Bio media

[rhodes_96]

I think you are doing it wrong (the nitrAte test.)

The only time I've seen 0-5 ppm of NitrAte as a test result is when the test is administered incorrectly (false-negative.)
You have to shake the crystals into solution for bottle #2, and shake the final concoction for 60 seconds and wait 5 minutes for the result. The instructions have to be followed to a "T."

Laticauda, 20+ years aquarium junkie, 3 different brands of nitrate testing, same results. Before matrix my sump setups contained bio balls, ceramic rings, and some jap map. I always had around 20-40ppm of nitrate before water changes.

 

[Laticauda]

Laticauda, 20+ years aquarium junkie, 3 different brands of nitrate testing, same results. Before matrix my sump setups contained bio balls, ceramic rings, and some jap map. I always had around 20-40ppm of nitrate before water changes.

My mistake, apologies!

 

[DB junkie]

So let me get this straight..... All I have to do is start using Matrix bio media and my Nitrate goes down??????

 

[akskirmish]

Alright here is my sump pic
(mind you that my tank has been down since before christmas-so it's a bit dirty to say the least)

Where my intakes are is a drip plate(not sure if it can be removed or not-I assume so)..I take it that I need to remove the drip plate and bioballs....Extend the intakes with lets say 2 or 3 inch of pvc pipe.Where these extentions would go is where I would need 2 filter socks.

The empty section of sump is where my bio media should be placed

Hopefully I got this right now....
I just installed some PVC thingies that would allow me to remove the top glass of my sump finally so I can acess them bio balls.....I plan replaceing them with ehiem pro and ceramic rings.......


Please let me know what else I should do

 

[akskirmish]

So let me get this straight..... All I have to do is start using Matrix bio media and my Nitrate goes down??????

Miracle cure.......

 

[jcardona1]

So let me get this straight..... All I have to do is start using Matrix bio media and my Nitrate goes down??????

I don't know how much truth there is to that statement. My 400g cichla tank had a 90g sump full of ceramic media. Even after doing huge weekly water changes, my nitrates were still over 80ppm. In my 57g community tank, my nitrates are 10-15ppm, even a week after doing a water change.

So, it's all relative. It depends on your stock, how well you clean your substrate (or maybe you don't have substrate), and how big/how often your water changes are. I highly doubt you'll reduce nitrates by adding ceramic media.

 

[jcardona1]

Alright here is my sump pic
(mind you that my tank has been down since before christmas-so it's a bit dirty to say the least)

Where my intakes are is a drip plate(not sure if it can be removed or not-I assume so)..I take it that I need to remove the drip plate and bioballs....Extend the intakes with lets say 2 or 3 inch of pvc pipe.Where these extentions would go is where I would need 2 filter socks.

The empty section of sump is where my bio media should be placed

Hopefully I got this right now....
I just installed some PVC thingies that would allow me to remove the top glass of my sump finally so I can acess them bio balls.....I plan replaceing them with ehiem pro and ceramic rings.......


Please let me know what else I should do

I would try to cut out the divider and the drip tray, should be easy, just take a razor blade to the silicone. Then do as you say, extend the intakes, add your filter socks, and place the media anywhere in the sump.

 

[akskirmish]

I would try to cut out the divider and the drip tray, should be easy, just take a razor blade to the silicone. Then do as you say, extend the intakes, add your filter socks, and place the media anywhere in the sump.

K-Then I should be set....Right as far as design would go for sump...that divider is a pain too..it is open at the bottom and sealed at the top.

Now when I place my media in these containers(like yours with the rings) and have the holes drilled in the bottom...Should I make alittle egg crate stand for them to sit on to allow water to flow through them?

Appreciate the help J

 

[akskirmish]

well I guess if I built the eggcrate it would obviously be for the side that is currently empy......Like what my bio balls are currently sittin on is what i am talking about.

But then again I guess if I cut out the divider I can just move that over to the other side to allow room for the filter socks......

I guess for my filter socks-Once I extend them I can drill a hole and and run a wire through them like you have done to hold mine up.....I got a solid piece of glass and am unasure on how to go about attaching the filter socks

 

[rhodes_96]

So let me get this straight..... All I have to do is start using Matrix bio media and my Nitrate goes down??????

NO !

In order to reduce nitrates, you need to create an environment for enough anaerobic bacteria to consume the nitrate load of your tank. Matrix internal pore structure has a low oxygen environment which is ideal to colonize the anaerobic bacteria required to consume the nitrates. How much matrix is required will depend on the amount of nitrates produced by your bio load, and flow rate over the media.

For example, I have a 260g which has a normal stocking density. 2 x FX5's
with approx 2.8g of media is not enough to make a significant reduction in the nitrate load on the tank. Same tank, with a 50g wet / dry sump about 7 gallons of matrix and flow rate of about 3 x turnover, and the nitrates are always 0-5ppm. I have never had any much luck with any other type of media getting a significant reduction in nitrates.

I did an experiment a few months back which showed even after 1 month of no water change, the nitrates remained 0-5ppm.