Remote DSB? Do or Aviod?

Thanks yes I saw that video about a year ago I think. Figured great for QT tank but never though for my main tank. They last for ever so worth it for sure.

Thx roger
 
no it looks more like porous rocks or something similar. It looks to be the same mechinism as the ceramic biomedia - however its @ the size of rock rubble. I guess the spatial size of the pores in these little "rocks" are small enough to not allow flow so an anoxic layer would form where denitrifying bacteria can do their job and eat the nitrates (if their claims of reducing nitrates are to be trusted).
 
BobbyV said:
When I ripped out all my rock in the 300 to start all over, one 8x8x4 block supported my entire system for 3 weeks.

Not one dead fish.

If you got 2 units, I think you would be all set!

I wouldn't rinse them - I would put them in a high flow area of your sump and let them do their thing. They don't require maintenance unless you want to turkey baste them once in a while.
Click to expand...

This is perfectly plausible, You would even be able to run the system for much longer or even indefinitely if you kept your perimeters in check. In a nut shell, these blocks or even Seachem's Matrix is basically live rock. It provides surface area and a lot of it. They both allow for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to colonize to break down the waste in the water.

This is all proven, low maintenance technology that many people overlook in favor of vastly complex and expensive filtration equipment. I would always recommend running either of the two products. Seachem's Matrix is a cheaper option only if you have the equipment to run it, like a reactor for example. The block is probably cheaper if you did not have the reactor. They also take time to work their magic and they make a huge difference when they establish sufficient bacteria. They factor much larger surface areas than live rock, also, the smaller the rock the more surface area you will have for Matrix anyway.
 
Ted c / ali :d,

Thanks for the description. I think I will try Seachems matrix first before dsb as I have used it on my Discus tank for about a year now and nitrates are at zero. Seachem does advertise both Nitrite and nitrate reduction. Granted I do weekly 5% water changes on that tank becuase I feed frozen bloodworms and beef heart. But it stays at zero. I do often shake it under tank water that will be discarded for water change to loosen debris.

I really don't have a issue with N02 or N03 but doesn't hurt to have it. What I was hoping the rdbs was going to do is host critters expand water volume and buffer while adding trace elements.

I have a reactor I can use to run it in. I might
 
Ahh - then sorry - your thread got severely derailed. We thought you were looking for reduction of NO3.

what kind of critters? Pods will basically live anywhere - they don't need sand. Worms / micro brittle stars? maybe you'd need sand for them...
 
Thanks Ted. NO2 and NO3 were an added benifits to the BSD. Also wanted something as a back up in the event of a failure of skimmer. Which has happend and the wait for impeller to arrive can be a day or so. As for Critters worms and micro brittle and a place for copepods to roam free from my madrine to get to them would be great.
 
Ali :D said:
This is perfectly plausible, You would even be able to run the system for much longer or even indefinitely if you kept your perimeters in check. In a nut shell, these blocks or even Seachem's Matrix is basically live rock. It provides surface area and a lot of it. They both allow for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to colonize to break down the waste in the water.

This is all proven, low maintenance technology that many people overlook in favor of vastly complex and expensive filtration equipment. I would always recommend running either of the two products. Seachem's Matrix is a cheaper option only if you have the equipment to run it, like a reactor for example. The block is probably cheaper if you did not have the reactor. They also take time to work their magic and they make a huge difference when they establish sufficient bacteria. They factor much larger surface areas than live rock, also, the smaller the rock the more surface area you will have for Matrix anyway.
Click to expand...

See any benefit to run both matrix and the cube? Other then just more bio media?
 
Yes. The block is simple and the matrix will take in nitrate that the block only does a bit off. I found an article stating matrix potential on no3
 
rogergolf66 said:
See any benefit to run both matrix and the cube? Other then just more bio media?
Click to expand...

The best way I have to describe it is like adding a second skimmer, it's not really necessary but the bacteria, both aerobic and anaerobic are very efficient. If the demand is not there for it then it will die off and re-populate when needed. If you were to reduce the demand drastically and quickly(like removing all your fish in a large, heavily stocked tank) then the bacteria would die off possibly causing a spike. IMO, it's not necessary to run both. Both do the same thing, just pick the one that fits your space, usability and budget.

Also, my apologies for derailing this thread. I must have missed the original idea somewhere! Good info on here though!
 
rogergolf66 said:
I ordered 2 of the 4x4x8 my goal is to not need to carbon source dose anything. I know I still have PO4 to deal with but over a year and that has never been an issue with this setup.

Can they be in the light? Any worries of algae growth or anything?

Roger
Click to expand...

How are they working for you? Would you recommend them
 
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