nitrate reductor/de-nitraters...
- Thread starter Ian21777
- Start date
Much cheaper to just either add an empty HOB to the back of your tank with Pothos plants or add pothos plants to your sump. They'll consume your nitrates at a pretty good rate and if you do water changes regularly your nitrates should be very low.
I see people mentioning pothos all the time, but really have no clue what its all about. Hob filter wouldn't be possible. I may be way off, but having a load of plants in my sump sounds like a recipe for a mess lol. I do weekly 25% water change and wouldn't want to replace this. I was really wondering if the off the shelf units work or if they are just a gimmick?
I just looked on YouTube and see the basic principal. Doesn't look even remotely messy! But I would assume growing them in a sump would require lighting in the cabinet? Not sure if that is something I would want to do. Admittedly the initial outlay would be greater for a reductor but I'm guessing running costs would be similar and less maintenance?
The only maintenance with pothos or other plants (I use umbrella palm and others) is tossing out the occasional dead leaf. And the plants don't need to be in the sump, they can hang in the tank, depending on how your tank is set up.
Some of the roots and stems reach to 2ft to the bottom of my 150, seems a very natural kook to me (but to each their own, I like it).
Some are simply jammed behind my background.
My nitrates average 2-5ppm but I still do regular water changes, because there are plenty of others constituents that build up.
In case you thought the tank was empty(I realize it looks that way), it's my group of beani tank, and there are 2 other tanks on the same sumps/refugiums, in all about with about 30 fish(Total little over 300gals).
refugium contains hyacinth, algae and shrimp
other tanks in line have carpintus, bartoni, asfarci and others
Some of the roots and stems reach to 2ft to the bottom of my 150, seems a very natural kook to me (but to each their own, I like it).
Some are simply jammed behind my background.
My nitrates average 2-5ppm but I still do regular water changes, because there are plenty of others constituents that build up.
In case you thought the tank was empty(I realize it looks that way), it's my group of beani tank, and there are 2 other tanks on the same sumps/refugiums, in all about with about 30 fish(Total little over 300gals).
refugium contains hyacinth, algae and shrimp
other tanks in line have carpintus, bartoni, asfarci and others
Still way cheaper to drill it, put screen on the hole and have a mini plant growing area behind it 
.
But, if you want a serious answer to your question on denitrators - they work. They need a source of carbon (aqua medic makes some pellets that dissolve slowly, or you can use a dosing pump and a number of branded liquids (or vodka)) and the flow needs to be regulated or they can clog up with slime. That means you need one with a place for an ORP controller. In other words, you're looking at a set-up cost of around $500+ when all is accounted for. If this is worth almost nitrate free water to you, than yes they are worth it. I remember there was a great thread on it on arofanatics that you can probably google up if you're interested for hands on experience.
.But, if you want a serious answer to your question on denitrators - they work. They need a source of carbon (aqua medic makes some pellets that dissolve slowly, or you can use a dosing pump and a number of branded liquids (or vodka)) and the flow needs to be regulated or they can clog up with slime. That means you need one with a place for an ORP controller. In other words, you're looking at a set-up cost of around $500+ when all is accounted for. If this is worth almost nitrate free water to you, than yes they are worth it. I remember there was a great thread on it on arofanatics that you can probably google up if you're interested for hands on experience.
If you set up your filters properly and have good cirulation you should not need a nitrate fllter or pothos.I am at a 0 reading doing 25% water change in a week.
a) is your test kid out of date?
b) if what you're saying is true, what do you consider properly set up filters?
c) you're sure you're reading nitrate?
^agree...? There are no filters as far as I know that pull them out. Not trying to be rude, but I would have to recommend checking the expiration date of your test kit and double checking that you're reading the test correctly.
The only way that you can reduce nitrates, other than water changes, is with the use of anaerobic bacteria. Looking at the Aquamedic I like the idea behind it, but I'm don't know of anyone using it. But it sounds like a modified deep sand bed, but with water flow, which is a major issue. The other issue with nitrate reducers is that they need carbon, and the CO2 isn't enough/correct. So, you will want to supplement with some of the various Bio pellets that are offered from different companies, some people also add vodka, and other sugars are added. The more sources of carbon you can use the better, because there are different strains of bacteria that need different carbon compounds.
The only way that you can reduce nitrates, other than water changes, is with the use of anaerobic bacteria. Looking at the Aquamedic I like the idea behind it, but I'm don't know of anyone using it. But it sounds like a modified deep sand bed, but with water flow, which is a major issue. The other issue with nitrate reducers is that they need carbon, and the CO2 isn't enough/correct. So, you will want to supplement with some of the various Bio pellets that are offered from different companies, some people also add vodka, and other sugars are added. The more sources of carbon you can use the better, because there are different strains of bacteria that need different carbon compounds.