Help Getting Started

[serratus]

Wow, it seems you guys are unanimous about not using a mechanical filter and going for a good protein skimmer.

I'm starting to learn that the nitrates are bad too and live rock filters that out. Now, here is where I am a bit confused and please point out if any of what I am saying is wrong: Live Rock as well as a cannister filter have bacteria that grows in them that converts ammonia into nitrite and then from nitrite to nitrate. So from what you are saying, is there a different bacteria that grows ONLY in the live rock that converts nitrate into nitrogen gas? These guys don't live in the cannister filter?

Second confusing point, whether you have a cannister filter or not, the amount of ammonia produced by the live stock will be the same which means the amount of available ammonia that gets converted into nitrite is the same. In turn, this means that cannister filter or not, the amount of nitrite available to convert into nitrate is the same. So how does the cannister filter INCREASE the nitrate levels? Wouldn't that be the same irregardless of cannister filter or not?

I don't mean to sound like I am arguing with you. I am not. It's just that I am confused and would like to find out why. It seems that all of you agree that cannister filters INCREASE nitrate levels so there must be some error in my thinking and that's why I am confused.