Two different porous ceramic carriers with immobilized activated sludge comprised a stationary filling of the reactors. Municipal wastewater was treated at hydraulic retention times from 15 to 70 mm and internal circulation capacity of 20, 40 and 60 dm(3).h(-1). Depending on hydraulic retention time, the sludge yield ranged from 0.138 to 0.066 g TSS.g COD(-1) in reactor 1 and from 0.175 to 0.107 g TSS.g COD(-1) in reactor II. An increase in volumetric loading rate and internal circulation capacity caused a reduction in sludge yield. A decrease in the sludge yield corresponded to an increase in the ratio of endogenous to substrate respiration by the immobilized biomass.