Matrix/De*Nitrate nitrate filter DIY - Page 5

Tech Support HK · #41 04-30-2012, 16:06

I do hope that things improve for you. It almost sounds as if the bacteria are having difficulty colonizing properly. You do not have any UV or ozone turned on, correct? When the nitrate level is higher than 20ppm, it does become difficult for bacteria to colonize properly and begin to consume ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates.

If there is a way to temporarily reduce your nitrates to below 20ppm, either by water changes with RO or a nitrate remover, then the bacteria added by Stability will be able to colonize properly. Then, once you perform water changes using your tap water, even though the nitrates are high, the bacteria will be colonized properly and will be able to consume the nitrates efficiently.

It may not be a flow issue at all, it could be the high nitrate level within the tank initially that is making it very difficult for the bacteria to colonize. If they cannot colonize, they will not be able to consume, and unfortunately they will not survive.

Abbeysdad · #42 05-01-2012, 08:52

Well here again you tech support folks are inconsistent. In this and other threads you folks have advised people that high nitrate levels does not impede the development of the anaerobic bacteria. What Seachem does stress is that managing nitrates is easier if the levels are low.

In my case, as documented, I used Fluval Nitrate Remover (FNR) to lower the tank nitrates to 5-10ppm. Subsequent partial water changes have used a 50/50 mix of DI and FNR filtered water, resulting in 0-5ppm nitrates in the water added to the tank. So for reasons I have yet to understand, anaerobic bacteria does not seem to yet populate the media.

The experiment continues. Perhaps I will obtain and add a heavy dose of Stability through the diy filter inlet tube.

Tech Support HK · #43 05-01-2012, 10:00

The anaerobic bacteria will still be able to colonize at a nitrate level greater than 20ppm, the higher nitrate level will simply prolong the establishment of bacteria. Therefore it may take longer for the bacteria to effectively reduce the nitrates at a faster rate than they are being produced within the tank.

Unfortunately, there are numerous factors involved, which makes difficult to say what could be causing the nitrate issue.

How much Stability are you adding, and how often? It could even be that the bacteria has become overpopulated. When this occurs, some of the established bacteria will die off as it will be out competed. The living bacteria that remains in the pores of the media will push the dead out, resulting in a brown slimy sludge on the outer surface of the media.

I do apologize if we seem inconsistent. Please know that bacteria will establish at different rates in every aquarium due to the many different environment factors that come into play. A high nitrate level may not impede the establishment of bacteria in one tank, while it might in another. A certain flow rate in one setup may lead to slime buildup, while the same flow in a different setup may not.

Abbeysdad · #44 05-01-2012, 13:58

Initially, I added Stability as per the directions for a new tank, to cycle the new filter. I added the stability mixed with aquarium water directly in the inlet siphon tube of the diy filter. After the fist week, I used stability following weekly water changes, sometimes in the filter inlet tube, sometimes just directly into the tank. Over the 6-8 week period, I used two 250ml bottles of Stability. Gone now, I have not used any Stability in about two weeks.

Tech Support EH · #45 05-01-2012, 16:39

I wish that we could offer you definitive answer; the problem is that every tank is different, so the time involved is quite variable. Please keep us up-to-date, as we want you to be successful!

carpman · #46 08-01-2012, 18:44

hi i have varying ppm of nitate from my tap water. ranging from 30 to 80 so when i do a water change its a useless exerize. i have an fx5 as a filter 110 gal tank . i also have a spare fluval 203 ?4 ? could i bring it out of retirement and use it just with pond matrix say 2 litres. ? i m worried for fish but they all seem to be going fine i did have a low ph but now buffering to 6.4 + any comments would be helpfull colin uk

Tech Support EH · #47 08-02-2012, 09:21

Hello Carpman,

Thank you for your questions. Yes, adding some Matrix or Pond Matrix into your spare filter will be a great asset to your tank. Because Matrix is so porous, it provides a great home for anaerobic denitrifying bacteria, and it will therefore help to control the incoming nitrates from your tap, as well as other nitrates naturally produced in the tank.

When it comes to controlling nitrates, the idea is to remove them at a greater rate than they are produced or introduced. With that said, the more Pond Matrix you can pack into your filter, the better long-term control you will have over nitrates. 2L of Pond Matrix would be more than sufficient.

I would also recommend that you add Prime with each water change, if you are not yet doing so. In addition to removing any chlorine or chloramines present in your tap water, Prime will also detoxify the nitrates, keeping them bound until the bacteria can consume them.

You can read about Prime here:

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Prime.html

Best of luck to you, and please let us know if you have additional questions. Have a nice day.

Abbeysdad · #48 01-21-2013, 10:03

Just a follow-up...
I'm sorry to report that this de-nitrate filter experiment failed. At no time were tank nitrates reduced except when using nitrate free water in partial water changes. It would seem that the nearly 4 liter mix of Matrix/De*Nitrate along with copious amounts of stability could simply not culture the anaerobic bacteria required to process nitrates. After 8 months, I disconnected the filter. I later tried the Matrix/De*Nitrate mix in an Aquaclear 70 filter with an AC20 impeller for reduced flow, but I was still unable to reduce tank nitrates.