Nitrate dropped to zero

[chevyjaxon]

Originally Posted by Myka

No. In freahwater, the only way to get rid of nitrates is waterchanges or a heavily planted tank (plants feed on nitrate).

In saltwater, you have the aerobic bacteria (on the rock surfaces, and sand surfaces, etc) that convert ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate. The live rock hosts the anaerobic bacteria (in the middle of the rock, and under the sand) necessary to denitrate. The anaerobic bacteria convert nitrate to free nitrogen which is then released into the atmosphere.

Quite true this is why I keep a power head moving the water at the top of the tank it helps release the nitrogen and also helps bring in oxygen