AF life bio fil - what exactly does it do?

[kilnakorr]

I got a bag of AF bio fil from a fellow reefer, along with sime other AF product.
I'm not really sure what it does as forjm threads and reviews says one thing, but product description says something else.

According to AF this is good for new tanks and help with the nitrification process.
Users seems to agree it keeps nitrate levels in check, so denitrification.

Would it be worth using in an older tank (15 months?)
@Perry I've read some threads here where you mention this product

 

[Cflow]

It’s basically a media like siporax or other ceramic media that has bacteria on/in it to “speed up” the bacterial processes. I currently use it. I can’t say that it really sped up the process, but it does seem to be a quality product.

 

[Perry]

I got a bag of AF bio fil from a fellow reefer, along with sime other AF product.
I'm not really sure what it does as forjm threads and reviews says one thing, but product description says something else.

According to AF this is good for new tanks and help with the nitrification process.
Users seems to agree it keeps nitrate levels in check, so denitrification.

Would it be worth using in an older tank (15 months?)
@Perry I've read some threads here where you mention this product

Hi,
The material is pumice, as mentioned, pre-seeded with AF's proprietary bacteria, (Probiotic). Depending on application, whether passive or active in a reactor, introduce in smaller portions, and low flow if in a reactor. Be advised, it generally works quickly, so measure nutrients often. It is not specific to setting up a tank, it simply expands bio-filtration. Personally, I use siporax, due to it being highly porous.
Cheers

 

[kilnakorr]

Hi,
The material is pumice, as mentioned, pre-seeded with AF's proprietary bacteria, (Probiotic). Depending on application, whether passive or active in a reactor, introduce in smaller portions, and low flow if in a reactor. Be advised, it generally works quickly, so measure nutrients often. It is not specific to setting up a tank, it simply expands bio-filtration. Personally, I use siporax, due to it being highly porous.
Cheers

Thanks for the reply.
So you say that it does support denitrification, and lowers nutrients/nitrate?
I'm probably going to add it today, through a reactor so I can obviously do my own test, but just needed to be clear on what it is supposed to do. Maybe AF should reconsider mentioning this, as denitrification has great value for many reefers - if it is true.

 

[Perry]

Thanks for the reply.
So you say that it does support denitrification, and lowers nutrients/nitrate?
I'm probably going to add it today, through a reactor so I can obviously do my own test, but just needed to be clear on what it is supposed to do. Maybe AF should reconsider mentioning this, as denitrification has great value for many reefers - if it is true.

Basically it is a place to home bacteria, as its quite porous. In "their" Probiotic system, it's designed to be used with bacteria and C-source dosing, Pro Bio S and NP Pro. In many cases, depending on livestock, it alone could be sufficient for lower N&P, with use of skimmer. The difference is that it's seeded with their bacteria, so it goes to work straight away. In a reactor, it can be too efficient, so, as mentioned, keep a watchful eye on both N03 and P04. You should be able to settle these levels based on flow out of reactor, this is why I would start low on flow, and slowly increase based on test results. It would be impossible to determine amount, or flow, as every system is different, as well as livestock and coral cast. I personally use siporax, my N03 and P04 are very low, so in some cases I have to dose P04 and occasionally N03. I feed 10 fish 3 frozen cubes daily and currently have no need to dose carbon source.
Cheers

 

[kilnakorr]

Basically it is a place to home bacteria, as its quite porous. In "their" Probiotic system, it's designed to be used with bacteria and C-source dosing, Pro Bio S and NP Pro. In many cases, depending on livestock, it alone could be sufficient for lower N&P, with use of skimmer. The difference is that it's seeded with their bacteria, so it goes to work straight away. In a reactor, it can be too efficient, so, as mentioned, keep a watchful eye on both N03 and P04. You should be able to settle these levels based on flow out of reactor, this is why I would start low on flow, and slowly increase based on test results. It would be impossible to determine amount, or flow, as every system is different, as well as livestock and coral cast. I personally use siporax, my N03 and P04 are very low, so in some cases I have to dose P04 and occasionally N03. I feed 10 fish 3 frozen cubes daily and currently have no need to dose carbon source.
Cheers

Thanks.
So better stop the nitraphos minus, to start with until I have I see the effect on nutrients.
I do have Bio s and np pro also, so could try this - sounds like a 'zeovit' approach.