I second Kenneth on that one, keep your filters clean, a clogged filter
would just dirty up the water with high DOC. You would probably need to add
Nitrates sooner or later.
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**

"Kenneth Ho" wrote in message
...
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I am probably wrong, but my understanding is the main reason for having a
anaerobic bacteria culture in a filter is for decreasing excessive
nitrate,
but in a healthy planted tank, you probably need more nitrate than you
fish
produce.

Cheers
Kenneth

"Adam Gottschalk" ¦b¶l¥ó
¤¤¼¶¼g...

In "A practical guide to choosing your aquarium plants", Peter Hiscock
advocates letting one of the sponges in a canister filter clog up so as
to allow for anaerobic bacteria to develop there, as a complement to the
anaerobic bacteria which are (hopefully) building up in the substrate.
For the same reasons, he advocates a flow rate of half the typical
recommendation. He writes, "The ease with which water flows through
[medium/large-grade inert gravel] substrates will remove nutrients,
create oxygen-rich conditions, and cool plant roots, all of which will
severely hinder plant growth." Obviously, he is a strong advocate of
substrate heaters. Published in 2001 by Barron's. I think it's a solid
book. How do the above assertions sit with various folks' experiences?



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