ok so i read about pond matrix working well totally submerged as a nitrate reducer... can i just mix it with substrate? it says many plants will root to it, what about filling pots with this stuff? will that reduce nitrates much or is there not enough flow. can i just fill the bottom of my wet dry with this stuff? its cheap and sounds good
pond matrix question
- Thread starter brich999
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For it to work as a nitrate reduction, you need a lot more matrix to remove nitrates then to make them. The nitrate reduction occurs on the internal poor structure of the matrix media in a low oxygen environment. If you want these bacteria to work you need as much contact time as possible with the anerobic bacteria to convert the nitrates. This is why a low flow rate helps with the contact time.
Seachem says it works better in a canister for nitrate reduction; being that it needs an O2 depeleted zone deep in the media, the Oxyginating benefits of the w/d hurt the nitrate reduction proformance of the media.. I use it in an fx5 and love it as media but I haven't done any water test to confirm either way on it's nitrate reduction abilities.
If you are thinking of mixing it with he substrate, go for de*nitrater. Cost about the same but the media is much smaller
not mixing with substrate, kinda using it as potting soil in clay puts fully submerged. does this sound pointless? if nothing plants will remove nitrates right?