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

[tripdad]

To Cody's question.... Siporax, or any similar media, are self regulating, therefore you can't "have too much". It is only going to allow a place for bacteria to grow, how many grow is dependent on nutrients available. Also, as I said in your thread Cody, it takes time to come online. It is not instant. This is both good and bad. Bad because your in a hurry to get nutrients down, good because slow changes are the safest changes. Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank.

 

[rtparty]

so I added 10l of siporax on Monday to my sump, I added it under my skimmer but left around 4 inches above it for my skimmer and 1 inch under it. Is this a fine area for it?

Also I am thinking of buying another 10L to add or do you think 10L is fine for my 180gallon DT? my nitrates are very high at the moment.

I think the first step needs to be to address why they are so high? Is it simply not enough biological filtration or are there are things at play?

 

[codydemmel4]

Its fine where you have it Cody. I have mine all over my sump in bags and baskets -- high flow and low flow areas. Every six months or so I dunk them in a bucket with tank water while I'm doing a water change.

I would add the extra 10l if you can fit it. It can't hurt.

To Cody's question.... Siporax, or any similar media, are self regulating, therefore you can't "have too much". It is only going to allow a place for bacteria to grow, how many grow is dependent on nutrients available. Also, as I said in your thread Cody, it takes time to come online. It is not instant. This is both good and bad. Bad because your in a hurry to get nutrients down, good because slow changes are the safest changes. Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank.

I think the first step needs to be to address why they are so high? Is it simply not enough biological filtration or are there are things at play?

Thanks guys and yeah I know it takes awhile.

It is because my bioload is large and I feed a good amount to keep them healthy. Which is why I am using siporax to get that lower. I am looking into dosing vinegar a little bit to get them lower to the 20s at least till the siporax comes online or will dosing vinegar stunt how fast the siporax starts working?

I also just upgraded my skimmer to the Bubble Magus B11 which has been a beast and I think will help too.

 

[acesq]

I dosed carbon while my siporax was getting seeded. I think it is beneficial since it increases the amount of bacteria. I no longer dose carbon. Instead, I occasionally dose Nitrate to keep it at my target of 5 ppm. I still dose small amounts of different brands of bacteria every week or two to keep the diversity.

 

[codydemmel4]

I dosed carbon while my siporax was getting seeded. I think it is beneficial since it increases the amount of bacteria. I no longer dose carbon. Instead, I occasionally dose Nitrate to keep it at my target of 5 ppm. I still dose small amounts of different brands of bacteria every week or two to keep the diversity.

this is exactly how I want to be when my siporax gets going. What bacteria do you dose?

 

[acesq]

I've used Zeobak, Bio-mate, probio S, pro bio F and Microbacter7. Right now I'm alternating between the two KZ products and the Aquaforest Pro bio F.

 

[bigzman]

Matrix

Matrix

Its fine where you have it Cody. I have mine all over my sump in bags and baskets -- high flow and low flow areas. Every six months or so I dunk them in a bucket with tank water while I'm doing a water change.

I would add the extra 10l if you can fit it. It can't hurt.

I have on my 330gallon tank 12 liters of pound matrix and 4 liters of regular matrix. At first after 6 weeks Nitrates went down to under 10ppm. Now after 6+ months my nitrates do not go below 25ppm. I don't have coral in tank yet because of these high levels. I tried to boost it with small vodka dosing 4ml per day and a week of adding stability. I feed heavy but and I thought with that much bio capacity I should have been good. I just started a fuge and considering the below.

1. Should I remove the regular matrix and try only pound matrix?
2. Should I add more?

I did cut back on feeding and that made a big difference but not very happy fish lost 3 anthias. I also now have twice the amount of fish.

 

[acesq]

I have on my 330gallon tank 12 liters of pound matrix and 4 liters of regular matrix. At first after 6 weeks Nitrates went down to under 10ppm. Now after 6+ months my nitrates do not go below 25ppm. I don't have coral in tank yet because of these high levels. I tried to boost it with small vodka dosing 4ml per day and a week of adding stability. I feed heavy but and I thought with that much bio capacity I should have been good. I just started a fuge and considering the below.

1. Should I remove the regular matrix and try only pound matrix?
2. Should I add more?

I did cut back on feeding and that made a big difference but not very happy fish lost 3 anthias. I also now have twice the amount of fish.

I would add more. The rule of thumb I used for Siporax is 1L per 25g. I don't think size of the product is a huge deal. I use both the small and large Siporax.

 

[Pife]

I have on my 330gallon tank 12 liters of pound matrix and 4 liters of regular matrix. At first after 6 weeks Nitrates went down to under 10ppm. Now after 6+ months my nitrates do not go below 25ppm. I don't have coral in tank yet because of these high levels. I tried to boost it with small vodka dosing 4ml per day and a week of adding stability. I feed heavy but and I thought with that much bio capacity I should have been good. I just started a fuge and considering the below.

