Nitrate removal machines- ray safe/effective?

[abortedsoul]

In searching for an effective nitrogen-cycle enhancing / nitrite and nitrate removing plant system setup, I bumped into this:

http://www.aquaripure.com/

Will I ever have to do water changes again?

Aquaripure's denitrators are designed to completely eliminate nitrates even in fairly well stocked tanks that accumulate nitrates at a rate of up to 25-30 ppm (parts per million) a week. It will not affect the levels of trace elements and absolutely no harmful substances will accumulate as a result of the Aquaripure. However, we recommend doing a partial water change occasionally just to ensure a proper balance of all trace elements in the aquarium. For those occasional water changes and top offs Aquaripure recommends using clean water purified with a Reverse Osmosis water filter.

Has anyone tried this with rays? It claims

Unlike other filters in which you have to replace the internal media, you will never have to change anything on the Aquaripure. There are no filters to change and no mess to deal with. There is a "feeding" tube on all of Aquaripure's denitrators that is very easy to use. You simply inject sugar water or alcohol into the denitrator once a week. Feeding and adjusting the Aquaripure only costs pennies and will only take seconds of your time. Aquaripure's denitrators are designed to be easy to setup and maintain, and will give you many years of service.

Small $199

20-60 gallons
Medium $239

60-120 gallons L
arge $289

120-240 gallons
X-Large $349

240-500 gallons

I might try a test-run of this, and post the results. What do you think? Miles, I know you have an opinion! If anyone else has any relevent information or experience, please post!

 

[stingray94]

I'm interested to see others thoughts on this. Sounds really neat.

 

[csx4236]

Just do water changes, These type of systems are designed more for saltwater tanks were waterchanges are harder to perform using RO water. Water changes are good for rays and there growth.

 

[abortedsoul]

Just do water changes, These type of systems are designed more for saltwater tanks were waterchanges are harder to perform using RO water. Water changes are good for rays and there growth.

I will continue to do water changes; I like the idea of having a more self-sustaining system. I know water changes do help with some trace chemicals, but how much benefit would more frequent water changes provide besides Nitrate removal?

 

[lincolngoh]

I will continue to do water changes; I like the idea of having a more self-sustaining system. I know water changes do help with some trace chemicals, but how much benefit would more frequent water changes provide besides Nitrate removal?

Yo have a self sustaining system, you can over filtrate a big sysytem and use a lot of plant and keep very few rays.

Their bioload is high.

 

[Miles]

These are always gimicks and too good to be true products...

They will remove nitrates - just like algae will - but do they replenish nutrients, remove total dissolved solids, and keep your pH stable? No, No, and No..

 

[abortedsoul]

These are always gimicks and too good to be true products...

They will remove nitrates - just like algae will - but do they replenish nutrients, remove total dissolved solids, and keep your pH stable? No, No, and No..

Your post brought up a few questions I have:

My water here is really shady; is there some other ray-safe way to get nutrients into the water besides my tap? I change 30 gallons every day / every other day, depending on how my rays look (~30%). I use RO water now, with the occasional 2 gallon bucket of dechlorinated water.

Is there any way to remove TDS without harming the rays?

If you do not water change often enough, your PH destabilizes? I've never noticed any fluctuation, but then again I've never lapsed on water changes.

 

[abortedsoul]

I just read up on PH crashes; from what I've read if water changes aren't done properly, the alkalinity of the water can plummet and obliterate your biomedia. Interesting fact!

 

[Miles]

I just read up on PH crashes; from what I've read if water changes aren't done properly, the alkalinity of the water can plummet and obliterate your biomedia. Interesting fact!

Absolutely.. Nitrifying bacteria consumes the minerals and nutrients that make up your alkalinity.. over the long-term you will run into a crash. If your alkalinity is low, your pH will crash, and nitrifying bacteria dies when the pH gets too low..

Water changes are your best friend..

If you use things like R/O water you should find a good stabilizing supplement like "R/O Right" by Kent Marine ... hell I wouldnt hesitate to even put an african rift lake buffer in R/O water to supply some sort of nutrients. Also those vitamin/nutrient blocks they sell at the chain stores would probably help also.. better then using straight R/O water that is 'stripped' of its nutrient value

 

[rvrrays]

I cannot stress this enough......when it comes to rays, stick to the basics.

Have a good filtration system, feed them a variety of good foods and do lots of water changes. If you try to get fancy, the odds of a screwup increase dramatically.

As a wise man (DW) once said, most of these contraptions are designed to separate the hobbyist from his/her money.

Colin