Brightwell Aquatics - Xport NO3 Brick ?

SPR1968 · Jul 6, 2017

I was just wondering if anybody has tried this ?

My LFS has started selling them and i have read the info on their web site and it looks quiet good as an alternative to the Marine Pure Blocks which I was originally going to try for some additional Nitrate removal.

ebushrow · Jul 6, 2017

bought 1 last night....thought it was worth a try....following along too!

SPR1968 · Jul 6, 2017

ebushrow said:
bought 1 last night....thought it was worth a try....following along too!

Well can you put it in and and let me know how you get on ! lol

ebushrow · Jul 6, 2017

SPR1968 said:
Well can you put it in and and let me know how you get on ! lol

I would but the tank is not delivered yet and my old ones are good...not gonna take a chance there

ReefAddict007 · Jul 6, 2017

Following...I'd like feedback on what you guys think of those.

Stugots · Jul 8, 2017

Following, too. Anyone running these?

Piranhapat · Jul 8, 2017

Put one in my tank March 1, nitrates 03. Probably will add other when more fish are in the tank.

SPR1968 · Jul 10, 2017

Piranhapat said:
Put one in my tank March 1, nitrates 03. Probably will add other when more fish are in the tank.

Just out of interest, what were your nitrates at before adding the NO3 Brick, did you seed it, and how long did it take to work ? Is that 3ppm or 0.3ppm ?

Piranhapat · Jul 10, 2017

SPR1968 said:
Just out of interest, what were your nitrates at before adding the NO3 Brick, did you seed it, and how long did it take to work ? Is that 3ppm or 0.3ppm ?

It's 0.3ppm, I started my new system with it. So it was seeded when I cycled the tank. I did a fish less cycle by adding ammonia and bacteria. All I can say is when my nitrites went to zero my nitrates went no higher than 20 ppm. And about a 4-6 weeks tested nitrates and now at 0.3 or lower. I was running gfo I pulled that since not many fish are in the tank. I have no LR in sump just No3 block.

SPR1968 · Jul 12, 2017

I've just ordered the Xport NO3 brick and a small bottle of microbacter7 so will see what happens!!

uclaray · Jul 12, 2017

I put one in my sump about nine months ago. Since then, I saw some reports about them falling apart over time. Sure enough mine is doing the same thing. Feels like mush when I push my finger on it. I'm going to have to vacuum my sump to clean it all out. Going back to Marine Pure.

Piranhapat · Jul 12, 2017

If you call brightwell and tell them about the block falling apart they will send you a new one. Some blocks got out which had the Harding ingredient missing. Which cause the blocks to fall apart. I spoke to them at Reef A Palooza. Which I told them that I read a few post that they blocks are falling apart. I hope this helps.

uclaray · Jul 12, 2017

Piranhapat said:
If you call brightwell and tell them about the block falling apart they will send you a new one. Some blocks got out which had the Harding ingredient missing. Which cause the blocks to fall apart. I spoke to them at Reef A Palooza. Which I told them that I read a few post that they blocks are falling apart. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the info I'll try that

Orly20 · Jul 12, 2017

I bought two Xport bricks and they do work keeping nitrates low but they fall apart and create a mess in your sump. I just threw away one and have replaced it with 3L of siporax. I intend to do the same with the other brick, toss it. I wrote to Kent and he did respond saying I might have bought a bad one and he'd replace it but after sending him a video of if it just crumbling apart with the slightest touch I have still not heard back from him. Lost me on this one

Orly20 · Jul 12, 2017

Orly20 said:
I bought two Xport bricks and they do work keeping nitrates low but they fall apart and create a mess in your sump. I just threw away one and have replaced it with 3L of siporax. I intend to do the same with the other brick, toss it. I wrote to Kent and he did respond saying I might have bought a bad one and he'd replace it but after sending him a video of if it just crumbling apart with the slightest touch I have still not heard back from him. Lost me on this one

I just read your post after I hit send. Yea I'm going to stay away from no Xport bricks. I would advise on reading into marine pure leaching aluminum from last I read but they may have fixed it but still look into that before jumping into mp. Also look into siporax it's sintered glass and will not leach out anything

markster33139 · Jul 16, 2017

Don't waste your time they will crumble and fall apart. Plenty of complaints about this out there and I am positive that Brightwell is well aware of this. This is not a one off issue with a bad brick here and there, check out BRS reviews on this product.

SPR1968 · Jul 16, 2017

I know I've read all the reviews. Problem is I've got it now ! I've also read some good reviews of it as well. So I shall make the most of it and let you all know how I get on with it !LOL.

Im in the UK and it's being sold by a good LFS and I'm banking on the fact that if they were no good they wouldn't sell them as they would all keep getting returned for refunds as 'not suitable or purpose'. (Not sure if this is same in the US).

I'm going to seed it overnight with Microbacter7 and then put it in my sump and see what happens next!

SPR1968 · Jul 19, 2017

I've 'installed' the brick and will do write up on my build thread below and also put my thoughts on here

Seeded it with Microbacter7 and it's in the sump.

SPR1968 · Aug 7, 2017

Well an update

No change whatsoever. Not budged and still around 12-16 ppm. Tank looks fine so I may need to stop chasing numbers.

I've also added a bag of Purigen but no difference either!

I'm going to half the feeding and see what that does as well.

schooncw · Aug 11, 2017

I added an Xport NO3 brick to my 120 a few months back and it crumbled. Brightwell sent me another, no prob and yes, it sounds like quite a few of the bad ones got out. My distributor also sent me one N/C and I added another, for a total of three,which I have had in the tank for 3 weeks. Seeded with Microbacter 7. Time will tell!