1. Should I remove the regular matrix and try only pound matrix?
2. Should I add more?

I did cut back on feeding and that made a big difference but not very happy fish lost 3 anthias. I also now have twice the amount of fish.

What are your phosphates? If they are too low your nitrates will not come down.

 

[ReefKeeper64]

I agree with life. Plus, remember that you can’t over do it with surface area for bacteria to grow on. Having ample surface area is a good thing.

 

[bigzman]

Media

Media

What are your phosphates? If they are too low your nitrates will not come down.

Pife I use Seachem Matrix and pond matrix. My phosphates are barely readable.

acesq:

I have a skimmer rated for 800 gallons and I ordered 4 more liters for pond matrix.

 

[Pife]

Pife I use Seachem Matrix and pond matrix. My phosphates are barely readable.

acesq:

I have a skimmer rated for 800 gallons and I ordered 4 more liters for pond matrix.

When I started using this type of material I had the same issues you're having. I would suggest feeding more phosphate rich foods. And dosing probiotic bacteria. It took a couple of months but now I have a perfect balance between nitrates and phosphates. Feel free to p.m. me if you would like to discuss any of this in further detail.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

[codydemmel4]

I started dosing 5% white distilled vinegar yesterday in my sump, but as soon as I dosed it I noticed less PE in my SPS (almost all of them) is this normal and will they adjust to this?

I only dose 15ml at a time, twice a day or should I break it up more?

 

[ReefKeeper64]

I started dosing 5% white distilled vinegar yesterday in my sump, but as soon as I dosed it I noticed less PE in my SPS (almost all of them) is this normal and will they adjust to this?

I only dose 15ml at a time, twice a day or should I break it up more?

That depends on your total water volume but 30ml a day is likely too high for an initial dose. If you have plenty of surface area (live rock, matrix, siporax), and you have nitrates and PO4 (you need both), then start dosing slowly. I only need 1ml per day in my 160gal nowadays. I used to dose higher amounts (up to 15ml/day) but now everything is in check with less. You need to start slowly and add more each day as the bacteria population grows. Too much in one day isn't going to work.There are lots of carbon dosing threads with recommendations on ramping up the dose and how much.

 

[pusanpa]

I came across this thread where this person did a biological filter media performance test. The result is very interesting. In terms of no3 removal, ehaim substratpro out performed siporax and matrix by a big margin which made me to try it out for no3 removal. Siporax and matrix did do much compare to substratpro.

http://story.raraaqua.co.kr/index.php?mid=board_mXrQ14&listStyle=viewer&document_srl=230376

 

[bigzman]

That is very interesting results. If this is true that means siporax and matrix remove little to no nitrate. I have read of results on the other forum of a poor mans denitrator reactor. It essentially uses a mixed media in a tube at a very slow rate. It’s so effective that some show results of 50ppm nitrate entering reactor and almost zero on exit. The method of that reactor thread and the results shared Above share same principle of maxizing anaerobic bacteria. I wonder after reading that thread and the above results, how much more effective would my 12 liters of matrix be if placed in a slower moving zone In sump which could replicate a anaerobic conditions like dsb..

 

[cwschoon]

I just discovered this thread and forgive me for posting before I read it! I have had 2 Marine Pure Blocks in my sump for about 4 months now and am not seeing any nitrate reduction at all. I wonder if it is too porous to cultivate anaerobic bacteria. I am just about at the point, where I am going to remove it and do a "mini" deep sand bed instead. My thought is, that if it is NOT denitrifying, then it is actually a nitrate factory! I just read a post by someone who has had great denitrifying success with Siporax and am interested in opinions. Now, to read 33 pages of this thread!

 

[marinelife]

I just discovered this thread and forgive me for posting before I read it! I have had 2 Marine Pure Blocks in my sump for about 4 months now and am not seeing any nitrate reduction at all. I wonder if it is too porous to cultivate anaerobic bacteria. I am just about at the point, where I am going to remove it and do a "mini" deep sand bed instead. My thought is, that if it is NOT denitrifying, then it is actually a nitrate factory! I just read a post by someone who has had great denitrifying success with Siporax and am interested in opinions. Now, to read 33 pages of this thread!

I only use Siporax, I took my block out but more because they started to fall apart
I feel it's about flow. how is the flow thru your sump?

 

[cwschoon]

My MP blocks ARE in the chamber with my return but because they are stacked at the far end from the return, I would think that I have a generous anaerobic section. I will give it more time but feel that it is inevitable that I replace the blocks with Tupperware and a good, old fashioned "mini" deep sand bed.

 

[bigzman]

Updating on my end: Although i had great results at first it is not the same any more. I still have 12 liters of pond matrix and Nitrates is 50ppm. I added 100 pounds of live rock and that helped more in Nitrate reduction. I am considering removing Matrix and stick to live rock.