Ok, for all of you having denitrification questions...

Ok, denitrification converts nitrate into nitrite into ammonia, then into nitrogen gas- in anaerobic conditions. This does not produce hydrogen sulfide, those are sulfur bacteria... That reduce sulfur. These are usually present when there is not nitrate, oxygen, or any organic carbon source such as CO2 and light. Basically, all there is- is sulfur. There is also no sugar. I use prolifera, which further reduces chances of such toxic bacteria in any nitrate deficit areas of your tank, plus it also encourages plant growth.

So, my expertise on here, has been denitrification. I want to kinda tell you what has worked for me and what has not. Denitrate keeps my nitrate at a steady 5-10 PPM, but right now I am treating for ICH and my nitrate has spiked to 50ish PPM using metroplex.

OK.

1) You are able to get denitrification working using denitrate; you just may have to use a lot of it. I am hoping that when I start using continuums products, that it will require less of it and I will keep you posted on this! I do not notice any hydrogen sulfide smells, however, most recently I have started using bacter clean F, which seems to outcompete any such bacteria and keeps my aquarium very clean. Since I have plants my goal is not to completely control the nitrate, but rather just to keep it within a range.

2) Now, secondly, what destroys the denitrification process (approximately half at the first time, then steadily increases in the effects): antibacterials, including metronidazole and biocides, such as seachem excel, formaldehyde products, increasing the flow too much on your denitrate tower, paraguard, and formalin, I am sure there are others, I just haven't tried them.

It seems to take longer for denitrification bacteria to establish than nitrification bacteria, because I think first there needs to be nitrification bacteria. So, it can take up to 1 month for them to re-establish from those products. Sorry!! And if you are first starting it, it can take up to 2 months to get established.

Also, I want to say that beyond this there is no maintenance of the denitrification. And the net result is that nitrate stays controlled and there is less maintenance. It is a more self-sustaining ecosystem; more like nature. And I was able to get it work without bacteria clean f and prolifera, these are just to enhance denitrification, are preventative measures, and increase plant growth. So, I would think you can too.

 

K




Nah I'm just kidding! But when you said (in the last paragraph) that "it seems to take longer for the denitrification bacteria to establish that nitrification bacteria," I'm just thinking about how you used the word "seems." Have there been any real tests about this? I'm genuinely curious.

 

Oh, just because my tank is usually cycled before I can control the nitrate. Even when I set them up at the same time. I did that on my 55 gallon. like what happens is that first there is nitrite then later there is nitrate, then nitrate bacteria can grow. However, if you add bacteria after you stop medicating or something it grows fast.

with most of those products, you destroy some of the bacteria which are nitrifying. They have to catch up first.
Let me explain better, for example some denitrifying bacteria can only convert nitrite to nitrogen gas. This would require there to be bacteria which convert ammonia to nitrite. Well some of those products kill some of the bacteria which convert ammonia to nitrite. So, what is required is for the nitrifying bacteria to catch up* before denitrification can occur.

 

Aha, I see. Thanks for all this.

 

No problem! But some of the products mentioned more strongly affect denitrifying bacteria, like metroplex, others are just more general bactericides like seachem excel or formalin. So, with something like metroplex you would expect it to more strongly affect denitrifying bacteria; and in my case has destroyed most of them, given my nitrate is so high! It also gave me small ammonia and nitrite spikes (around .25-.5).

 

No problem! But some of the products mentioned more strongly affect denitrifying bacteria, like metroplex, others are just more general bactericides like seachem excel or formalin. So, with something like metroplex you would expect it to more strongly affect denitrifying bacteria; and in my case has destroyed most of them, given my nitrate is so high! It also gave me small ammonia and nitrite spikes (around .25-.5).

Really? Oh okay, thanks for the warning

 

Yeah also my fish are healthy, and some of the most sensitive fish do fine- clown loaches! I only am treating, because I introduced sick fish to my main tank. I no longer use most of those treatment products. Now I just use metroplex and prazipro. But, I just wanted to let you know my experience.

However, I am no longer buying anymore fish!

Also DO NOT use seachem pristine, I cannot get the darn sulfur bacteria growth to subside, in that tank, I recommend using continuum bacteria clean F; I tried Pristine a week ago in that tank. I think in time I can fix it, but there is definitely sulfur fixing bacteria in that product!

OK updates! I AM NOW USING THIS! I USE THIS CONTINUUM NITRYX + BACTERIAL CLEAN F + PROLIFERA, BUT PART OF THOSE TWO PRODUCTS ARE DEFINITELY FOR PLANTS AND FISH HEALTH AND NOT JUST DENITRIFICATION