Biological filtration in a planted tank

[Genahanney]

Hello! According to Amano, powerful biological filtration is necessary, the entire filter is completely filled with biological filler. But for what? After all, dense planting of plants eats up all the ammonium and the plants themselves are a biological filter?

 

[_Maq_]

the entire filter is completely filled with biological filler.

As far as I know, Amano used two media: one for biological filtration, and activated carbon for chemical filtration.
Plants indeed take up ammonium for their nutrition but plants themselves do not remove dissolved organic compounds. They help to host microbes in their rhizosphere which do decompose organics, though. In that way they enhance "biological filtration".
With or without biological filtration, you still have to do regular water changes. Filtration through activated carbon can help partially but not completely.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

According to Amano, powerful biological filtration is necessary, the entire filter is completely filled with biological filler....dense planting of plants eats up all the ammonium and the plants themselves are a biological filter?

I think most aquarium based literature underestimates the effectiveness of <"plant / microbe"> biofiltration.

The prime metric in nitrification <"is dissolved oxygen"> and plants are, massively, <"net oxygen producers">, so even if we ignore <"direct uptake of fixed nitrogen"> by the plants? It is still better to have a planted tank than not.

Have a look at <"Is expensive bio media worth it?">, it is a long thread, but well worth a read.

cheers Darrel