anti
Full Member
Posts: 139 
|
Post by anti on Feb 17, 2015 23:29:11 GMT -5
Hello all,
Has anyone out there ever tried using a fludized bed with npx bioplastics for nitrate removal from freshwater? If so I am looking for some feed back and some do's and don't if possible
|
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Feb 18, 2015 9:47:50 GMT -5
Hello all, Has anyone out there ever tried using a fludized bed with npx bioplastics for nitrate removal from freshwater? If so I am looking for some feed back and some do's and don't if possible yup, I have one on my 40 gal planted tank now. Powerful little filter. Makes no noise and sits in my stand. No one even knows it's there. tips- use the correct amount of npx. More and it will drop your nitrates to zero real fast. use pre-filter on pump to the sand filter. This is required for proper use of the filter. give the filter about a month before it starts fluidizing. This happens when the filter is fully loaded with good bacteria. Its an amazing thing to see the filter do. I have other tricks for uses. Pictures and videos too. Let me know if you want more. These are the major suggestions I can think of right now. Its a great filter, considering how much it does. |
|
anti
Full Member
Posts: 139
|
Post by anti on Feb 18, 2015 10:22:04 GMT -5
yes please send me whatever you have. I am doing alot of research and I cant find anyone out there for freshwater. Through this website I understand about the use of purigen with it to cut down on the organics, but reading alot of nay-sayers ( that actually dont employ this method) saying that it dont work for freshwater or it creates algae
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Feb 18, 2015 11:35:46 GMT -5
|
|
anti
Full Member
Posts: 139
|
Post by anti on Feb 18, 2015 13:26:33 GMT -5
yes I have read your articles many of times. This is what has sparked my interest
|
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Feb 18, 2015 18:00:56 GMT -5
|
|
anti
Full Member
Posts: 139
|
Post by anti on Feb 18, 2015 21:20:37 GMT -5
I like your tank; very clean. I wish I had the knowledge base to do plants. I did them years ago and killed off a bunch in the process. I think I had too much conflicting information at the time and never quite got the hang of it. As far as your filter, is that fluidized reactor with sand or bio pellets? I'm thinking of emptying one of my baffles in my sump to put a pump connected to a tmc with bio pellets for nitrates. I currently have matrix right now and it has been close to 2 months with 0 reduction of nitrates (if anything its climbing). Not to mention that I have even more in bottles with holes in the reservoir and I got NADA! My nitrates are close to 20 ppm (maybe even 30 cause I am having a hard time destinquishing between colors) and it looks like I will have to go back to bi-weekly water changes until I get the reactor set up.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Feb 19, 2015 9:59:06 GMT -5
Anti; Matrix just begins to hits it capabilities as per de-nitrifying bacteria in 8+ weeks, 20-30 ppm nitrates is actually quite good. In most freshwater aquariums I would shoot for numbers under 40 ppm and still consider numbers up to 50 safe. Your bio load and increases in it may also make it seem that the Matrix is not working, but if the Matrix were not there, the nitrates might be higher yet. Remember, as an aquarium matures, the bio-load increases. Also it has been my experience that aquariums kept in an Amazon biotope often have produce more nitrates (in part due to decomposing peat, driftwood, etc.). As for plant keeping, one problem I have seen over the years is attempting to combine multiple methods. There is no one best way to keep a healthy planted aquarium, including my suggestions which lean toward a more hands off planted aquarium. I recommend choosing one method and sticking to it. Another issue with planted aquariums that is less of an issue today is lighting. Lighting was often an issue, but with the advent of much better PAR/PUR lighting from SHO, T5, T2 to premium LEDs, this should be much lass of an issue. Reference: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumPlants.htmlIn the FSB Filter, you would use a mix of the NPX Bio Pellets and sand for best results; generally 2/3 or more of it being sand. However this can vary and it takes some trial and error to find the sweet spot. I am sure Devon can tell you what his % ended up being. Carl |
|
anti
Full Member
Posts: 139
|
Post by anti on Feb 19, 2015 11:19:08 GMT -5
thanks Carl. Maybe when I decide to upgrade my tank size I'll consider plants. I hear what you are saying about the nitrate level, but I would feel more comfortable if it was between 5- 10. Hopefully Devon will give me some more info or tell me what his % is. In the meantime ..............more research
|
|
|
|
Post by angelminx on Feb 19, 2015 17:37:24 GMT -5
A quick note about plants:
You have to be sure that you get true aquatic plants--so many fish/pet stores sell terrestrial and/or bog plants (and a lot of them that's all they sell!) as aquarium plants. Some of the most available/popular "aquarium" plants are: Dumb Cane (I forget what they call it when selling it as an aquarium plant--it's also poisonous, though I don't know for sure if it has a toxic affect on fish when it deteriorates), Mondo Grass, Peacock and Umbrella Ferns, Umbrella Palms (AKA Parlor Palms), Brazilian Swords (Spathiphyllum, i.e. Peace Lily), Lucky Bamboo (which is fine if you plan to let it grow up out of the water), Acorus species (i.e Dwarf Rush, Japanese Rush, etc.), and others. Anubias and Java ferns do survive when submerged, even though they are not true aquatics...however I will note that I did buy some Anubias afzelli last fall, and they don't do particularly well for me.
