Matrix (and siporax) questions, to keep from derailing Sahin's thread.....

[bif24701]

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.

I have the room for it in my sump, that just seems like a lot. I have two MarinePure blocks in my 300g system that are getting it done but I don't have any fish in it. Going fallow. After I get all my fish and tangs grow out I'll need more nitrate processing power.

I would love to see that TOTM, could you post a link?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bif24701]

I have the room for it in my sump, that just seems like a lot. I have two MarinePure blocks in my 300g system that are getting it done but I don't have any fish in it. Going fallow. After I get all my fish and tangs grow out I'll need more nitrate processing power.

I would love to see that TOTM, could you post a link?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NM, found it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ReefKeeper64]

I have the room for it in my sump, that just seems like a lot. I have two MarinePure blocks in my 300g system that are getting it done but I don't have any fish in it. Going fallow. After I get all my fish and tangs grow out I'll need more nitrate processing power.

I would love to see that TOTM, could you post a link?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Google or Bing the following text and the article will come right up!

Reefkeeping Magazine Volume 10, Issue 8 August 2012 Tank of the Month
Carlinhos Moreno's 980L (252 US-gallon) Reef Aquarium

 

[Mr.Fishtank]

Is anyone dosing a carbon source to feed the bacteria? I have been using 3L in my 90 gallon for a few months now and is hasn't helped much. Will be getting 4 more liters tomorrow to make it 7L. Hopefully this helps. I was thinking to start adding some kind of carbon source to help keep the populations up. Any thoughts?

 

[bif24701]

Is anyone dosing a carbon source to feed the bacteria? I have been using 3L in my 90 gallon for a few months now and is hasn't helped much. Will be getting 4 more liters tomorrow to make it 7L. Hopefully this helps. I was thinking to start adding some kind of carbon source to help keep the populations up. Any thoughts?

Often the limiting factor for bacteria growth is carbon. Adding safe carbon source has almost no drawbacks and great benefits.

I add vinegar to my Kalk.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ReefKeeper64]

I also add vinegar, only with a dosing pump. Carlos Morenos runs a biopellet reactor. Most are adding carbon in one form or another.

 

[Pife]

I also add vinegar, only with a dosing pump. Carlos Morenos runs a biopellet reactor. Most are adding carbon in one form or another.

I wouldn't say most. But we're splitting hairs.

 

[AkoAung]

Nitrate dosing, nitrogen dosing

Nitrate dosing, nitrogen dosing

Are there any thoughts or guides on nitrate or nitrogen dosing in conjunction with siporax/matrix/etc?

As in how much to dose per liter/gallon etc.
While both my nitrate and phos were undetectable, I thought having some trace amount of nitrates was desirable so I began to dose what I assumed was a minute amount (0.2ppm) and within a day my PE was gone. I have stopped dosing after 3 days even though nitrates remain undetectable. I lost one acro colony to STN and one milli now has STN.

 

[bif24701]

Are there any thoughts or guides on nitrate or nitrogen dosing in conjunction with siporax/matrix/etc?



As in how much to dose per liter/gallon etc.

While both my nitrate and phos were undetectable, I thought having some trace amount of nitrates was desirable so I began to dose what I assumed was a minute amount (0.2ppm) and within a day my PE was gone. I have stopped dosing after 3 days even though nitrates remain undetectable. I lost one acro colony to STN and one milli now has STN.

Your PO4 and NO3 are too low possibly. Do you feed your corals well? If not you should be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[organism]

Are there any thoughts or guides on nitrate or nitrogen dosing in conjunction with siporax/matrix/etc?

As in how much to dose per liter/gallon etc.
While both my nitrate and phos were undetectable, I thought having some trace amount of nitrates was desirable so I began to dose what I assumed was a minute amount (0.2ppm) and within a day my PE was gone. I have stopped dosing after 3 days even though nitrates remain undetectable. I lost one acro colony to STN and one milli now has STN.

It varies but you're going up have to dose a lot at the beginning. You probably lost colonies and polyp extension because adding nitrates let the bacteria eat all your phosphates.

You need to feed more and add nitrates, your best bet is to dose nitrates and test every 20 minutes until you're at 2-5. I had nitrates go from 2 to 0 a few times a day until it the bacteria caught up, now it's once or twice a week but I feed twice as much as I used to as well.

