Marine Pure vs. Bioballs

[john.m.cole3]

What are the pros and cons of both to use in order to control your nitrated?

 

[JMLewis]

Marine Pure has a ridiculously larger amount of surface area. However there's a theory that Marine Pure leaches Aluminum. I use an 8x8x1 block in my tank and haven't seen any issues. But i don't send my water to be tested by Triton either. Bio balls are a waste of sump space IMO and love to build up detritus and eventually end up causing more nitrates than they remove.

 

[Sabellafella]

Bioballs are extremely extremely effective at converting ammonia---nitrate but no denitrification. Marine pure balls are kinda the same just like 20× or more effective. Marine pure blocks cover everything plus denitrification

 

[Sabellafella]

Marine Pure has a ridiculously larger amount of surface area. However there's a theory that Marine Pure leaches Aluminum. I use an 8x8x1 block in my tank and haven't seen any issues. But i don't send my water to be tested by Triton either. Bio balls are a waste of sump space IMO and love to build up detritus and eventually end up causing more nitrates than they remove.

They do leach aluminum when they melt due to low ph zones (i think) but ive ran a poly pad in my bubbletrap as a cheap option every 3-4 months. If its alot other metals i use metasorb

 

[john.m.cole3]

Well, it seems like Marine Pure is a lower maintenance AND cheaper option to keep my trates down. I thought I read earlier today where you, @Sabellafella , used bioballs in your tanks now due to the live rock not being able to handle the denitrification process... I got a simz 202 skimmer for my new 72 build as well as a reactor for GAC/GFO... does this sound like enough, overkill, or not enough to handle my nutrients? I like to run tons of fish in my tank, but have only been at it for a year, so I need yous guys advice. I'm not sure weather to get the 8x8x1 or 8x84 media block for my sump or the bioballs. Also, would one need a powerhead blowing through the Marine block to keep detritus build up on the low? I've heard so many negative things concerning bioballs today until I read where @Sabellafella uses them regularly. I'm just trying to make a nice piece of art in my living room and be successful at growin sum corals/ perciate it y'all!

 

[john.m.cole3]

is the poly pad a safer option?

 

[john.m.cole3]

bump

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

is the poly pad a safer option?

To accomplish what?

I doubt much denitrification takes place ion it, and it won't bind appreciable nitrate from seawater.

 

[TaylorPilot]

From what I have read, you want to get the 8x4x4. It is the only one thick enough to create an anaerobic layer in the middle and begin to reduce nitrates. At least so they say. You can't put it in a super high flow area though, or the water will be forced through too fast not creating that anaerobic layer.

@Randy Holmes-Farley , just from the context of the sentence, it looks like he was using it to try and absorb any aluminum.

 

[cu455]

What are your nitrates? There are much better ways of reducing nitrates then adding a marine block or bioballs, that is if they will actually reduce nitrates. My preferred way is bio pellets because it is basically set and forget. You can also carbon dose or incorporate a deep sand bed.

Here is a simple deep sand bed that someone posted on Sharkraycentral.com. If you don't want to run an extra pump you can hook it up to your overflow.

Remote DSB filters rock! Here's a really easy one to make super cheap, and super easy. Just fill 'er up with sand, and you be enjoying lower nitrates in about 5 - 6 weeks!

It's made of a Red Sea 200 gallon mix bucket, a via aqua pump, and some basic plumbing parts/ hose.

 

[Sabellafella]

Well, it seems like Marine Pure is a lower maintenance AND cheaper option to keep my trates down. I thought I read earlier today where you, @Sabellafella , used bioballs in your tanks now due to the live rock not being able to handle the denitrification process... I got a simz 202 skimmer for my new 72 build as well as a reactor for GAC/GFO... does this sound like enough, overkill, or not enough to handle my nutrients? I like to run tons of fish in my tank, but have only been at it for a year, so I need yous guys advice. I'm not sure weather to get the 8x8x1 or 8x84 media block for my sump or the bioballs. Also, would one need a powerhead blowing through the Marine block to keep detritus build up on the low? I've heard so many negative things concerning bioballs today until I read where @Sabellafella uses them regularly. I'm just trying to make a nice piece of art in my living room and be successful at growin sum corals/ perciate it y'all!

 

[Sabellafella]

I use a handfull still in all my setups, i dont use them wet/dry. I use all 3 the bioballs spheres and the brick, i guess its were you place the marine pure as it tends to collect a little ditritus in a low flow area, i dont think ive ever cleaned mine once

 

[KingTriton]

How about Seachem Matrix vs Marine Pure

 

[Sabellafella]

is the poly pad a safer option?

Theres plenty ways to skin a cat and your on the right track, polypads expensive but it works and imo its good to use once in a blue . People consider bioballs/filter socks a "nitrate factory" but the organics are going to breakdown regardless of your husbantry. If your trying to have denitrification, your going to need the block

 

[john.m.cole3]

I am going to be running a 29 gal sump, so may use the block as a stand to elevate my skimmer in the first chamber, GAC/GFO reactor and heater in 2nd chamber, bubble trap, then return and tunze osmolator sensor in the final chamber. I'll check w/ Triton every 3 months to monitor my metal levels and poly pad if needed. I think this plan is coming together pretty well now.

 

[Bob Escher]

Take a look at biohome media as well from https://greatwaveeng.com they are cylindercal and they have a huge area and are good ffor reducing nitrates. I used them in my freshwater system but also great in salt

 

[rookie1346]

I am going to be running a 29 gal sump, so may use the block as a stand to elevate my skimmer in the first chamber, GAC/GFO reactor and heater in 2nd chamber, bubble trap, then return and tunze osmolator sensor in the final chamber. I'll check w/ Triton every 3 months to monitor my metal levels and poly pad if needed. I think this plan is coming together pretty well now.

The block is very brittle and the vibration from you skimmer will eat away at the block.

 

[pingzing47]

My 58g with 20g sump runs 2 little fishes bio pellets in their 150 reactor and I dose Red Sea nopox. .04 phosphate and .2 nitrate. ASM 100g skimmer. FWIW

 

[jackson6745]

I have 1x large block 8x4x4, and 1 -1/2 gallon of spheres. After 3 months my nitrates dropped down between 2-5ppm when they were always 15-25ppm. No other changes were made to the system so I'm pretty sure it was the media denitrifying the system. I have a tank full of SPS thriving so I don't think leeching aluminum is an issue.
IMG_6505 by rich colombo, on Flickr

 

[TaylorPilot]

I have thought about making a container to hold two of these blocks. They would only allow water to enter in from the ends, creating a larger anaerobic area in the middle. I dunno if it would work well or not. The blocks are kind of expensive though.