- Removes nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, and organics.
- High porosity biological media.
- Pore size well suited for anaerobic bacteria.
- No danger of hydrogen sulfide production as with sulfur based media.
Overview:De*Nitrate
is an economical, natural, porous material with a pore distribution and
geometry that promotes both aerobic nitrification within the first few
millimeters of depth and anaerobic denitrification at the core. The
material has a high surface area and supports a high density of
bacteria. Although De*Nitrate has capacity to trap nitrate, this, as
with other nitrate retaining materials, such as certain zeolites and
synthetic resins, is quite limited and the primary mechanism of nitrate
removal is anaerobic.
Live
rocks or reef rocks remove nitrate by anaerobic denitrification.
De*Nitrate removes nitrate by the same process. Efficiency is magnified
several folds by forcing the water to filter through the porous
De*Nitrate. As with reef rock, anaerobic conditions are achieved by the
porosity and the depletion of oxygen by the aerobic process at the
surface. Excessive flow rates should, therefore, be avoided, as they may
impede development of an adequate anaerobic environment to support
denitrifying bacteria.
De*Nitrate
is also an excellent media for aerobic nitrification and it makes an
ideal biological filter in drip trays, canister filters, sumps, or even
box filters. At high flow rates (greater than 100 US gallons per hour),
it will function solely as an aerobic filter. At slow flow rates (less
than 50 US gallons per hour), it will function as both an aerobic filter
and an anaerobic denitrifying filter.
Directions:For
best results, De*Nitrate should be placed to assure the flow of water
through it, such as in a canister filter, chemical filtration module, or
box filter. Flow rate should not exceed 200 L (50 US gallons) per hour.
If higher flow rates are unavoidable, use Matrix or Pond Matrix. It is
best to rinse off dust before use. Once De*Nitrate has been in use for
several days, nitrate concentrations should start to fall and level off
gradually at a concentration of about 4–5 mg/L as nitrate. As long as
nitrate concentrations remain under control, the product is not
exhausted. Each 500 mL of De*Nitrate treats about 100–200 L (25–50 US
gallons), depending on initial nitrate concentration and the current
biological load. Enough should be used to remove nitrate at a rate at
least as fast as the rate of formation. If very high nitrates are
initially present, they should be brought down to less than 20 mg/L with
water changes.
Size: 2 Liters