Hey RC Ppe. I have a fluval FX6 been running my 125 for the last 14 months. Everything is great. I dont have room for a sump at this point which is why I have a canister. My question is can I put Bio balls to lower my nitrates as a media? I know I am supposed to have a reactor but hey I am on a budget at this point. My water changes keep my Nitrates at 20 PPM but I would like to get them down to maybe like 5 any thoughts? would it be a NO NO to put these in my canister as a media?
Fluval FX6 Dual Role
- Thread starter Deezill
- Start date
There is not going to be much that you can put in a canister to reduce nitrate. You will need places of low oxygen to get the anoxic bacteria going and ready to turn the NO3 into N gas.
You can use some activated carbon if you change it regularly. It will remove organics that otherwise would have entered the N cycle. If you don't change it regularly, then the organics that the carbon traps will get broken down anyway.
Your liverock and sand can do a good job of this providing anoxic places for bacteria. If you started with dry/dead rock, it can take a number of years for the liverock to be all that functional, but it will get there.
You can use some activated carbon if you change it regularly. It will remove organics that otherwise would have entered the N cycle. If you don't change it regularly, then the organics that the carbon traps will get broken down anyway.
Your liverock and sand can do a good job of this providing anoxic places for bacteria. If you started with dry/dead rock, it can take a number of years for the liverock to be all that functional, but it will get there.
Diana A
Member
I use a fx6. The only thing inside the filter is Seachem Matrix, and Marine Pure 1/2" spheres. I have a cpr overflow box where I keep BRS Rox carbon in a small bag, my intake of HOB skimmer and intake of the filter. I created a sock for the overflow box. The intake for the filter is below the sock.
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