Marinepure and filtration

[Punchanello]

Hi all, I'm new to reefing although I've lurked on forums like Reefcentral for a long time learning as much as I can.

I've designed my system to limit the amount of hitch-hikers and unwanted organisms so have decided not to use live rock and won't have a DSB and will instead use Marinepure blocks as the primary method of biological filtration, coupled with a large refugium with macro-algae.

I watched a recent BRS video and was surprised to find that despite the anecdotal evidence of success using Marinepure, they were still unsure about whether Marinepure blocks actually provided an anaerobic zone for de-nitrification.

Are there any members who have had success using Marinepure, refugium and protein skimmers as their filtration? What has your experience been?

Thanks!

 

[bif24701]

Hi all, I'm new to reefing although I've lurked on forums like Reefcentral for a long time learning as much as I can.



I've designed my system to limit the amount of hitch-hikers and unwanted organisms so have decided not to use live rock and won't have a DSB and will instead use Marinepure blocks as the primary method of biological filtration, coupled with a large refugium with macro-algae.



I watched a recent BRS video and was surprised to find that despite the anecdotal evidence of success using Marinepure, they were still unsure about whether Marinepure blocks actually provided an anaerobic zone for de-nitrification.



Are there any members who have had success using Marinepure, refugium and protein skimmers as their filtration? What has your experience been?



Thanks!

MarinePure provides a lot of surface area in a smaller space, that's all.

Bacteria are the ones that can convert nitrate to nitrogen gas. If your system is prime for nitrate control them MarinePure will enhance that. It doesn't work on its own and can not do miracles.

With that said I have three blocks in my large sump and have to add extra nitrate to support my corals. I also add organic carbon (carbon dosing) to aid the process.

I think MarinePure is a great product. It's safe, very porous, and can Help control Nitrates.


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[firefly73]

if marine pure by its self worked to the point of no nitrates we would all be running it as a primary nitrate reduction tool.

we dont.

and i have yet to see a tank that has only mp tasked to do this.
is it effective to house %^$# loads of bacteria hell yeah
is it safe .... sure is
would it be use full in your system ....of course

is it 1 part of a wholistic management system. yes

 

[A sea K]

I'm a believer in the Marine pure blocks for nitrate control. 80 gal DT with a 40 gal sump using minimal rock in the display I decided to use a full 8x8x4 size block housed in the return section of my sump and shielded from direct flow as my research indicted the blocks would be most useful in a low flow environment if nitrate reduction was the goal. It has worked exceptionally well IMO and after 8 months my nitrate levels have remained undetectable to the extent I started manually dosing potassium nitrate as my corals while otherwise healthy are somewhat pale and exhibit slow growth.

 

[bif24701]

I'm a believer in the Marine pure blocks for nitrate control. 80 gal DT with a 40 gal sump using minimal rock in the display I decided to use a full 8x8x4 size block housed in the return section of my sump and shielded from direct flow as my research indicted the blocks would be most useful in a low flow environment if nitrate reduction was the goal. It has worked exceptionally well IMO and after 8 months my nitrate levels have remained undetectable to the extent I started manually dosing potassium nitrate as my corals while otherwise healthy are somewhat pale and exhibit slow growth.

Just another happy satisfied MarinePure user!


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[Punchanello]

Yes, I understand it's not the block itself but the anaerobic bacteria. Presumably that's no different to what is happening deep in liverock. I guess my question is, with so many people now using products like Real Reef for aquascaping, are they actually relying on products like Marinepure to do what liverock traditionally does. House anaerobic zones for bacteria to populate and process nitrates? If not, how are people with minimal rockscapes or no live rock at all running their aquariums?

 

[crazycolt42]

I think this is a great question. I watched that BRS video as well, and it was interesting to see the spike in nitrates near the end. Let me start by saying I do not have system up and running yet, but have read a lot much like you obviously have. I want to do a minimalist landscape. I want plenty of negative space and do not want to shell out all the $$ to go with 1-1.5# of LR per gallon. My tank is 150g! That would be outrageous! So, my plan is to use the MP for what we know it can do and that is house the bacteria to breakdown ammonia and nitrite. The MP should easily compensate for inadequate amounts of LR in the display to sustain the bioload. For nitrate, I was sold on BRS's research on Chaeto in the refugium. I figure that should more than handle nitrate levels in my system even if the MP cannot. So I plan on a similar set-up as you. LR, but not 1-1.5#/gallon, MP, macroalgae refugium, and protein skimmer. I believe these main forms should work for ammonia, nitirite, nitrate, phosphate, and nutrient export.

