Freshwater Live Rock

[Killerdrgn]

Hi i was wondering if there is a freshwater equivalent of Marine Live rock.
One that completes the nitrogen cycle of breaking down nitrates anaerobically into nitrogen and oxygen.
Is there such a thing for freshwater or is it a marine bacteria only?

 

[hondamx]

Nope, nothing really like that. I just add a some fish food to start the cycle. Very easy.

 

[wataugachicken]

i'm pretty sure it's marine only. deep sand beds used in saltwater for that purpose generally just produce hydrogen sulfide and other poisonous gases in freshwater.

 

[chunkoblue]

Hi i was wondering if there is a freshwater equivalent of Marine Live rock.
One that completes the nitrogen cycle of breaking down nitrates anaerobically into nitrogen and oxygen.
Is there such a thing for freshwater or is it a marine bacteria only?

There is... in natural waters (like in lakes) but the key is that these bacteria are anaerobic. These bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide and methane gas (put some waders on and tromp through some marshlands and you will smell it!) So in aquariums with circulation and aeration these bacteria do not get a chance to get established or grow to the amount necessary to remove all nitrates produced. Even with a really deep substrate in an aquarium I'm not sure this could occur.

 

[Jaysn]

Look into a coil denitrator if you're interested in something like this.

 

[Volenti]

Plants will use nitrate, even better they'll use ammonia (and prefer it) before it even has a chance to become nitrites/nitrates. Floating plants (salvinia, water lettuce ect) are good at this since they don't need CO2 injection for fast growth, only light.