Marinepure bio blocks

First video at 5:15 shows how much flow can go through it, to me this means it's that much more important to have it in a low flow area but I am new so please take everything I say with a grain of salt.



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Low flow, low oxygen. I have another criteria to speed up the process even further. Keep it in the darkest area of your sump, you will see improvement, and NO ALGAE will ever grow that will covers the microscopic holes in it.
 
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hmm could be the algae film on my block causing the air bubbles, unfortunately there is no way to tell right if its from denitrification because I have biopellets and chaeto in place so nitrate reduction could be because of them.

I could somehow collect the gas and see how it reacts to a flame assuming its either oxygen or nitrogen the flame will burn brighter or be put out.
 
I could somehow collect the gas and see how it reacts to a flame assuming its either oxygen or nitrogen the flame will burn brighter or be put out.

Would be a fun experiment for sure...

Also, if you have a light on your sump, you might try blocking the light from hitting the marine pure block and see if the algae (and maybe the bubbles) clear up after a few weeks.
 
Much more efficient due to the super porous nature of the media and also has the possibility of nitrate removal which is a plus.

I just set up my tank and wish I had known about it a few weeks ago, would have put a few sheets under my sand bed =).

As i mentioned before, the keys to successful denitrification will be low flow and if possible oxygen free water and absent of light.

So then, if my primary goal for the Marine pure block is denitrification then the best way to use it would be lay it in the bottom of my sumps refugium area and cover it with sand? It seems to meet all the criteria, low flow, oxygen free and no light.
 
So then, if my primary goal for the Marine pure block is denitrification then the best way to use it would be lay it in the bottom of my sumps refugium area and cover it with sand? It seems to meet all the criteria, low flow, oxygen free and no light.

Yes, but covering with sand is more or less like having DSB. In a long run the deepest area might trap toxic gasses, the same reason why reefers don't mess up with DSB during maintenance.
 
Yes, but covering with sand is more or less like having DSB. In a long run the deepest area might trap toxic gasses, the same reason why reefers don't mess up with DSB during maintenance.

What then would be the ideal way to implement the media with the idea of denitrification as the primary goal?
 
What then would be the ideal way to implement the media with the idea of denitrification as the primary goal?

I don't owned one so i can't answer your question based on experience. I used different approach but same basic methodology, so roughly i know how it works. Block in a sump approach will functions as intended, but getting a low dissolved oxigen water to pass through the media is difficult, infact having skimmer maximises oxygen level in the sump. Besides that, most of us have macro algae in the sump with growing light in it. Having a "live" block with algae growing light will promote algae on it when conditions are met, covering the pores and reduces the effectiveness over time. There is no way having a low flow in a sump, unless you have a separate baffle where only a fraction of water flows thru it.
 

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There is no way having a low flow in a sump, unless you have a separate baffle where only a fraction of water flows thru it.

I have pretty low flow going over my Marine Pure block in my sump.

I have two separate sump tanks under my DT, connected via short bulkheaded 2" pipe between the two. Overflow from right side of the DT goes into left side of the right side sump tank into filter sock (the right sump tank to left sump tank connector pipe is also on the left side of that right sump tank.

My MP block is placed in the right side of that right sump tank. I also have my bio pellet reactor drawing and returning water from that same right side sump tank, so there is a little flow caused by the DT overflow going into the filter sock and also the bio pellet reactor return line. But it is not very much flow at or near the MP block.

My skimmer / GFO-Carbon reactor / return pump are all in the left side sump tank. So perhaps my twin sump tank setup works for how I am using the MP block. I really didn't plan it that way... I had to place two sump tanks because the doors on my stand would not allow me to put a single large sump without complete tear down and lifting the stand over a single large sump.

(and as mentioned before, no light on the sump tanks)
 
Dear kozmic,

There are many ways to achieve the intended denitrification. My setup of twin bacteria chamber works because:-

1st chamber bacteria tower uses oxygen under aerobic nitrogen cycle.
2nd chamber bacteria tower under low oxygen condition to perform anaerobic denitrification.

Whatever method that confirms to the criteria mentioned will works.
 
djbon - I am not sure I understand how my use of MP in my sump with low flow relates to your denitrification chambers? My previous post what just to show that you can have low flow in a sump.

On an unrelated side note - I once stopped in Kota Kinabalu on my way from KL to Jakarta. :thumbsup:
 
Kozmic - if reduction of nitrate does happen in your sump, then at least one of the criteria is fullfilled. Absent of minimum light exposure does help nitrifying bacteria to function better. Yours worked could be due to low flow, adequate bacteria colony of proper type and availabilty of bacteria food that accelerate denitrifying process. Do you dose carbon or other bacteria food?

Glad to know you have been to my place before. We have the biggest and most diversified coral reefs in the world but i have almost nothing in my tank :D
 
I have a block of MP ready for my new tank, but will be using it for nitrification rather than denitrification. Then using two upflow algae scrubbers to take care of the nitrates and phosphates. If you want denitrification then an option is to put it in a seperate tank/container and feed with a low flow pump.
 
Thank you for the continuing discussion, (been mia without power for the past fed days[thanks to Hermine]) I'll have to give it some thought and decide on best approach for my particular system.
 
We have the biggest and most diversified coral reefs in the world but i have almost nothing in my tank :D

Got nothing to add about MP blocks since I use Sera Siporax mixed with Ista media. Just wanted to say I took my PADI classes in KK. Great dive and the crazy orange grilled chicken wing skewers were delicious. Hope to go back again.
 
Got nothing to add about MP blocks since I use Sera Siporax mixed with Ista media. Just wanted to say I took my PADI classes in KK. Great dive and the crazy orange grilled chicken wing skewers were delicious. Hope to go back again.

Too bad KK's reef system is in recovery after being pounded by fish bombing long ago. We just declared a few million hectares of sea area as protected park somewhere north. We are famous as seafood heaven as well :D.

I'm building another bigger tower for local friend, will be online in few days. Time will tell whether i can replicate my success on his tanks.
 
You guys know that only the 8x8x4 block is the only one they clam might even be able to preform denitrification and even then I suspect it's ify at best information. Most likely BS or hype. I wouldn't expect any more out of one of these blocks then what you are going to get out of putting rocks in your sump. Does any one have information to even back one of these block could cause denitrification?
 
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SFish, any calcium based rocks with micro pores will denitrify nitrate provided that there are enough colony to do the job. As long as the condition permits, it will do the job satisfactorily.
 
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