I know some people will want to say just do water changes. I don't mind doing my water changes based on the effort involved. I just hate to use so much water if there is a better way. Even if you couldn't cut them out completely it'd be nice to cut down size or frequency. I was considering buying or building a reactor and putting a 50 gph pump on and filling with denitrate. I was just curious if anyone has tried it already. Thanks.
Does Seachem Denitrate work?
- Thread starter aaronb
- Start date
Seachem makes a great product. For it to work properly, it has been my experience, you need to put it in a reactor and run a low volume flow through it. I know you dont want to hear it but "dilution is the solution to pollution" in the case of nitrate. If water use due to water changes is a concern, I feel better draining my 150g per week onto my lawn. I know I will probably step on toes saying that Pythons and similar devices waste a ton of water, and I know there is the convenience factor, but Pythons and similar devices waste a ton of water.
Anyway, a nitrate reductor tower is a great device that really works and I have even seen some DIY creations online. Just know that a reductor tower needs the right chemical components also and arent as cheap to operate as they are made out to be. The ones that use a media, use media. The one that require intense light, require intense light(electricity). The Seachem media isnt cheap and if you just put it in a media bag, throw it in a sump or put it in a canister etc, I dont think you are using the media to its fullest potential, i.e reactor tower. If you can build one, go for it. I think in the long run, water changes more than 50% weekly still is a cheaper way of reducing nitrate. A constant water change system is definitely worth looking into and is almost a 100% guaranty of 100% nitrate removal.
Just my 2.
Anyway, a nitrate reductor tower is a great device that really works and I have even seen some DIY creations online. Just know that a reductor tower needs the right chemical components also and arent as cheap to operate as they are made out to be. The ones that use a media, use media. The one that require intense light, require intense light(electricity). The Seachem media isnt cheap and if you just put it in a media bag, throw it in a sump or put it in a canister etc, I dont think you are using the media to its fullest potential, i.e reactor tower. If you can build one, go for it. I think in the long run, water changes more than 50% weekly still is a cheaper way of reducing nitrate. A constant water change system is definitely worth looking into and is almost a 100% guaranty of 100% nitrate removal.
Just my 2.
denitrate requires low flow to work right. I have some in my sump, but it doesnt seem to be doing anything.
De nitrate is the same pumice based product as the matrix and pond matrix media, apart from it being of smaller size. It works by colonization of anerobic nitrate consuming bacteria with in the internal pore structure of the media. The internal pore structure of the media allows for the ideal low oxygen environment for that particular type of bacteria to survive.
For the above to happen, a slower than normal flow rate through the media is required to increase contact time for the colonization to happen. How slow and how much contact time required will depend on each individuals setup. This product is definitely not a replacement for water changes.
For the above to happen, a slower than normal flow rate through the media is required to increase contact time for the colonization to happen. How slow and how much contact time required will depend on each individuals setup. This product is definitely not a replacement for water changes.