Angelminx
|
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Feb 19, 2015 17:50:55 GMT -5
Yes, you use sand and the npx as directed on the package of the npx. It's powerful stuff, so over dose of npx will drop your nitrates to zero. Not the worst issue to have, but if you did want plants, you have to have some nitrates.
You even start at half dose and work your way up. 100ml per 25 gallons, (50ml per 25gal at half). Needs to be replaced every 3-6 months.
|
|
anti
Full Member
Posts: 139
|
Post by anti on Feb 19, 2015 22:18:57 GMT -5
Alright; now I'm getting somewhere!lol. 0 nitrates would be wonderful right now, but let me ask you.....did you ever have issues with cloudiness because of too much NPX until you started to dial it in? Also did the NPX cause any unwanted water conditions (i.e yellow water, organics from the deteriorating NPX, etc. etc.) that would cause you to have to use purigen (not that I have a problem with it; I think its a great product). I already know that purigen is highly recommended while using NPX. I hope you dont mind these questions. Your help in getting me to understanding is greatly appreciated!
|
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Feb 20, 2015 1:53:16 GMT -5
lol. Not a problem at all. Nope, no cloudiness. I am using purigen, but use wonder shells to make sure redox in the tank is not affected (purigen can harm fish health with long term use). My sterilizer helps a lot for keeping my tank clear.  |
|
|
|
Post by parker002 on Feb 20, 2015 8:58:35 GMT -5
For a planted aquarium, I'm in the same camp as Carl - "set it and forget it".
I don't do CO2 or fertilizer, other than the occasional dose of Flourish Excel to discourage algae growth.
I think the key for the novice plant keeper is to focus on hardy plants. I have Java moss, Java ferns, and red and green Crypts. The way mine grow, I feel confident in saying you'd be hard-pressed to kill them. In fact, I'd be willing to ship you some if you're interested, mine grow like weeds.
|
|
anti
Full Member
Posts: 139
|
Post by anti on Feb 20, 2015 10:12:55 GMT -5
Ok thanks Devon. Like I said earlier, I have been doing quite a bit of research and have virturally found no one who uses this for freshwater. You would think that a large forum like "simply discus" would have a ton of people with personal experience in using reactors or biopellets. Supposidly discus owners strive for 0 nitrates and will go to great lengths to achieve it. Some even do 50% water changes daily!!! The problem with such large forums is that your problem goes mostly ignored or you have the uninformed giving you uninformed answers or point out what else they see wrong other than the subject of the post. Thanks again for the quick and educational posts!
