Nitrate reduction with Siproax or Brick?

Sirhc · 10/17/2018, 12:57 PM

Are there still people using siproax to help reduce nitrates or is everyone moving to one of the various bricks that are available? I want to add one but I am not sure which will be my best option. Planning on placing it the the same chamber as my drains in the sump.

mcgyvr · 10/17/2018, 08:10 PM

Yes people still use siporax

d0ughb0y · 10/17/2018, 10:28 PM

I tried siporax. didn't do squat. then I started dosing diy nopox, and that reduced and controlled the nitrates. I suppose the siporax now provides a place for bacteria to grow.

mcgyvr · 10/18/2018, 04:59 AM

Bacteria needs surface area to live.. More surface area = more potential for larger populations of bacteria..
It also needs a food/energy source..

Siporax/biomedia/bricks,etc... can be beneficial when your tank has lower than optimal amounts of rock/surface area.. Other times it may not be that helpful

Carbon dosing on the other hand feeds the bacteria and more food = more bacteria..
Carbon dosing has been shown to be quite effective at reducing nitrates (and phosphates)..

Carbon dosing can be as simple as dumping a small amount of vinegar into the tank on a daily basis..
I would suggest trying carbon dosing and see how it works for you..
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....arine-aquarium

JWClark · 10/18/2018, 06:45 AM

Also, if you do want to use the bricks or siporax for nitrate reduction, then placing in the chamber where the tank drains to the sump is not good. Flow will be too high. For nitrate reduction the media needs to develop a near-anaerobic section forcing the bacteria to utilize the nitrates for oxygen. With high flow, this zone will not develop--or will not be as large.

Much better to place in a lower flow area of the sump. I use marine pure 4x8 bricks in the lowest flow area of my sump. Works for me.

10/17/2018, 12:57 PM	#1
Sirhc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 179	Nitrate reduction with Siproax or Brick? Are there still people using siproax to help reduce nitrates or is everyone moving to one of the various bricks that are available? I want to add one but I am not sure which will be my best option. Planning on placing it the the same chamber as my drains in the sump.

10/17/2018, 08:10 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yes people still use siporax __________________ Who me?

10/18/2018, 04:59 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Bacteria needs surface area to live.. More surface area = more potential for larger populations of bacteria.. It also needs a food/energy source.. Siporax/biomedia/bricks,etc... can be beneficial when your tank has lower than optimal amounts of rock/surface area.. Other times it may not be that helpful Carbon dosing on the other hand feeds the bacteria and more food = more bacteria.. Carbon dosing has been shown to be quite effective at reducing nitrates (and phosphates).. Carbon dosing can be as simple as dumping a small amount of vinegar into the tank on a daily basis.. I would suggest trying carbon dosing and see how it works for you.. http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....arine-aquarium __________________ Who me?

10/18/2018, 06:45 AM	#5
JWClark Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: MD Posts: 576	Also, if you do want to use the bricks or siporax for nitrate reduction, then placing in the chamber where the tank drains to the sump is not good. Flow will be too high. For nitrate reduction the media needs to develop a near-anaerobic section forcing the bacteria to utilize the nitrates for oxygen. With high flow, this zone will not develop--or will not be as large. Much better to place in a lower flow area of the sump. I use marine pure 4x8 bricks in the lowest flow area of my sump. Works for me. __________________ Back after a 13yr hiatus--much to my wife's dismay. Though she sure loves looking at the tank and feeding the fish! Current Tank Info: Reefer 450 seed tank for the retirement 315gal Reef Savvy build.

10/17/2018, 10:28 PM	#3
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	I tried siporax. didn't do squat. then I started dosing diy nopox, and that reduced and controlled the nitrates. I suppose the siporax now provides a place for bacteria to grow.