 

[AkoAung]

Your PO4 and NO3 are too low possibly. Do you feed your corals well? If not you should be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I do not target feed them but i may start doing that. not sure if it will help as currently there is no PE extension.

It varies but you're going up have to dose a lot at the beginning. You probably lost colonies and polyp extension because adding nitrates let the bacteria eat all your phosphates.

You need to feed more and add nitrates, your best bet is to dose nitrates and test every 20 minutes until you're at 2-5. I had nitrates go from 2 to 0 a few times a day until it the bacteria caught up, now it's once or twice a week but I feed twice as much as I used to as well.

I usually feed 2x a day though what you say makes sense so I'll up that to 3x.

 

[bif24701]

I do not target feed them but i may start doing that. not sure if it will help as currently there is no PE extension.







I usually feed 2x a day though what you say makes sense so I'll up that to 3x.

Corals need food, not a must but a designated coral food like Reef Chilli can help too a few times a week.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ReefKeeper64]

Are there any thoughts or guides on nitrate or nitrogen dosing in conjunction with siporax/matrix/etc?

As in how much to dose per liter/gallon etc.
While both my nitrate and phos were undetectable, I thought having some trace amount of nitrates was desirable so I began to dose what I assumed was a minute amount (0.2ppm) and within a day my PE was gone. I have stopped dosing after 3 days even though nitrates remain undetectable. I lost one acro colony to STN and one milli now has STN.

You mentioned siporax, matrix, etc.
--Which media are you using?
--How much?
--Total water volume of your system?

 

[carlosmos]

If I'm right, matrix and siporax are close the same, some people use one or another deppending personal opinons or if is easy to obtain.

But, why to mix matrix and siporax? Like Sharin, he's using both at the same time...

thanks
Carlos

 

[bif24701]

If I'm right, matrix and siporax are close the same, some people use one or another deppending personal opinons or if is easy to obtain.



But, why to mix matrix and siporax? Like Sharin, he's using both at the same time...



thanks

Carlos

Why not. Is there any reason not to use two or three or more types of LR?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[carlosmos]

Why not. Is there any reason not to use two or three or more types of LR?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not, of course! Only to know why. Any advantage?


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

 

[bif24701]

Not, of course! Only to know why. Any advantage?


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

I think it's the application. Siporax should be placed to allow flow through and around it without collecting detritus. Matrix can be more passive and kept in bags or baskets. They both achieve the same goal. No real advantage to use both at the same time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ReefKeeper64]

Siporax, when stacked tall and in a relatively low flow area, creates anaerobic zones. When stacked that way it's also lower maintenance as detritus is easier to gently shake out during cleanings.

 

[AkoAung]

You mentioned siporax, matrix, etc.
--Which media are you using?
--How much?
--Total water volume of your system?

I got 11L of matrix, 1 inch sand and probably 30-40lbs of live rock. in a total water volume of 40G US frag tank, sump skimmer 200micron sock with 5 small fishes. Yes overkill with biological filtration by intent so it can handle any spikes in nutrients. I agree with other poster. when I dosed nitrates it sucked out phos dry. phos coming back. PE not coming back yet. LPS and clam looking better coincidentally.

 

[ReefKeeper64]

I got 11L of matrix, 1 inch sand and probably 30-40lbs of live rock. in a total water volume of 40G US frag tank, sump skimmer 200micron sock with 5 small fishes. Yes overkill with biological filtration by intent so it can handle any spikes in nutrients. I agree with other poster. when I dosed nitrates it sucked out phos dry. phos coming back. PE not coming back yet. LPS and clam looking better coincidentally.

That is one heck of a powerful biological filtration system you have going for your water volume and small bioload. Fortunately you are in a good position to make a couple of simple adjustments.

If you feed more then you will add both nitrate and phosphate. This will help you to get back to a more desirable NO3=5 and PO4=.03.

If your water is consistently too ULN you can also remove 3L of Siporax from your sump. You water will stay dirtier a little longer and your system will balance easier.

Funny, most reefers would like to have a tank that is ULN like yours. The pendulum has swung the other way.