Pszemol wrote:
"Add Homonym" wrote in message
...

What I don't get is this: It was explained to me that the problem with
intense biological filtration is that it works to well, hence the
nitrate buildup. That makes sense. But if you slow things down,
relying only on live rock and sand for the first two stages, so that
the anaeobic bacteria in the sand and rock can keep up with killing
the nitrates, why do you not see at least a slight rise in ammonia and
or nitrites?
snip
So adding mechanical filtration and not cleaning it at least every
day not only improves aerobic conversion, but also ADDS amount
of the organic gunk bacteria is feeding on by converting living
tisue or detritus which could be eaten by worms in your tank with
food for your aerobic bacteria.


Ding Ding Ding - I think we have a winner here. THIS makes a lot of
sense. I had foam prefilters over my powerheards, over my skimmer
intake, and a foam block in my hang on power filter. I think what was
going on is exactly what you describe above.