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09/21/2015, 09:07 PM | #51 |
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Well, I'm online. I was able to get about 1.5L of media in the reactor. Based on calculations of the other thread, I set the reactor to about 80gal/hr (5" diameter reactor). This flow rate seems really high. If I did it by eye I'd probably be running half as much flow through there. Anyone care to comment?
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09/21/2015, 10:42 PM | #52 | |
Acro Whore
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Mixed reef emphasis on SPS. Tangs, Triggers, Bartlets, CBB, Goldflake Angel, and a Pigmy or two. Current Tank Info: 250G SPS Mixed Reef. ATLAS 84x28x24. SuperMarin 250. Cebu Sun 3 x 250WMH Radiums 4 x 80W T5. Profilux 3 w/GHL dosing CA-ALK-MG. Moved by Tunze and Vertex. Reef Octopus 5K return. |
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09/21/2015, 11:27 PM | #53 |
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I looked at it online, but at about 3 times the cost of matrix I decided to go with matrix first. If it doesn't work like i hope, I'll look into getting some siporax.
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09/22/2015, 08:30 AM | #54 |
Yeah Yeah
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I have been slowly changing out the rock rubble in my sump with MarinePure Biofilter Media Spheres. I think the round shape is great for allowing detritus to fall below where it can be siphoned during water changes. I'm just trying it out recently and will report back with any changes/observations.
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Richard - Officially done shipping coral. Don't ask! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2357196"]http://www.reefcentralcom/forums/showthread.php?t=2357196 Officially Done Shipping |
09/22/2015, 03:25 PM | #55 |
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I know this is silly but I really am trying to understand what Siporax does here...Can someone give me the general overview of using this product in an SPS tank?. I use bio pellets and vinegar on a separate system with success but id like to hear about Siporax. Thanks
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09/22/2015, 03:52 PM | #56 |
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The short version, it's a porous substrate to grow bacteria on. It's like adding 50 lb's of live rock to your tank for about a liter of material. It doesn't get used up and need replacement like bio pellets.
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09/22/2015, 05:17 PM | #58 |
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You aren't growing an excess of bacteria to harvest through a skimmer. It's just incredibly porous, so the surface area is exponentially greater than what you'd get with a similar amount of live rock. You will only grow enough bacteria to handle your bio load, increasing and decreasing on its own as needed.
People are using reactors get get a controlled amount of low over the media. To optimize its ability to remove nitrates from the water. The reactors also help to keep detritus from settling on it and clogging the pores. You do not have to run it in a reactor though, it's just not as efficient as it would be if you did. |
09/28/2015, 10:56 PM | #59 |
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I have been thinking about getting some matrix from LFS and just making a basket out of eggcrate and chucking it in sump. Earlier it had been mention possible issues running media like this with bio pellets. Is there anyone here that is running both? Or can elaborate on the possible problems. I am not running pellets right now, as don't have the need, but the plan in future is to use the all in one biopellets when needed (see Kryz Tryc's incredible reef... That is why I am interested in them as a future option)
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09/29/2015, 08:39 AM | #60 |
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I have mine sitting in filter socks in my sump at the moment. My tank is still cycling though. I don't think eggcrate alone is going to hold the matrix rocks. Some of them are small enough to fall through the openings. I'm going to keep mine in filter socks then build an eggcrate cage and set them in that. The filter socks will also help to keep detritus off of them.
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09/29/2015, 10:04 AM | #61 |
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I use 23 liters of siporax in my sump, not like forced flow. I like to think little passive water flow it will have less oxygen in it facilitating the formation of anaerobic bacterial cultures inside and not force debris into your pores.
