Has anyone used this product and seen a decline in nitrates. Seachem says that it will support anaeorbic bacteria that will consume nitrates. I added some to my 120g and the 150g I just set up, but I don't plan on reducing water changes any.
The following is Seachem link;
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/Matrix.html
This is from there Q&A page;
Matrix Support
Q: Im using Matrix, but my nitrates are not coming down, its been at the same level for awhile now, whats wrong?
A: Nothings wrong. The product is working just as it should. The removal of nitrates essentially comes down to one parameter: rate. The rate at which your tank is producing nitrates and the rate at which it can remove them. If you fill a bathtub with the spigot wide open and try to keep it from overflowing by draining it out of a straw, it wont be long until it overflows. However, if you drain it at the same rate it fills, the level will always stay the same. Or, if it nearly fills up and then you drain it at a rate faster than it is filling, the level will drop. The same applies to nitrate removal. To lower nitrates you must equip your tank with the capacity to remove them at a rate greater than or equal to the rate of formation. So, if your nitrates are holding steady and you want them to come down, increase the amount of Matrixyou are using or use de*Nitratein addition to the Matrix(de*Nitratewill more efficiently remove nitrates per volume of product assuming a flow rate of not more than ~50 gallons/hour). If you need to use a higher flow rate, than stick with Matrixor try Pond Matrix, both of which support anaerobic denitrification at higher flow rates.
Q: If Im using Matrixdo I need to use de*nitrateas well?
A: That depends on a number of things. If Matrixis doing the job for you (i.e. keeping nitrite/nitrate under control) then, no. If youre running a flow rate higher than 50 gallons/hour, then you wont be able to use de*nitrateanyway since it requires a flow rate slower than that to support the denitrifying bacteria. If filter size and capacity are an issue, then de*nitratewill provide a more efficient removal of nitrate per volume of product (i.e. you can use less de*nitrateby volume than Matrixto get the same denitrifying capacity). Also, de*nitratehas the capacity to remove nitrates by chemical absorption on initial use of the product, although if nitrate levels are very high (above 20 mg/L) we recommend a water change as the most economical approach to getting your nitrate level down before putting these products into service.
Q: How long does it take for Matrix to grow the necessary anaerobic bacteria to remove nitrate?
A: This all depends on the stage of biological establishment of your tank, placement of Matrix and flow rate. Generally you will start to see improvement in a couple of weeks but every situation varies.
Q: If I buy a small hang-on-tank filter, and fill it solely with Matrix,will that be effective? What is the best type of filter to put Matrix in?
A: It will work but not nearly as well, a canister filter is recommended.
Q: Will using Matrix affect the PH of the water?
A: No, It is an inert media that will not directly impact your pH.
Q: Is it theoretically possible to achieve near-zero nitrate levels using Matrix?
A: If you have a fish load it would be extremely difficult to bring down your nitrates to zero (fish foods, waste, being introduced on a daily basis). However, it will help maintain your nitrates at lower levels.
Q: I have a few new customers that are telling me that Aquarium Pharmaceutical's product, called Bio Chem Stars - - is better because the same amount Bio Chem Stars compared to Matrix will handle a much larger amount of water.
A: 1 L of Matrix treats 100 gallons and 1 container of the bio chem stars with 20 stars treats 100 gallons. Both cost exactly the same (at Dr. Fosters web site). Also the information on the Aquarium pharm website says the pore size is in the 50-70 micron range and they do not specifically mention denitryifing bacteria... that coupled with the fact that Matrix has a pore size in the 3-30 micron range (and it does support anaerobic denitrifying bacteria) strongly suggests that the bio chem stars only support aerobic bacteria, not anaerobic... so it only does half of what Matrix does.
The following is Seachem link;
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/Matrix.html
This is from there Q&A page;
Matrix Support
Q: Im using Matrix, but my nitrates are not coming down, its been at the same level for awhile now, whats wrong?
A: Nothings wrong. The product is working just as it should. The removal of nitrates essentially comes down to one parameter: rate. The rate at which your tank is producing nitrates and the rate at which it can remove them. If you fill a bathtub with the spigot wide open and try to keep it from overflowing by draining it out of a straw, it wont be long until it overflows. However, if you drain it at the same rate it fills, the level will always stay the same. Or, if it nearly fills up and then you drain it at a rate faster than it is filling, the level will drop. The same applies to nitrate removal. To lower nitrates you must equip your tank with the capacity to remove them at a rate greater than or equal to the rate of formation. So, if your nitrates are holding steady and you want them to come down, increase the amount of Matrixyou are using or use de*Nitratein addition to the Matrix(de*Nitratewill more efficiently remove nitrates per volume of product assuming a flow rate of not more than ~50 gallons/hour). If you need to use a higher flow rate, than stick with Matrixor try Pond Matrix, both of which support anaerobic denitrification at higher flow rates.
Q: If Im using Matrixdo I need to use de*nitrateas well?
A: That depends on a number of things. If Matrixis doing the job for you (i.e. keeping nitrite/nitrate under control) then, no. If youre running a flow rate higher than 50 gallons/hour, then you wont be able to use de*nitrateanyway since it requires a flow rate slower than that to support the denitrifying bacteria. If filter size and capacity are an issue, then de*nitratewill provide a more efficient removal of nitrate per volume of product (i.e. you can use less de*nitrateby volume than Matrixto get the same denitrifying capacity). Also, de*nitratehas the capacity to remove nitrates by chemical absorption on initial use of the product, although if nitrate levels are very high (above 20 mg/L) we recommend a water change as the most economical approach to getting your nitrate level down before putting these products into service.
Q: How long does it take for Matrix to grow the necessary anaerobic bacteria to remove nitrate?
A: This all depends on the stage of biological establishment of your tank, placement of Matrix and flow rate. Generally you will start to see improvement in a couple of weeks but every situation varies.
Q: If I buy a small hang-on-tank filter, and fill it solely with Matrix,will that be effective? What is the best type of filter to put Matrix in?
A: It will work but not nearly as well, a canister filter is recommended.
Q: Will using Matrix affect the PH of the water?
A: No, It is an inert media that will not directly impact your pH.
Q: Is it theoretically possible to achieve near-zero nitrate levels using Matrix?
A: If you have a fish load it would be extremely difficult to bring down your nitrates to zero (fish foods, waste, being introduced on a daily basis). However, it will help maintain your nitrates at lower levels.
Q: I have a few new customers that are telling me that Aquarium Pharmaceutical's product, called Bio Chem Stars - - is better because the same amount Bio Chem Stars compared to Matrix will handle a much larger amount of water.
A: 1 L of Matrix treats 100 gallons and 1 container of the bio chem stars with 20 stars treats 100 gallons. Both cost exactly the same (at Dr. Fosters web site). Also the information on the Aquarium pharm website says the pore size is in the 50-70 micron range and they do not specifically mention denitryifing bacteria... that coupled with the fact that Matrix has a pore size in the 3-30 micron range (and it does support anaerobic denitrifying bacteria) strongly suggests that the bio chem stars only support aerobic bacteria, not anaerobic... so it only does half of what Matrix does.
