Nitrate removal w/standard live rock

[Nano sapiens]

I think this may be the main question as their can be a significantly higher cost for live rock vs the other products given the amount of live rock needed vs an equivalent amount of the different seachem products. The OP specifically spoke about de-nitrate which is for small systems, but the same equation would play out with Matrix and then Pond Matrix. Even if in my case you are starting with dry rock, the amount of space required in my sump would the difference between filling my entire sump with rock vs what is about 1/5 of that space.

If a tank has just LR, then one would need a fair amount. With LR and LS combined, there should be no problem. Cared for LS alone in 1" or a bit more thickness can usually handle a standard reef tank's denitrification. It's all I use in a 12g nano with a regularly vacuumed SB.

Except for certain unusual setups that are without the sites needed for adequate denitrification, I just don't see the need for this product. But, can't hurt, I suppose.

 

[keithhays]

If a tank has just LR, then one would need a fair amount. With LR and LS combined, there should be no problem. Cared for LS alone in 1" or a bit more thickness can usually handle a standard reef tank's denitrification. It's all I use in a 12g nano with a regularly vacuumed SB.

Except for certain unusual setups that are without the sites needed for adequate denitrification, I just don't see the need for this product. But, can't hurt, I suppose.

I have to admit my lack of knowledge with anything below 29 gallons. They are a bit of a different world. I wouldn't think you would need something like de-nitrate unless you tried to push the boundaries. Once you start getting into the hundreds of gallons, you start looking for efficiencies that don't really come up in the nano's. Now that I have a chance the think about, if I had a nano, I would have the only 12 gallon nano, with a 100 gallon sump.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Keeping SPS (especially Acros) happy, healthy and growing long term in only 10 actual gallons of water is a whole different, but rewarding, challenge.