Bio filter, QualDrop Hyper Pore

[Balazs]

I don't have any more room for live rock in my sump and I thought I'd try the thing mentioned in the title.
Has anyone used it?
The manufacturer writes good things about it, but personal experience is worth more.

 

[Lasse]

I haven't used it, but the general problem with this type of porous material in biologically active water is that the small pores quickly become clogged by biofilm and the theoretical large surface area is eventually reduced to an active surface area equivalent to a grey stone of the same size.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Balazs]

Thank you very much Lasse!
So is the problem similar with all such media? For example Maxspect bio sphere?

 

[Lasse]

Thank you very much Lasse!
So is the problem similar with all such media? For example Maxspect bio sphere?

IMO - yes - at least according to the bacteria that´s demand oxygen - like the nitrifikation bacteria but also many of the fast working oxygen demanding mineralization bacteria. The only place they can live on is the shell around the clogged media because the oxygen will not penetrate deeper than some µm.

According to the bacteria that´s work during anaerobic conditions it could be different but in that case the problem is to have movement of water through the media - but as best - IMO - they work like a DSB.

IMO - the best filter media according aerobic breakdown/transfer are filter media like Kaldness K1. K3 and K5 in either a moving bed or trickle filter with high flow of oxygen rich water. They can also be used in anaerobic filters with a low flow through.

Because of up building of biofilms - there is a huge difference between theoretical and practical grow area for the different bacteria´s - especially for those that demand oxygen.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Balazs]

Thank you very much Lasse!
So is the problem similar with all such media? For example Maxspect bio sphere?

IMO - yes - at least according to the bacteria that´s demand oxygen - like the nitrifikation bacteria but also many of the fast working oxygen demanding mineralization bacteria. The only place they can live on is the shell around the clogged media because the oxygen will not penetrate deeper than some µm.

According to the bacteria that´s work during anaerobic conditions it could be different but in that case the problem is to have movement of water through the media - but as best - IMO - they work like a DSB.

IMO - the best filter media according aerobic breakdown/transfer are filter media like Kaldness K1. K3 and K5 in either a moving bed or trickle filter with high flow of oxygen rich water. They can also be used in anaerobic filters with a low flow through.

Because of up building of biofilms - there is a huge difference between theoretical and practical grow area for the different bacteria´s - especially for those that demand oxygen.

Sincerely Lasse

Hats off for the explanation!
Actually my goal is to reduce nitrate and I thought a little extra space for the bacteria would be a good idea.
Can aerobic bacteria help with this? Or does this only happen in an oxygen-rich environment?

 

[Lasse]

Hats off for the explanation!
Actually my goal is to reduce nitrate and I thought a little extra space for the bacteria would be a good idea.
Can aerobic bacteria help with this? Or does this only happen in an oxygen-rich environment?

Denitrification need an anaerobic environment - yes it could help but a low flow and careful, targeted and small addition of organic carbon - such as vodka, vinegar, sugar or other easily degradable organic carbon compounds is necessary to get good denitrification - IMO

Sincerely Lasse