BKREEFBABY
New member
Love the new tank very clean and minimalist
Matrix (and siporax) questions, to keep from derailing Sahin's thread.....
- Thread starter pstank1
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pfoxgrover
New member
My target for Nitrate is 1-3 ppm. To get this I use an algae turf scrubber and dose just enough vodka/vinegar to get the Nitrates in my target range. I could never do this when I was running biopellets no matter how small the amount of pellets was that I used.
I added about 7 liters of Matrix to a moderate flow area of the sump for my 240 gallon system to try to reduce the about of carbon I'm dosing. The matrix has only been in the tank for about 2 months so I will wait and see if there is any change in carbon dosing.
I added about 7 liters of Matrix to a moderate flow area of the sump for my 240 gallon system to try to reduce the about of carbon I'm dosing. The matrix has only been in the tank for about 2 months so I will wait and see if there is any change in carbon dosing.
Matrix
Matrix
How is the matrix working out?
I had 2 liters of siporax after some research on my 330 but after seeing the cost of siporax (more large pond version) I also added 4liters of seachem pond matrix in a lower flow area of my sump.
After 3 months of nitrates being in the 80 range I ran carbon and 2 liters siporax and 4 liters pond matrix. not until the second month did it really start to come down. I run socks so detritus build up is very minimal. I also have it in 1 liter bags so I can pull them and shake them and loosen any build up.
I now use 6 liters of regular matrix:
Nitrates are still over 5 but considering were I started and the fact that I have cutoff carbon I am happy with results. I now have 4 more liters of pond matrix for a total of 8 liters of pond matrix 6 liters of regular matrix and 2 liters of the smellier Siporax.
Matrix
How is the matrix working out?
I had 2 liters of siporax after some research on my 330 but after seeing the cost of siporax (more large pond version) I also added 4liters of seachem pond matrix in a lower flow area of my sump.
After 3 months of nitrates being in the 80 range I ran carbon and 2 liters siporax and 4 liters pond matrix. not until the second month did it really start to come down. I run socks so detritus build up is very minimal. I also have it in 1 liter bags so I can pull them and shake them and loosen any build up.
I now use 6 liters of regular matrix:
Nitrates are still over 5 but considering were I started and the fact that I have cutoff carbon I am happy with results. I now have 4 more liters of pond matrix for a total of 8 liters of pond matrix 6 liters of regular matrix and 2 liters of the smellier Siporax.
pfoxgrover
New member
I have not tested Nitrate since Dec 26 and it was at 2.0 then. My dosage of DIY NOPOX has been steady at 16ml per day for the 240 gallon system. I will test again soon and see if they have gone up. Sounds like it is working for you. I like the idea of using the siporax but the pond matrix is so much cheaper. I have considered getting some of the Eheim substrate pro glass media as it is also very affordable. My sump is pretty full right now but I have an upgrade planned so I will probably get more media then.
bif24701
New member
I have two MarinePure blocks in my 100g sump, I run a RW-4 for added flow and my nitrites dropped like a rock when I removed my fish to QT and now fallow. I've had to add nitrate every week to maintain 5ppm, otherwise my corals turn pale very quickly.
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ReefKeeper64
Wanna be a reefkeeper
Make sure you are using enough Siporax to get the results you are looking for. Carlinhos Moreno uses 140 liters of Siporax to manage his 2000 liter TOTM setup. That works out to 26 liters of Siporax per 100 gallons of water. While this ratio is significantly higher ratio than what the manufacturer says is required, it is inexpensive, safe, and the results speak for themselves.
See
"I got about 140 liter of Siporax Pond in 4 perforated boxes (see pictures)"
and
"Display gross capacity is close to 1,000 liter again, and I have another 1,000 liter of water circulating through the complete filtration system".
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month
See
"I got about 140 liter of Siporax Pond in 4 perforated boxes (see pictures)"
and
"Display gross capacity is close to 1,000 liter again, and I have another 1,000 liter of water circulating through the complete filtration system".
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month
mannyhernz
Member
Thinking of adding some matrix, how does one determine how much to use? Does it go liter to gallon? Or does it depend on bioload?
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ReefKeeper64
Wanna be a reefkeeper
Yes, 26 liters of Siporax per 100 gallons and you will achieve results in short order. That's the approximate ratio that has proven most effective in many systems including the godfather of Siporax - Carlinhos Moreno, Sahin, myself and many others. You can use less and still get positive results as rovster and many others will attest but if you are looking for a home run in less time and don't mind spending a little extra up front, you won't be disappointed.
Think of Siporax media as a form of low cost, space saving rock that requires relatively little space. Like rock, you can never have too much of it but if you don't have enough, you may not have enough surface area in your system for bacteria to thrive. In my case, I have a minimal amount of live rock in my display tank and I make up for that with Siporax tucked away in the sump. MarinePure blocks essentially work the same way.
On a side note, pods love both medias so if you're looking to increase your pod population, you can't go wrong with either of them.
