Nitrate reduction with Matrix

[TheXpander]

Hi all,

Running a 50g sumpless system which I need to reduce nitrates. I’m planning to load Seachem Matrix into my canister filter, where would be the best place to put it in (top? bottom?) It currently has ceramic media in the bottom, bio balls then sponges and finally floss. Really need to get on top of the nitrates, I tried NoPox but my nems hated it…..

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi all,

Running a 50g sumpless system which I need to reduce nitrates. I’m planning to load Seachem Matrix into my canister filter, where would be the best place to put it in (top? bottom?) It currently has ceramic media in the bottom, bio balls then sponges and finally floss. Really need to get on top of the nitrates, I tried NoPox but my nems hated it…..

I use chemipure elite for nitrate which brings it down and keeps it in check

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I use chemipure elite for nitrate which brings it down and keeps it in check

Just recognize that nothing in Chemipure binds and removes nitrate from seawater. Any real effect from these sorts of materials on nitrate is from binding of organic matter before it breaks down.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just recognize that nothing in Chemipure binds and removes nitrate from seawater. Any real effect from these sorts of materials on nitrate is from binding of organic matter before it breaks down.

Yes. The gfo within addresses my phosphate

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I use chemipure elite for nitrate which brings it down and keeps it in check

How does a carbon/gfo mix address nitrates?

Nitrates need to be consumed or removed. The gfo will help with PO4, but I've never seen or heard of it having any effect on nitrates.

 

[TheXpander]

I already run Rowaphos in a hob reactor for phos and it works great. Where do you have your Chemipure positioned?

 

[Pntbll687]

Hi all,

Running a 50g sumpless system which I need to reduce nitrates. I’m planning to load Seachem Matrix into my canister filter, where would be the best place to put it in (top? bottom?) It currently has ceramic media in the bottom, bio balls then sponges and finally floss. Really need to get on top of the nitrates, I tried NoPox but my nems hated it…..

I would switch the canister to go (in how the water flows through them)
1) mechanical fitration, sponges/filter pads/floss
2) biological filtration
3) chemical/carbon if needed

The way you have it now, the dirtiest particulate full water is hitting the biological media first, probably clogging up the porosity of the media, then gets trapped by the mechanical filtration at the end. The only place for the particulate to go is into the media you're running, reducing it's effectiveness.

Setting up with mechanical first will help you get the "cleanest" in terms of particulate free water into the bilogical media, thus giving it a chance to reduce nitrates without getting clogged with detritus.

Canister filters are fine for smaller tanks, but you do need to clean them and service them often.

 

[SPR1968]

Hi all,

Running a 50g sumpless system which I need to reduce nitrates. I’m planning to load Seachem Matrix into my canister filter, where would be the best place to put it in (top? bottom?) It currently has ceramic media in the bottom, bio balls then sponges and finally floss. Really need to get on top of the nitrates, I tried NoPox but my nems hated it…..

You need to get some flow through the matrix so put it were there is decent (not rapid) flow, and in my experience you need to use a lot more than the advertised capacity to get any result from it. My tank is much bigger but I have around 58 litres and even with that I still have to use other methods

If you are looking at very slow flow rates, try the De Nitrate version which is basically smaller pebbles

Also just remember the Matrix does need rinsing from time to time. I’ve just done it after 2 years and couldn’t see into the tank there was that much rubbish came out of it!

On the chemipure I thought that was primarily for phosphate reduction other than binding as already mentioned

To be honest, in a tank that size, simple water changes may be a good simple option for you

 

[TheXpander]

I would switch the canister to go (in how the water flows through them)
1) mechanical fitration, sponges/filter pads/floss
2) biological filtration
3) chemical/carbon if needed

The way you have it now, the dirtiest particulate full water is hitting the biological media first, probably clogging up the porosity of the media, then gets trapped by the mechanical filtration at the end. The only place for the particulate to go is into the media you're running, reducing it's effectiveness.

Setting up with mechanical first will help you get the "cleanest" in terms of particulate free water into the bilogical media, thus giving it a chance to reduce nitrates without getting clogged with detritus.

Canister filters are fine for smaller tanks, but you do need to clean them and service them often.

Thank you, this is really helpful!

 

[TheXpander]

You need to get some flow through the matrix so put it were there is decent (not rapid) flow, and in my experience you need to use a lot more than the advertised capacity to get any result from it. My tank is much bigger but I have around 58 litres and even with that I still have to use other methods

If you are looking at very slow flow rates, try the De Nitrate version which is basically smaller pebbles

Also just remember the Matrix does need rinsing from time to time. I’ve just done it after 2 years and couldn’t see into the tank there was that much rubbish came out of it!

