@gbroadbridge
in scanning this thread I'm seeing in increased expenditure of roll material based on nitrate readings
I don't own a roller mat/haven't read them other than a cursory read that all they're doing is exposing fresh/non channeled surface area to wastewater to pick up detritus, that's their sole function, a physical catch? and as that section of contact area clogs/gets channeled by particulate aggregates/the roller moves into place a new/clean section
I read that these are not chemical adsorbing pads they're physical catchment of waste is that correct? the rollermats which contact wastewater don't have nitrate-removing abilities is that correct
and then after gaining that clarification, I want to know what nitrate test kit here is in play such that we believe the levels enough to be making this much impactful change to filtration of common detritus in a reef tank. in nitrate test kit comparison threads, the results per kit brandname range often even off the same water sample/different kits ran by the tank owner and posted.
I'm trying to determine if anything bad can actually happen from a roller mat running at excessive speed (can you really have too little particulate organic matter? we see bare bottom, high flow, zero storage sps and live rock antler tanks all the time. carrying a nice fish bioload helps offset too little nitrogen availability from compacted waste stores)
I'm trying to determine what would actually change in a reef tank if we didn't use a rollermat machine, there would be more detritus? heck anyone without a bare bottom is storing massive detritus loads in sand, why wait for it to traverse the water column and wind up in an expensive catchment mat setup...go barebottom, high flow, high intercept rate through one sock or two? these machines are not wasting money/they're beneficial?
