What method for reducing nitrates/phosphates do you use?

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

As I've written in another thread, I've been using Hydroton in several large media reactors to greatly reduce my nutrients. I've never had low nitrates due to my habit of heavily feeding my fish (4-6 times daily) but now, with media reactors full of Hydroton, my nitrates are very low, (around 2 ppm last time it was tested with a Hanna tester by Monocus) and my corals have been extremely happy. I have had several other local reefers try out hydroton with very good results. My nitrate tests always used to show in the Fuscia range but now even my new SPS corals are colouring up within days of being added to my tank, which is a mixed blessing cause now I'm starting to collect a few more SPS

However, this new use of these clay balls developed for Aquaponics was originally tested and proven by Paul, from Oceanic Corals, who convinced me and a few other local reefers to give it a try. To be honest, a gallon or two of Hydroton is more effective at eliminating nitrogenous wastes than a hundred pounds of live rock. I leave my live rock in my tank so my corals have a place to grow and my fish have places to swim/hide. I depend on the hydroton to do my biological filtration.

Anthony

[Animal-Chin]

So you take the clay balls and put them in media reactors? Do they need to tumble? Do you have to clean them or replace them? Tell me more...

Can I just add a pile to my sump?

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Animal-Chin

So you take the clay balls and put them in media reactors? Do they need to tumble? Do you have to clean them or replace them? Tell me more...

Can I just add a pile to my sump?

Don't need to tumble. Just rinse, place into media reactor or even an old stocking (get these from my mom). As long as water is passed through the clay balls, it will work. I imagine even adding it into my overflow box would be reasonably effective. They are very strong (from Germany) and since they don't have to tumble, they will last for years. They don't control phosphates, but the Ammonia and Nitrite consuming bacteria probably live on the surface and the Nitrate consuming anaerobic bacteria live in the porous center. I honestly never expected it to have any effect on my nitrates so I didn't believe Bill (Monocus) when he first told me my nitrates were only at 2 ppm and I made him retest it on his Hanna tester.

Mine are sitting in Vertex, BRS and TLF media reactors.

I have 2 big bags for my spring Aquaponics project (going to drill a big cube tank, pump water from my koi pond up into it and have it flow through the hydroton to feed my veggies like Romaine, Kale, and watercress) so if you want to try some, I can sell some to you for $10/gallon. Personally, I add hydroton at a rate of 1 gallon or so per 100 gallon of tank volume. I think Paul was using a 5 gallon bucket to handle a 300g FOWLR (and NO LIVE ROCK!!!). When I saw that, this is what convinced me to try hydroton because if Paul is willing risk $1500 Gem Tangs using it, then I had to try it for myself.

Considering how expensive almost everything is in this addiction, investing in some of this media from Paul was a drop in the bucket but probably one of the best $10 I have spent on reefing.

If you want more info, contact me or come on over.

Anthony