Ok,

Nitrate NO3

Nitrite NO2

Nitrogen N2

Bacteria in a low oxygen environment takes oxygen
away from NO3 making it NO2, and then bacteria takes
oxygen from NO2, making it N2.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets


Peter Pan wrote on 5/17/2007 7:32 PM:
Chemistry was never my strong suit, thats why I needed someone to break it
down for me. In other words I have no clue as to what you just wrote
"Wayne Sallee" wrote in message
link.net...
You should own at least one good book on reef keeping. Any book on reef
keeping will explain denitrification.

Basically it is bacteria in low oxygen environments like down in the sand,
and deep in the live rock. The oxygen is very low there, and so the
bacteria takes oxygen from nitrates, and converts it to nitrites, and then
converts the nitrites into nitrogen gas.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets


Peter Pan wrote on 5/17/2007 4:14 PM:
Denitrification (low oxygen) reduces nitrates.
Thanks Wayne, can you explain Denitrification for me? Does this mean
adding macro algea?
The end result is I would like to reduce my nitrates. I keep them under
15pmm via 1/3 water changes each month. I was hoping there was a way I
could do even less and get the same results