Does plants increase your bio load??

[revengeishere]

I just read something about planted tanks, stating that the nitrifying bacteria colonies are smaller than an identical tank with the same fish, etc. that isnt planted. It is because the plants would consume the ammonia so therefore, the beacteria colonies doesnt have as much ammonia to feed on and so on.

So my theory is, will a planted tank increse your bioload in some ways?

Thanx.

 

[FroggyFox]

actually its the opposite. You're right that the nitrifying bacteria colonies don't need to be as large because the ammonia is absorbed by the plants, BUT that doesn't mean that the nitrifying bacteria colonies HAVE to be smaller...they can be just as large...therefore you can have a larger bioload in the tank. The plants usually reduce the effects of the bioload on the tank.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, heaven knows I'm not a plant person

 

[AmazonTankz]

^That sounds correct to me...

Your colonies don't have to grow as big as they would normally b/c of the extra work your plants do but if you need them to be...lets say if you have a big fish load then your colonies can get to be just as big as they nned to be. Your plants do not inhibit the size of bacteria colonies.