I would also like to thank Parker002 for his generosity for wanting to send plants, but as it currently stands my tank is nowhere near ready for that. i plan on doing a DIY project in the near future making a custom size "wooden aquarium", in which I will incorporate some plants. I PROMISE I WONT GO ANYWHERE ELSE FOR ANY INFORMATION I NEED!!! GOD SAVE THE AAP!!! LMAO
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Feb 20, 2015 10:28:25 GMT -5
Like I said earlier, I have been doing quite a bit of research and have virturally found no one who uses this for freshwater. You would think that a large forum like "simply discus" would have a ton of people with personal experience in using reactors or biopellets. Supposidly discus owners strive for 0 nitrates and will go to great lengths to achieve it. Some even do 50% water changes daily!!! The problem with such large forums is that your problem goes mostly ignored or you have the uninformed giving you uninformed answers or point out what else they see wrong other than the subject of the post. Unfortunately this is so common of many forums, including Reef Central. Often these forums will get personal if they cannot debate the facts. Honestly these are reasons I often feel like "throwing in the towel"! I have also witnessed this in forums outside the aquarium/pond keeping hobby, an example would be SEO/Webmaster forums (which deal with raising a web sites presence on Google searches). As for nitrate levels, while near 0 is a good goal, I think 15 ppm is more realistic and very healthy as per my own controlled tests a couple of decades ago Carl |
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Feb 21, 2015 15:18:08 GMT -5
Ok thanks Devon. Like I said earlier, I have been doing quite a bit of research and have virturally found no one who uses this for freshwater. You would think that a large forum like "simply discus" would have a ton of people with personal experience in using reactors or biopellets. Supposidly discus owners strive for 0 nitrates and will go to great lengths to achieve it. Some even do 50% water changes daily!!! The problem with such large forums is that your problem goes mostly ignored or you have the uninformed giving you uninformed answers or point out what else they see wrong other than the subject of the post. Thanks again for the quick and educational posts! I would also like to thank Parker002 for his generosity for wanting to send plants, but as it currently stands my tank is nowhere near ready for that. i plan on doing a DIY project in the near future making a custom size "wooden aquarium", in which I will incorporate some plants. I PROMISE I WONT GO ANYWHERE ELSE FOR ANY INFORMATION I NEED!!! GOD SAVE THE AAP!!! LMAO  Well, welcome to the movement. Help spread the word. AAP sells 100s of these filters each year for plants (and saltwater), but not all these people are on internet forums. Some Nitrates are not a problem at all. Even for discus. |
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Feb 21, 2015 15:47:40 GMT -5
Some Nitrates are not a problem at all. Even for discus. Here is a new quote from my "Aquarium Answers Nitrate Control" article: "Studies show that the toxicity of nitrate is due to nitrite being an intermediate. Nitrites oxidize the iron atoms in hemoglobin from ferrous iron (2+) to ferric iron (3+), rendering it unable to carry oxygen. This process can lead to generalized lack of oxygen in organ tissue and a dangerous blood condition called methemoglobinemia.
What is noteworthy is that NITRITE also needs to be present, this is why current evidence does not support those in some fish keeping articles that state that anything above 20 ppm nitrate is toxic, as this these assumptions were likely based on nitrite also being present since current scientific evidence shows that nitrates by itself cannot cause these issues at levels at say 30 ppm."Reference: www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/07/aquarium-nitrates.htmlCarl |
|
anti
Full Member
Posts: 139
|
Post by anti on Feb 22, 2015 10:40:41 GMT -5
Dang!!........And I was so wanting to spend more money! lol. Be that as it may, if I decide to move forward can I forward a diagram with of what I need? After spending a considerable about of time looking at pumps on AAP, I already have what I think I need in the aap shopping cart, but I am a little confused on what kind of pump for head pressure. I think only a pic will explain why
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Feb 22, 2015 11:42:15 GMT -5
Dang!!........And I was so wanting to spend more money! lol. Be that as it may, if I decide to move forward can I forward a diagram with of what I need? After spending a considerable about of time looking at pumps on AAP, I already have what I think I need in the aap shopping cart, but I am a little confused on what kind of pump for head pressure. I think only a pic will explain why I have lost a lot of sales over the years by making statements similar to this!  A picture/diagram would be fine! This is how others learn too here at EA Carl |
|
Or please consider a donation, even just $5 helps. If even 25% of users of this information donated just $5, it would be more income than one year of sales (currently less than 1/1000 of a % donate)
Well, welcome to the movement. Help spread the word. AAP sells 100s of these filters each year for plants (and saltwater), but not all these people are on internet forums.