On the chemipure I thought that was primarily for phosphate reduction other than binding as already mentioned

To be honest, in a tank that size, simple water changes may be a good simple option for you

Thanks, I’ve tried with water changes but it doesn’t seem to work well and it uses a ton of salt.
You use 58litres of it? Wow.

 

[vetteguy53081]

How does a carbon/gfo mix address nitrates?

Nitrates need to be consumed or removed. The gfo will help with PO4, but I've never seen or heard of it having any effect on nitrates.

It reduces nitrates by removing dissolved organics
It does however remove phosphate and silicates as well as coppers and some metals
Been using this over a decade + with no elevated no3 and no4 levels
I haven’t seen cyano in many years in my tank nor have algae issues at all. Reduced phosphate is my big benefit
Denitrifying bacteria I also add monthly as I rarely do water changes

 

[TheXpander]

I would switch the canister to go (in how the water flows through them)
1) mechanical fitration, sponges/filter pads/floss
2) biological filtration
3) chemical/carbon if needed

The way you have it now, the dirtiest particulate full water is hitting the biological media first, probably clogging up the porosity of the media, then gets trapped by the mechanical filtration at the end. The only place for the particulate to go is into the media you're running, reducing it's effectiveness.

Setting up with mechanical first will help you get the "cleanest" in terms of particulate free water into the bilogical media, thus giving it a chance to reduce nitrates without getting clogged with detritus.

Canister filters are fine for smaller tanks, but you do need to clean them and service them often.

What media would you recommend removing to make way for the Matrix?

 

[Pntbll687]

What media would you recommend removing to make way for the Matrix?

I'd remove the bio balls if they are the plastic ones.

I have a canister running on my 33 long mushroom tank and it's set up like this
Tray 1 - two coarse sponges
Tray 2 - two medium sponges
Tray 3 - filled with seachem matrix
Tray 4 - half filled with matrix, add a small bag of carbon if needed after a water change

 

[TheXpander]

Thanks, yeah a tray is full of plastic bio balls, I'll get rid.
It also has a tray of ceramic rings, should I ditch them too?
None of this will affect the cycle will it?
So 1 is bottom and 4 top?
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, much appreciated.

On a side note tonight I CAUGHT THE 6 LINE THAT HAS BEEN TERRORISING THE TANK!!!!!!!!!!
Never again honestly - had to remove most of the rock, drain half the water.....it's definitely beer time now.
Only peaceful fish from now on. It killed my Gramma, Blue Cheek Goby and African Pygmy Angel and almost killed my Firefish....

 

[Pntbll687]

Thanks, yeah a tray is full of plastic bio balls, I'll get rid.
It also has a tray of ceramic rings, should I ditch them too?
None of this will affect the cycle will it?
So 1 is bottom and 4 top?
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, much appreciated.

On a side note tonight I CAUGHT THE 6 LINE THAT HAS BEEN TERRORISING THE TANK!!!!!!!!!!
Never again honestly - had to remove most of the rock, drain half the water.....it's definitely beer time now.
Only peaceful fish from now on. It killed my Gramma, Blue Cheek Goby and African Pygmy Angel and almost killed my Firefish....

the tray numbers I use is how the water passes through them. tray 1 would be the first tray the water hits, tray 2 is the 2nd, and so on...

If you have enough rock in your display it shouldn't affect the cycle at all.

The ceramic rings I don't know. If they are porous then keep them. If they are hard and a barely absorb water then toss em.

 

[Malcontent]

You can just use pumice instead of Matrix. Seachem claims it's a special grade yet people have found the same contaminant rocks one would find in stuff you buy from Lowe's.

 

[jcolliii]

I run poly floss atop one of my two corners in an IM25 with a liter of Matrix (pumice) combined with coral rubble below that in a bag. There are always bubbles under the floss when I change it out - assuming nitrogen. I give the Matrix credit for keeping my NO3 very stable and very low (typically 7-9) and I only have ~5lbs of man-made rock in my tank, just two of Tropi Eden's Morroca plates - and sometimes I have to dose ESV Nitrate to keep it in the sweet spot where I like it. If you run pumice, just remember to give it a good clean out in tank water at least once a year.

 

[TheXpander]

Thanks so much everyone, Matrix is now in so I’ll see what happens.

 

[Radicalrob1982]

Hi all,

Running a 50g sumpless system which I need to reduce nitrates. I’m planning to load Seachem Matrix into my canister filter, where would be the best place to put it in (top? bottom?) It currently has ceramic media in the bottom, bio balls then sponges and finally floss. Really need to get on top of the nitrates, I tried NoPox but my nems hated it…..

Honestly just fill the cannister with matrix. It works wonders if you maintain it and rinse it out in tank water. And obviously water changes will also help tremendously. Why are your nitrates so high? Have you checked your ro water before it's added ?

 

[Radicalrob1982]

By almost filling the cannister it's fine create a nice size area for denitrification