Nitrates can come from a plethora of places, hence the reason so many aquarists experience problems keeping inferior nitrate levels under wraps. They receive what oxygen they need from breaking down nitrates allowing the bacteria to steal oxygen atoms for respiration from the nitrate molecules. This type of bacteria resides in deep sand beds or in areas deep within the porous areas of live rock. This is when anaerobic bacteria break down nitrates into nitrogen gas which ultimately leaves our aquariums into the environment. This last stage is more commonly known as denitrification. Once completed, a different group of bacteria must be present to finalize the nitrogen cycle. This bacteria is called nitrobacteria and is responsible for breaking down the nitrites in to the least toxic form of the cycle known as nitrates.īoth Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria are aerobic forms that require oxygen to carry out the process called nitrification. A new form of bacteria is then established to carry on the cycle. After a period of time, nitrosomonas bacteria will grow and break down ammonia into nitrites which is still highly toxic in its single form. During this stage, most invertebrates, fish and corals could not survive.
The cycle begins with ammonia, which is the most toxic form in the nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen cycle is a process where a chain reaction takes place with both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria being employed to carry out this important cycle. I will address proven nitrate reduction techniques to make your life a little easier in creating and maintaining a beautiful and successful aquarium. However, nitrate reduction doesn’t have to be a time-consuming project requiring advanced calculus formulas or statistical charts and probabilities to be successful. Providing the best conditions for livestock while limiting such debilitating nuisances like diatoms, cyanobacteria, bryopsis, valonia and other forms of microalgae is an ongoing process.īelieve it or not, nitrates are the primary culprit in microalgae growth and outbreaks.