| Q:
I’m using Pond Matrix™, but my nitrates
are not coming down, it’s been at the same level for
awhile now, what’s wrong?
A: Nothing’s wrong. The product is working just as
it should. The removal of nitrates essentially comes down
to one parameter: rate. The rate at which your tank is producing
nitrates and the rate at which it can remove them. If you
fill a bathtub with the spigot wide open and try to keep
it from overflowing by draining it out of a straw, it won’t
be long until it overflows. However, if you drain it at
the same rate it fills, the level will always stay the same.
Or, if it nearly fills up and then you drain it at a rate
faster than it is filling, the level will drop. The same
applies to nitrate removal. To lower nitrates you must equip
your tank with the capacity to remove them at a rate greater
than or equal to the rate of formation. So, if your nitrates
are holding steady and you want them to come down, increase
the amount of Matrix™you are using or use
de*Nitrate™in addition to the Matrix™(de*Nitrate™will
more efficiently remove nitrates per volume of product assuming
a flow rate of not more than ~50 gallons/hour). If you need
to use a higher flow rate, than stick with Matrix™or
try Pond Matrix™, both of which support anaerobic
denitrification at higher flow rates.
Q:
3. How long does it take for Pond Matrix to grow the necessary
anaerobic bacteria to remove nitrate?
A: This all depends on the stage of biological establishment
of your tank, placement of Matrix and flow rate. Generally
you will start to see improvement in a couple of weeks but
every situation varies.
Q:
Will using Pond Matrix affect the pH of the water?
A: No, It is an inert media that will not directly impact
your pH.
Q:
Is it theoretically possible to achieve near-zero nitrate
levels using Pond Matrix?
A: If you have a fish load it would be extremely difficult
to bring down your nitrates to zero (fish foods, waste,
being introduced on a daily basis). However, it will help
maintain your nitrates at lower levels.
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