Nitrate removal media

larisa Raykh · Mar 28, 2018

I have a 120G and 2 little fishes reactor. What would be an optimal nitrate and phosphate removing media? I have 2 reactors if I need to do it separately ..tia

Ludders · Mar 28, 2018

I would say a combination of GFO and Bio Pellets myself. Did you want recommended brands?

larisa Raykh · Mar 28, 2018

Ludders said:
I would say a combination of GFO and Bio Pellets myself. Did you want recommended brands?

Yes please

Ludders · Mar 29, 2018

Sorry for the slow reply, having a hectic week.

I have always used Rowaphos, but in terms of bio pellets, the best I have come across are these by Tropicmarin.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 29, 2018

FWIW, I'd pick soluble organic carbon dosing over biopellets. It's too hard to control eithther "dose" or the timing of things like O2 reduction.

malacoda · Mar 29, 2018

Seachem De-nitrate. One batch lasts forever (all it is is extremely porous pebbles that provide the proper habitat for anerobic bacteria - e.g. the bacteria that consume nitrate versus aerobic bacteria that consume nitrite - to live). No need to ever replace it, just rinse once in a while if it gets covered with detritus. And no way to 'over do it'.

Works like a charm. The key is to ensure the flow through the reactor is between 25-50 gph (as per the instructions).

Add a little mesh pouch of something like Phosguard in the reactor with it and phosphates will managed as well.

Empress · Jul 27, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
FWIW, I'd pick soluble organic carbon dosing over biopellets. It's too hard to control eithther "dose" or the timing of things like O2 reduction.

Randy, what do you mean by soluble organic carbon? Are you talking about vodka and vinegar?

lion king · Jul 27, 2018

Covert them into algae reactors, nothing beats it, hands down.

Empress · Jul 27, 2018

I have a turf scrubber and some caulerpa but my nitrates are still 25ppm. I dose 4 oz vinegar everyday.

I'm trying to keep sps but they don't like my chemistry. All parameters are excellent except my nitrates. The temp however is a bit warm with this summer heat. 81 daytime but it cools down overnight.