Siporax vs. MarinePure

Daniel@R2R · Apr 5, 2017

Hey guys, I'm finally setting up my frag tank, and I'm trying to decide on whether to use Siporax or MarinePure in the sump for biological filtration. I've used MarinePure before, but for some reason I seem to see more users using Siporax lately. Does one work better than the other? What do you guys recommend and why?

OH, and how much should I use for a small frag tank of about 22g (with a sump that might hold about the same volume again)?

roostertech · Apr 5, 2017

I use both, 8x8x4 block of MP, and shove siporax where I can't fit MP

saltyhog · Apr 5, 2017

I'm using on 8x8x4 Marine pure and two Brightwell bricks. I ran two Marine pure for about a year. Great for nitrification but I did not see any decrease in NO3 without carbon dosing. Moved the tank 4 months ago and bioload is a little lower(6 wrasse, 1 small tang, 1 large Copperband butterfly) but with the combo of Marine Pure and Brightwell my nitrates are barely detectable with Red Sea and not detectable with Salifert.

Daniel@R2R · Apr 5, 2017

BUMP #reefsquad

dbl · Apr 5, 2017

Sorry Daniel...can't be much help as I've never used either. It will be interesting to see the responses though.

Maritimer · Apr 5, 2017

I've been using a multi-pronged attack on nitrate, which includes Marine Pure, No3-Po4-X, and Vibrant.

Been a long time since my corals looked this good, and they've never expanded bigger.

~Bruce

Reefrookie220 · Apr 5, 2017

OMG ! Dude the answer to this question is like the search for the fountain of youth!

I've got 2 threads on the subject and can't come up with anything other than "siporax is awesome!"

I'm contemplating using it and documenting the process/ progress in my new build thread just so the information is available.

Either way, know I'm tagging along to see what you can find out!

Donovan Joannes · Apr 5, 2017

Siporax or any bio filtration material (porous media) will work wonderfully. I am currently using bio media as my sole nutrient export mechanism and works perfectly fine.

Reefrookie220 · Apr 5, 2017

Donovan Joannes said:
Siporax or any bio filtration material (porous media) will work wonderfully. I am currently using bio media as my sole nutrient export mechanism and works perfectly fine.

Pics? Method of use? Params and system info?

Feeding routine? Fish population?

Sorry for all the questions, but very interested in your answers.

hart24601 · Apr 5, 2017

I have been running marine pure blocks, bag of siporax and great big bag of eheim substrat pro.

I just cleaned everything out and decided I am sticking with blocks and I removed all the bags. The blocks didn't seem to trap detritus but the bags were frequently pretty dirty.

sa6hir · Apr 5, 2017

I'm using siporax and alfragog in my 220g reef everything apart from phosphate is bang on, I've got seachem matrix in my 200l quarantine that's working wonders too.

Donovan Joannes · Apr 6, 2017

Reefrookie220 said:
Pics? Method of use? Params and system info?

Feeding routine? Fish population?

Sorry for all the questions, but very interested in your answers.

My DIY denitrator (porous media in reactor) in 10G sump. Dymax LS10 skimmer (9 hours duty cycle per day). That is the only filtration system I am using. 5" foxface, 4" dory, 6 anthias, watchman blenny, mandarin, yellow tail goby, 3" scopas tang, dragon & green wrasse. 5 times feeding (cylops, dried frozen mysis, hikari marine A pellets and nori).

Reefrookie220 · Apr 6, 2017

Donovan Joannes said:
My DIY denitrator (porous media in reactor) in 10G sump. Dymax LS10 skimmer (9 hours duty cycle per day). That is the only filtration system I am using. 5" foxface, 4" dory, 6 anthias, watchman blenny, mandarin, yellow tail goby, 3" scopas tang, dragon & green wrasse. 5 times feeding (cylops, dried frozen mysis, hikari marine A pellets and nori).

Awesome thank you! Final question. How much media in the reactor?

Rakie · Apr 6, 2017

Siporax doesn't allow detritus to build up, I think that's why people prefer it. It also stacks nice and neat allowing the OCD in all of us to be satiated.

Donovan Joannes · Apr 6, 2017

Reefrookie220 said:
Awesome thank you! Final question. How much media in the reactor?

My tank is 75G, that white reactor is 24" high, interconnected with 1" pipe via bulkhead. Filled with bio media.

Daniel@R2R · Apr 6, 2017

How much siporax do I need for a 22g frag tank?

Rakie · Apr 6, 2017

The thing with Siporax is it's less densely packed with bacteria -- So the goal is always as much as possible.

Daniel@R2R · Apr 6, 2017

Rakie said:
The thing with Siporax is it's less densely packed with bacteria -- So the goal is always as much as possible.

Right... but that's not helpful for planning. Is a liter enough to start out? Should I get 2 liters?

Also, is the pond siporax better, or should I just get the aquarium variety (the aquarium stuff is supposedly smaller but more expensive)...

roostertech · Apr 6, 2017

If you believe the packaging 1L is enough for 53g

Rakie · Apr 6, 2017

mdbannister said:
Right... but that's not helpful for planning. Is a liter enough to start out? Should I get 2 liters?

Also, is the pond siporax better, or should I just get the aquarium variety (the aquarium stuff is supposedly smaller but more expensive)...

Every inch of your sump that is not the return pump*

I prefer Pond size, more anaerobic space, stacks well, less gunk gets trapped. Probably 3 minimum, 5L+ ideal. I have 3L, I want 5+ myself.