Seachem duel (De*Nitrate vs Matrix). What is the big difference???

[Stuginski]

Hi guys...

I have to confess I really like some seachem products...and in my search for a good media to host anaerobic and aerobic bacteria I found two products that to me are very similar: Seachem matrix and Seachem de*nitrate (http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...es/Matrix.html - http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...denitrate.html ).

Reading the profile of both products I noted tiny differences ( natural vs sinthetic, and the media size)...but in true it seems to me that they are exactly equals! Same benefits, same function, same way to use...and same kg/gal too!!!!

So here is my question: There is some difference that my stupid brain can´t find ???? If has...what is the better option for colonizing media????

Thank you all

D.

[bertoni]

I can't tell much from the descriptions, either. De*Nitrate claims to have some ability to bind nitrate, which likely isn't important. They both will function as artificial live rock, so the only question is which one has the correct porosity, etc. I have no way of knowing which might be more effective. They might be about the same, in the long run.

[Stuginski]

Thank you for your opinion Jonathan!!!

You, Tom and Cliff are always helping me with my doubts!!!!

Let´s wait another opinions about this...

maybe from someone that used one of this products.

Best Regards

D.

[gablett]

I used denitrate. I still have a ton of it. Didnt do a thing for my tank. Vodka dosing for 3 months got my nitrates from 30+ down to 2 as of today.

[builderguy]

I use deNitrate with fairly good results, but planning on switching to BioPellets to get better.

Also, I just start using SeaGel which is their carbon/phosphate removal combo...knock my phospates to zero in just a few days...very impressed.

[Stuginski]

hummm..intersting...two pretty different results..with the same midia

I´m thinking to use matrix or de*nitrate together with vodca and bacteria (Mb7 or Stability)...so the midia is just for host my bacteria, cause my rocks are not so porous and I will go with a barebottom reef.

I´m really confused...to choose the best method for denitrification and phosphate reduction in my new reef.
Probably I will opened another thread to discuss the possibilities...but for now I just wanna know the real difference between this two seachen products...and which will be most effective to provide good area for the bac´s.

thks guys!

D.

[RegalAngel]

You can ask Seachem here:

http://www.seachem.com/support/forum...isplay.php?f=7

[thebanker]

Originally Posted by Stuginski

hummm..intersting...two pretty different results..with the same midia

I´m thinking to use matrix or de*nitrate together with vodca and bacteria (Mb7 or Stability)...so the midia is just for host my bacteria, cause my rocks are not so porous and I will go with a barebottom reef.

I´m really confused...to choose the best method for denitrification and phosphate reduction in my new reef.
Probably I will opened another thread to discuss the possibilities...but for now I just wanna know the real difference between this two seachen products...and which will be most effective to provide good area for the bac´s.

thks guys!

D.

I think dosing MB7, vodka, and using either de*nitrate or matrix will work well, provided you make sure loose detritus and waste particles are filtered out before they reach the media. I think that would help it stay more biologically balanced, and not become a haven for only nitrifying bacteria.

[Stuginski]

Thanks Regal...thanks thebanker!!!!!

I will contact Seachem to clarify about the big difference between these two media...and ..which of these would help me more in my case!!!

Thanks for everyone!!!!

Sorry for my terrible english

D.

[bidny]

You are correct that these are two similar products. Their big difference is the size of the media, which dictates the required flow for denitrification.

Since de*nitrate is smaller, it requires a very slow flow to maintain an anaerobic environment. A heavy flow would turn de*nitrate into a nitrification-only system, like bio-balls.

Matrix, on the other hand, is large enough to have both a nitrification area on the surface and a denitrification area in the interior. This is similar to how live rock works. The flow for Matrix can be much higher, since the interior of the media will still be anaerobic.

I don't remember the recommended flow rates. However, I'm sure you can get them from Seachem's site.

[troyman]

seachem makes very good products we all get differnt results from usung the same products i am a believer in phosoguard never a algae problem some dont like it i dont like gfo to each there own i guess

[thebanker]

Seachem makes great products. I tried to do some research on matrix, and I can't find anyone who has used it and has rave reviews. If you have a system that is light in live rock, it makes sense as an alternative or to place in a canister. I think eheim substrat is a similar product with a longer history of being used in the hobby.

I was thinking about this and it's possible that de*nitrate may work best in a coil denitrator, refugium, or similar low-flow situation. Maybe even under the sandbed as an induced plenum.

[bertoni]

SeaChem makes a range of products. Some of them are great, and some are worth avoiding. I wouldn't use their magnesium supplement, since it's basically just epsom salts, and their calcium polygluconate product has some issues. I like the Matrix Carbon a lot, though, and Cupramine is excellent, from what I've been told.

[thebanker]

I've had an issue with Phosguard. Made my soft corals "cringe" after running it for a week. RHF said it had to do with the aluminum content in phosguard.

I love Seachem Reef Fusion 2-part. It's worked great for me.

Jon what is the deal w/ matrix carbon?

[bertoni]

The Matrix Carbon probably isn't as good as some of the other sources, but it does do well in some tests, and it's been fairly dust-free for me. I guess I'd get another carbon from other sources at this point, for cost reduction and equal, if not better, quality.

[thebanker]

Ok good to know. I'm going to stick with my Marineland black diamond, it's fairly effective from a cost standpoint and easy to obtain.

[nuccadoc]

Originally Posted by thebanker

Ok good to know. I'm going to stick with my Marineland black diamond, it's fairly effective from a cost standpoint and easy to obtain.

I would ask Boomer about this, but I remember him saying that this brand of carbon is not recommended because it is not acid-washed. Seachem is highly recommended however it is more expensive and there is very little dust.

The proper use of De-Nitrate is to put it in a chamber (I made one out of PVC), put a gate valve on the input side and measure the output so it is not more than 50 gal/hr. THe product does not become exhausted and basically functions as live rock.

Scott

[thebanker]

I saw a scattergram that showed the efficiency of activated carbon brands with respect to cost on the y axis and efficacy on the x axis. Black diamond was up there. I did read something about it not being acid washed, but what is the problem w/ that exactly? There is more dust?

Cool, you're the first I've heard to mention positive results with de*nitrate! Thanks for sharing. Do you have any pictures or diagrams?

[nuccadoc]

Here's the link for the Carbon discussion....

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...=boomer+carbon

Sorry, I don't have any pictures of the chambers.

Scott