 

[crazycolt42]

I know that many fish-only aquariums use wet-dry set-ups with bioballs (ATM comes to mind) to address the ammonia and nitrite, but nitrate has to be addressed in those systems through protein skimming, water changes, and feeding routine. FOWLR tanks again, very similar I think and I have not read where MP has definitively has been able to handle nitrate on its own without skimming, water changes, basic husbandry, feeding habits, and stocking list being considered or utilized as well. I'm sure you have read where the use of ceramic rings and bioballs are not recommended in reef systems because they are "nitrate factories". I am going to assume that to be the case with MP to be safe and make sure I have other means to control nitrate for now. This is not intended to discount the claims by other reefers that MP has done wonders for their nitrate levels, but I am not completely convinced that is always going to be the case. Not yet.

 

[A sea K]

For nitrate, I was sold on BRS's research on Chaeto in the refugium. I figure that should more than handle nitrate levels in my system even if the MP cannot. So I plan on a similar set-up as you. LR, but not 1-1.5#/gallon, MP, macroalgae refugium, and protein skimmer. I believe these main forms should work for ammonia, nitirite, nitrate, phosphate, and nutrient export.

FWIW I started with chaeto in my refugium and it grew fast needing regular trimming. Once the MP block had colonized with bacteria the chaeto stopped growing entirely and as of last week has been removed from the system. I have also doubled my daily dose of nitrate (now up to 1ppm daily) in an attempt to register any nitrate at all in my testing.

 

[crazycolt42]

FWIW I started with chaeto in my refugium and it grew fast needing regular trimming. Once the MP block had colonized with bacteria the chaeto stopped growing entirely and as of last week has been removed from the system. I have also doubled my daily dose of nitrate (now up to 1ppm daily) in an attempt to register any nitrate at all in my testing.

Wow, that is convincing. How long about did it take for the MP to colonize? Where in your sump do you keep your MP? Do you think that the anerobic bacteria were able to out-compete the Chaeto for nutrients thus starving the chaeto? That is interesting for sure. I could save myself time and money by simply adding in MP and not having to mess with a grow light and chaeto. I could use the refugium section for other things. This is why I still am holding off on purchasing all the components of my system yet. Seems like just when I have it figured out, someone else's knowledge and experience has me re-thinking my set-up:hmm3:

 

[ryeguyy84]

When I upgraded from my 60G to a 90G I used just the rock from the 60G and a large MP block. it's been about 6 months and no issues at all. in fact I don't show any nitrates. I also carbon dose so I didn't show any nitrates before either. no change is good change for me.

 

[reefcoops]

Do you have to clean the marinepure media, or let the bacteria grow similar to live rock?


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[bif24701]

Do you have to clean the marinepure media, or let the bacteria grow similar to live rock?


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I would advise in fact to never touch it, just let it do its thing. You don't want it to get completely covered in detritus or sand but other than that it never needs maintenance.


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[Punchanello]

Seems like just when I have it figured out, someone else's knowledge and experience has me re-thinking my set-up:hmm3:

That's been my experience too. In a way I'm grateful. I'd done a bunch of reading already but if I'd have gone out and bought what I thought was the right option 6 or 12 months ago I'd probably be in trouble right now.

From what I know now, this hobby is a huge responsibility and I'm just not going to end up regretting it because I didn't do my research or rushed it.

 

[A sea K]

Wow, that is convincing. How long about did it take for the MP to colonize? Where in your sump do you keep your MP? Do you think that the anerobic bacteria were able to out-compete the Chaeto for nutrients thus starving the chaeto? That is interesting for sure. I could save myself time and money by simply adding in MP and not having to mess with a grow light and chaeto. I could use the refugium section for other things. This is why I still am holding off on purchasing all the components of my system yet. Seems like just when I have it figured out, someone else's knowledge and experience has me re-thinking my set-up:hmm3:

Tank is currently 8 months old MOL and when I first set up the tank I moved all of my livestock, rock, coral and sand from my existing 30 gal DT plus a few more pieces of dry rock and sand to balance out the DT aesthetics. The cheato grew well (also from the 30gal) right from the start and the growth slowed noticeably about 2 months ago and has basically quit growing at all.
The block is in my return section and is shielded from any direct flow as it is my understanding that it is more efficient at nitrate reduction when used in this manner and in my experience I find it to be true.

 

[crazycolt42]

Tank is currently 8 months old MOL and when I first set up the tank I moved all of my livestock, rock, coral and sand from my existing 30 gal DT plus a few more pieces of dry rock and sand to balance out the DT aesthetics. The cheato grew well (also from the 30gal) right from the start and the growth slowed noticeably about 2 months ago and has basically quit growing at all.
The block is in my return section and is shielded from any direct flow as it is my understanding that it is more efficient at nitrate reduction when used in this manner and in my experience I find it to be true.

Thank You for the info:beer:

 

[crazycolt42]

That's been my experience too. In a way I'm grateful. I'd done a bunch of reading already but if I'd have gone out and bought what I thought was the right option 6 or 12 months ago I'd probably be in trouble right now.

From what I know now, this hobby is a huge responsibility and I'm just not going to end up regretting it because I didn't do my research or rushed it.

I could not agree more! Don't even get me started on lighting...