Seems most folks were using siporax instead of matrix. I'm looking at a 12x24" reactor for matrix and was looking to see if anyone was seeing results with this method.
Matrix (and siporax) questions, to keep from derailing Sahin's thread.....
- Thread starter pstank1
- Start date
Seems most folks were using siporax instead of matrix. I'm looking at a 12x24" reactor for matrix and was looking to see if anyone was seeing results with this method.
nemodan
New member
Dave , I have been using Matrix for many months now. I have Matrix and Macro algaes as the only and absolutely way of nutrient export. You can take a look to my thread and ask me any question that you want. It is just a few pages. Look for the postings about the fuge and Matrix. In the last page you will see a new fuge. I have the Matrix in Media Reactors, in a HOB fuge and in the media rack of the display tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2522791
Cheers
Daniel
nemodan
New member
I have a LOT of Matrix and have not seen any effect on pH.
My pH fluctuate with the day/night cycle of the photosynthesis.
Moser
Active member
Siporax is just a ceramic glass material that supplies surface area for bacterial growth.
It doesn't actually absorb ammonia or process waste directly.
It's a bit like adding huge amounts of dry rock- when it goes live it adds huge amounts of filtration capacity.
I would make sure the media us clean before you add it- I imagine dirty Siporax may drop pH, but it shouldn't otherwise...
Mo
It doesn't actually absorb ammonia or process waste directly.
It's a bit like adding huge amounts of dry rock- when it goes live it adds huge amounts of filtration capacity.
I would make sure the media us clean before you add it- I imagine dirty Siporax may drop pH, but it shouldn't otherwise...
Mo
The pH drop I am mentioning is not due to chemical properties of the material, but as a result of denitrification process..
Well, my experiences with methanol denitrator indicates denitrification lowers Ph and increases Alk., as also reported by many others. Although there is no artificial carbon entry here, some naturally existing organic carbon is still in the water. Thats why I wonder how pH behaves in other tanks, after addition of matrix or siporax.
Thanks Giovanni, was it 2.5 ppm, before adding siporaxes?
For comparison, my system is 90g and 6L of siporax added.
Can you describe ( or better take some pics if possible) where they are sitting? I am particularly wondering the flow around them.
Giovanni
AKA Flippa
Yep 2.5 before. I describe how I have mine plumed in post 173 of this thread. This is not permanent for them. I will move them into the sump when my nitrates start to drop and I can remove some live rock. My goal it so replace as much LR with siporax as I can. I hate the way detritus collect in the LR. I have another 10L siporax to add once this 10L has cycled fully.
fessoclown
Dis-Membered
I did a group buy for a bunch of us here in Toronto. IU was sent 30 Litres loose in a box as I posted earlier. I weighed it all out and came out short by 3 Litres. The Austrian guy is going to make good on the missing Litres plus send me a couple extra for my trouble which is great.
I built an eggcrate box and started to stack them all nice.... I made it to about 3 minutes before I just said "bucket" and just dumped 4 Litres in. I put a top on the cage so I can just shake and spin it to rice. I tore out the filtersock holder from my sump and put the cage in that space. (I hated changing filter socks and the tray sat empty most of the time...lol)
I built an eggcrate box and started to stack them all nice.... I made it to about 3 minutes before I just said "bucket" and just dumped 4 Litres in. I put a top on the cage so I can just shake and spin it to rice. I tore out the filtersock holder from my sump and put the cage in that space. (I hated changing filter socks and the tray sat empty most of the time...lol)
Moser
Active member
How long after did it start to drop?
an immediate drop I dont think is denitirifcation related.
Thanks
Mo
No it was not immediate. But I was able to realize drop a bit late (via teststrips). So all I can say that it comes down if its close to maturing.
Goal is exactly same here. Only thing is, you have to give fishes somewhere to hide after rock removal.
Do you have any chance to check for 'nitrite' levels in siporax bucket? It appears like a good indicator of progress.
If you have access to nitrite test "and" some methanol, I may give you some other advises for fast maturing.
The best way to do this is create a recirculating container (to ensure all the siporaxes accessed to nitrate, and recirculating may mean just a small enough powerhead to mix water). Then, you have to stop flushing the siporax container with tank water and let it work standalone, for a while. If you do not see and nitrites but see just nitrates, means there is very little progress on maturing way, yet. If you see same amount of nitrates and some nitrites, means its working on nitrates. If you see elevated levels of both! Nitrates and nitrites, you can be sure it will finish soon. If you do not see elevated NO3 levels, it means there is a limitation. This can be carbon source, and fixed by adding methanol. After adding the limiting chemical, both nitrates and nitrites will come to zero in short time.
I'll give that a go, thanks.
Edit: £16.99 for 1L 15mm Siporax, £11.95 shipping to Canada, £3.29 import fees. That sounds pretty reasonable to me.
None ship to Canada.
You can pick up sintered glass media at many Pet Stores in Canada ask for the Hydor Sintered Bio Rings.
