Can sump reduce nitrates?

[poormanisme]

i know deep sand beds are often used in marine setups for filtration. Could those same principles be applied in a freshwater sump with a deep gravel bed. I often see people post that gravel over a certain depth will contain anoxic pockets and this would be bad if a fish were to be exposed to it. But could it be done in a sump where a fish doesn't have access. And if so wouldn't the anoxic areas "feed on nitrates." I have no idea if it would work or not but it would be nice if did. Would give me a reason to get that nice 125 gal reaf ready tank I've been eyeballin' Just wanted to know if anyone has tried something like this or if my reasoning is completely off, wouldn't be the first time,LOL

 

[RTR]

I have no experience with DSB in FW, but plenums do work in FW, so DSB could as well. I think plant sumps work more easily however, and help with more than just nitrates.

http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/veggie1.shtml


http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/veggie.shtml


http://www.thekrib.com/Filters/plant.html

HTH

 

[poormanisme]

Thanks RTR, excellent info. makes me wonder if a DSB with a bunch of floating plants like water sprite or hornwort would be even better. Im starting to like the idea of a sump more and more with every minute of research.

 

[RTR]

Sumps are extra expense and trouble to set initially, but if you do it properly in that, afterward they can be remarkably useful accessories. Originally I only used sumps only on large tanks (for W/Ds). Over the years I keep moving toward using them on smaller and smaller tanks. My current smallest tank + sump is a 30 with a 15 for a sump.