I know that the amount is much higher than the SERA suggests, but I also know that it can do no harm that rock in the first part of the sump was just to acclimate a fish, is not part of filtering
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Leo. my reef tank http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=21795270#post21795270 |
09/29/2015, 10:11 AM | #62 | |
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This is just a place to growth bacterias. The concentration will change depending of the tank nutrients availability. If the bio pellets take it all then you will have a low bacteria population in the matrix. But why it will harm something that is an artificial rock. I have all my matrix in a HOB fuge in bags. My nitrates after some months went to undetectable levels. I am adding now a home made media reactor to increase the amount of Matrix. Excess will not affect the system. Bacterias will be more spread and I have an extra layer of protection. |
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09/29/2015, 03:56 PM | #63 | |
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Mixed reef emphasis on SPS. Tangs, Triggers, Bartlets, CBB, Goldflake Angel, and a Pigmy or two. Current Tank Info: 250G SPS Mixed Reef. ATLAS 84x28x24. SuperMarin 250. Cebu Sun 3 x 250WMH Radiums 4 x 80W T5. Profilux 3 w/GHL dosing CA-ALK-MG. Moved by Tunze and Vertex. Reef Octopus 5K return. |
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09/29/2015, 06:24 PM | #64 | |
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." Marx (Groucho) 80x20x20 Miracles Starfire Rimless, H&S A150-2001, GEO 612 CRx, GEO UMC420, Avast ATO, Gyre 150, Gyre 130, MP40, Eheim 1262, ATI |
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09/29/2015, 06:39 PM | #65 | |
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Leo. my reef tank http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=21795270#post21795270 |
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09/30/2015, 06:38 AM | #66 |
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Of course.... I see now that it's tape indicating levels and not treys... thanks.
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." Marx (Groucho) 80x20x20 Miracles Starfire Rimless, H&S A150-2001, GEO 612 CRx, GEO UMC420, Avast ATO, Gyre 150, Gyre 130, MP40, Eheim 1262, ATI |
09/30/2015, 06:02 PM | #67 |
AKA Flippa
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What do you guys think about these block. Could be stacked vertically so no detritus collects.
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Giovanni Most of My Money I Spent On Whiskey, Women and Reefing, The Rest I Just Waisted! Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef |
09/30/2015, 07:22 PM | #68 |
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There are some concerns that it may leach aluminum into the tank, although it is most likely in an inert form. A bigger concern to me (i looked into using that first) is that it apparently gets pretty brittle after a while. I can be a bit like a bull in a china shop when i'm working in my sump, so I didn't want to run the risk of breaking it up.
I think it would also be difficult to keep clean unless you have plenty of mechanical filtration in place. Yes, you can pull it out and wash it off in tank water, but that's not going to clean out the small pores. |
10/01/2015, 04:52 AM | #69 | |
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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Current Tank Info: 150XH SPS, Alpha 170, Lumenbright, 250 Radium / ATI Blue Plus |
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10/01/2015, 07:54 AM | #70 | ||
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10/01/2015, 08:10 AM | #71 |
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If memory serves me right, I believe D2Mini uses this on his set-up with success. His thread is in reef discussion. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ghlight=d2mini
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10/01/2015, 11:37 AM | #72 |
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Just wanted to confirm on the flow amount to reactor size breakdown, I assume those are inner diameter measurements?I have .5L of matrix in a mesh bag directly below the drain pipe in the sump but also have a nextreef smr1 laying around I can use to add more, since I ran a lot less LR per gallon this build I am fighting nitrate issues with carbon dosing now but want a permanent fix. Plan on filling the reactor just confirming the diameter so I know what pump to pair with it.
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10/01/2015, 11:51 AM | #73 |
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I personally wouldn't have matrix media inside a reactor. The reason being is what if the pump dies or the power goes off then all that bacteria inside the reactor will die.
I have my media placed in-between a baffle with a Tunze return pump which utilizes the Tunze back up SLA battery for just for this specific reason. Also, If you put matrix inside a media bag directly below the drain pipe you will likely incur a build up in nitrates. I find it best to place the media after a filter sock and protein skimmer. |
10/01/2015, 01:58 PM | #74 |
AKA Flippa
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How about adding a very small layer of biopellets to the reactor for a bit of "carbon dosing" to help feed the bacteria?
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Giovanni Most of My Money I Spent On Whiskey, Women and Reefing, The Rest I Just Waisted! Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef |
10/01/2015, 02:03 PM | #75 |
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hm, the bag has been there for 3 months with no buildup in that area, and nitrates have been going down, although not quickly as I have a minimal amount in there. Not sure why having the bag in direct line of water flow would cause anh increase in nitrates. Several others in here are running matrix in a reactor, there is even a guide for flow rate per reactor size....when power goes out water just sits in the reactor with no flow, same as if it was in the sump and power goes out.
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