Matrix/De*Nitrate nitrate filter DIY

[Abbeysdad]

Okay, I setup the filter on Friday after the pump and De*Nitrate arrived. The canister has a mix of 1 Liter of Matrix and 2 Liters of De*Nitrate and is using the Tom Aqua Lifter (3.5gph) dosing pump. I added 6 capfuls of Stability (60g tank) to the filter prior to filling with tank water, and I will be adding 3 capfuls per day to the tank for 7 days (per Stability instructions for new setups.
Progress reports will follow.

[Abbeysdad]

(DIY Filter photo attached)

> 1. For the daily introduction of Stability, should I add to the new filter inlet or just anywhere into the tank?

> 2. Considering my mix of Matrix/De*Nitrate and using Stability, when might I begin seeing a reduction of nitrates?

> 3. I've introduced purchased water for several partial water changes to try and lower nitrates, but getting below 40ppm is a challenge. Will high nitrates (say above 20ppm) inhibit anaerobic bacteria development?

> 4. Since this is basically a restart and I had previously been using Purigen (now removed), there is very little dissolved organics in the water column. Is there anything I might or should do to compensate for this?


regards,
AD

[Tech Support AN]

I will answer your questions as they were asked for sake of clarity:

1. Adding it directly to the aquarium water is perfectly fine.

2. This is hard to say exactly, because it depends on the amount organics that are being produced. As long as the rate at which the denitrifying bacteria can consume nitrates is greater than the rate at which they are produced, you should start to see the nitrate level decline after about a week. Keep in mind that frequent water changes will help reduce the level in an immediate sense, but always add in Stability after your water changes.

3. The bacteria in Stability are very unique because they can withstand a very broad range of parameters, from almost boiling to almost freezing temperatures, high or low pH, high or low ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, etc. So the the anaerobic bacteria will still be able to colonize even at those levels.

4. As long as you have some type of ammonia source for the bacteria such as fish waste or uneaten food, they will be able to go through the nitrogen cycle.

I hope this helps!

[Abbeysdad]

1, I would have thought that adding Stability to the filter inlet stream would better facilitate populating that media rather than the substrate or the other (AquaClear 70) filter?~

2, Again, this is a very recent tear down so the organics in the water column are low and the source water is high in nitrates (prompting this new filter) so water changes don't help...As I mentioned, I've done 3 partial water changes but nitrates remain high.

3. Okay, I'll presume that very high nitrate levels will not negatively affect anaerobic colony development.

4. It is my understanding that the anaerobic bacteria feed off of organics in solution and process nitrates only to obtain the oxygen molecule thereby breaking it creating the nitrogen. My question was really getting back to whether there is some nutrient solution I might/should add to facilitate development in this rebuilt system. I guess I'll just wait and see what happens...or not.

thanks,
AD

[Tech Support EH]

Hi AD,

1) You can add Stability anywhere in the tank, and the bacteria will be able to colonize your media. If you feel better about adding directly in your inlet stream, then by all means, do that.

2) It will take some time for your biofilter to mature and reduce the nitrates that are present in your source water.

3) They will not.

4) Seachem does not feel that "feeding" the bacteria is necessary.

Have a good day.

[Abbeysdad]

THANK-YOU for all the help. I'll be anxiously waiting for the filter to cycle and will report back on progress.

Regards,
AD

[Tech Support EH]

You are very welcome, AD!

[Abbeysdad]

Hmm...I was just reading another thread here regarding a De*Nitrate reactor and Tech Support recommended a flow rate of 30-50gph.
Am I way off base using the Tom (3.5gph) Aqua Lifter pump? (I was looking to keep the flow rate slow, but with matrix/de*nitrate, much faster than drip de-nitraters.
(60g tank, filter has 1 liter Matrix / 2 liters De*Nitrate).

Thanks,
AD

[Tech Support EH]

Matrix works well at virtually any flow rate to allow for the colonization of beneficial bacteria. de*nitrate, because of the smaller size of the internal pores, functions more efficiently to remove nitrates at a flow rate of less than 50gph. I honestly think that your setup will work very well.

[Abbeysdad]

THANK-YOU - I hope so too.