Help with Brightwell Bio Brick

[Magostini]

Hey all I would like to ask a support from you. I started to cycle my tank 45 days ago with bio brick and only now I noticed the following in brightwell website:
"One important criteria in marine systems is gas exchange. Xport is the best bacterial media in the world, but it is not good at gas exchange. Bio balls are the best for gas exchange, so any system will work better with a small stack of bio balls placed in the main flow (in air)."
Does anybody know the impact of that? I am facing low ph measured by seneye reef monitor, this night achieved 7.66 and now it is 7.81. Max in the day.
This is somehow related to the brick. Only now I noticed that If the focus is ammonia and nitrite it is better to have above water... And mine is below..
Any thoughts?

Thank you!

 

[Operator Wrasse]

That description of the Brightwell Bricks never made sense to me. My only guess would be that by having the media exposed to the air, it could make the aerobic nitrifying bacteria more efficient by having more oxygen exchange. Personally, I would keep the brick below the waterline entirely to create a denitrifying anaerobic area, but I suffer from creeping nutrients. I do not believe this media would play an impact on pH. To raise your pH, I would start by creating more turbulence on the water's surface to induce more gas exchange. If this does not work, look to kalkwasser, a CO2 scrubber, refugiums or algae turf scrubbers, or running an airline from the skimmer to the outside of your home.

 

[Theulli]

"I would start by creating more turbulence on the water's surface to induce more gas exchan"

This - I don't fully understand what good the bio brick would do above water. Mine is completely submerged. Just point your powerhead or return pump outlet a little more at the top of the water.

The one downside I have found with the brightwell stuff is that it does degrade, and at a fairly good pace (I have had my small bio plate for 4 months and the B is almost totally gone from the front), just a heads up

 

[Magostini]

That description of the Brightwell Bricks never made sense to me. My only guess would be that by having the media exposed to the air, it could make the aerobic nitrifying bacteria more efficient by having more oxygen exchange. Personally, I would keep the brick below the waterline entirely to create a denitrifying anaerobic area, but I suffer from creeping nutrients. I do not believe this media would play an impact on pH. To raise your pH, I would start by creating more turbulence on the water's surface to induce more gas exchange. If this does not work, look to kalkwasser, a CO2 scrubber, refugiums or algae turf scrubbers, or running an airline from the skimmer to the outside of your home.

I have started only opening the window.. The ph raised to 7.95....I think the problem is Co2.. I will try to set a Co2 scrubber...

Thank you!

 

[Operator Wrasse]

Make sure you do your research on how they operate. If possible, I would hook up a solenoid to the scrubber so that it closes at an appropriate level, ie so the pH doesn't go over 8.4ish or under 8.1ish.

 

[Magostini]

Just a quick update here... Co2 scrubber (I build it) set since yesterday, about 20 hours ago and ph achieved 8.25....incredible... It really works!

 

[Magostini]

"I would start by creating more turbulence on the water's surface to induce more gas exchan"

This - I don't fully understand what good the bio brick would do above water. Mine is completely submerged. Just point your powerhead or return pump outlet a little more at the top of the water.

The one downside I have found with the brightwell stuff is that it does degrade, and at a fairly good pace (I have had my small bio plate for 4 months and the B is almost totally gone from the front), just a heads up

Hi just one question...how do you know the brick is degrading? I am about to achieve 4 months and nh3 started to raise...