Think of Siporax media as a form of low cost, space saving rock that requires relatively little space. Like rock, you can never have too much of it but if you don't have enough, you may not have enough surface area in your system for bacteria to thrive. In my case, I have a minimal amount of live rock in my display tank and I make up for that with Siporax tucked away in the sump. MarinePure blocks essentially work the same way.
On a side note, pods love both medias so if you're looking to increase your pod population, you can't go wrong with either of them.
Last edited:
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Bioload and other filtration is going to determine that. No way there can be a set rule for it all. Every tank is different.
bif24701
New member
26l:100gallons?!!!!!!! 26liters!? Amazon sales 10l boxes for $199.99! You need 26 per 100 gallons?! Is that correct?!
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rtparty
Raise The Reef!
There is no way that can be right but the link from his post doesn't work.
bif24701
New member
In my size system that would be around 20 gallons of siporax!!!
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Ok
Ok
And I thought I had enough matrix (14 Liters) for my 330 gallon. I guess I should have ordered the 5 gallon
. All kidding aside I can see the reasons behind adding that much siporax and here is why.
With that much media bad events like a spike in No3 or Nitrate (Mass die off) can minimize the impact in change.
Also bacteria in water column can be a good source of nutrients for corals (Like carbon) but to adding that much media with out setting a benchmark might be a waste or can be potentially bad in the event of some mass die off which can result in to a bacteria bloom and oxygen depravation. More so since there is no scientific data only manufacture claims and usage suggestions.
I see the results in his case but not sure if it is the quantity of Siporax or other variables.
I my self might add more matrix but only 4 more liters as I am seeing results already.
Ok
And I thought I had enough matrix (14 Liters) for my 330 gallon. I guess I should have ordered the 5 gallon
. All kidding aside I can see the reasons behind adding that much siporax and here is why.With that much media bad events like a spike in No3 or Nitrate (Mass die off) can minimize the impact in change.
Also bacteria in water column can be a good source of nutrients for corals (Like carbon) but to adding that much media with out setting a benchmark might be a waste or can be potentially bad in the event of some mass die off which can result in to a bacteria bloom and oxygen depravation. More so since there is no scientific data only manufacture claims and usage suggestions.
I see the results in his case but not sure if it is the quantity of Siporax or other variables.
I my self might add more matrix but only 4 more liters as I am seeing results already.
I forgot to add seachem claims a surface area per liter of 700 m² vs 270 m² per liter of spirox. Not sure if that was covered. I have asked Seachem to please add to this. Topic of surface area was covered to a degree here.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24897281&postcount=20
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24897281&postcount=20
bif24701
New member
According to Seachem Matrix has more surface area than siporax? I assumed siporax would have been more.
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If you look around it seems highly debated. Siporax has been around a very long time and with great success in Freshwater. I now BRS provided number for rock and other medias but Siporax and Matrix have never been put to the test.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtbsCPlBnQg
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KtbsCPlBnQg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
ReefKeeper64
Wanna be a reefkeeper
Hey all, Here is the link http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/126-tank-of-the-month
If the link still does not work, search for keywords TOTM 2012 SIPORAX and you will find the article.
If the link still does not work, search for keywords TOTM 2012 SIPORAX and you will find the article.
ReefKeeper64
Wanna be a reefkeeper
Repost with corrected link:
Make sure you are using enough Siporax to get the results you are looking for. Carlinhos Moreno uses 140 liters of Siporax to manage his 2000 liter TOTM setup. That works out to 26 liters of Siporax per 100 gallons of water. While this ratio is significantly higher ratio than what the manufacturer says is required, it is inexpensive, safe, and the results speak for themselves.
See
"I got about 140 liter of Siporax Pond in 4 perforated boxes (see pictures)"
and
"Display gross capacity is close to 1,000 liter again, and I have another 1,000 liter of water circulating through the complete filtration system".
See http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/126-tank-of-the-month
Make sure you are using enough Siporax to get the results you are looking for. Carlinhos Moreno uses 140 liters of Siporax to manage his 2000 liter TOTM setup. That works out to 26 liters of Siporax per 100 gallons of water. While this ratio is significantly higher ratio than what the manufacturer says is required, it is inexpensive, safe, and the results speak for themselves.
See
"I got about 140 liter of Siporax Pond in 4 perforated boxes (see pictures)"
and
"Display gross capacity is close to 1,000 liter again, and I have another 1,000 liter of water circulating through the complete filtration system".
See http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/126-tank-of-the-month
ReefKeeper64
Wanna be a reefkeeper
Haha, Carlinhos Moreno uses 140 liters in his 530 gallon system so yes, you read correctly. If you haven't already, be sure to check out his TOTM article. Its a good read and there are several pictures of his Siporax containers.
$199 for 10 liters of Siporax? That's WAY expensive! Search ebay for "SIPORAX POND BIO RINGS 25mm FOR MARINE TANK, POND, SUMPS BIOLOGICAL FILTER MEDIA" and select the 25 liter option. There you will find it in 25 liter containers shipped to your door for just $175. MUCH CHEAPER THAT WAY.
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