How does it work? Unlike indiscriminate and
potentially risky carbon dosing regimens such as Vodka which entail
adding carbon sources directly to the main aquarium to promote bacterial
spread and nutrient uptake, Nutri-Fix NP is a 100% pure, fixed carbon
source bio-polymer that can be used in a fluidised reactor for the
promotion of rapid bacterial growth within a controlled environment away
from the main display, promoting only those bacteria relevant to the
task of nutrient uptake. The Bio-Polymer acts as a primary food source
to encourage healthy bacterial colonisation which in turn assimilates or
fixes Nitrate and Phosphate as that population grows. With these
nutrients locked into the biomass of the bacterial population, this bio
film or ‘bacterial mulm’ can then be exported via physical agitation of
the media within a reactor to make way for further growth. The effluent
carrying these bacterial films can then be directed towards the intake
of a protein skimmer for physical removal via foam fractionation.
Ongoing exportation of excess nitrate and phosphate are a direct result
of this reaction.By passing aquarium water through a fluidised reactor
housing the bio-media, a fresh constant stream of both nutrient and
oxygen can be supplied. Unlike alternate methods that encourage
de-nitrification through anaerobic activity in a slow flow environment
as a primary route to converting nitrate to free nitrogen gas, Nutri-Fix
NP works in an oxygen rich environment by locking nitrate and phosphate
into the rapidly growing bacterial biomass. Further nitrate reduction
can also be witnessed as a result of underlying bacterial layers being
starved of oxygen by several overlying populations. The removal of these
layers via agitation to make way for further rapid colonisation is a
crucial part of the process to prevent binding of the media via
bacterial mucus secretion.
Do I need to do anything to the media before I use it? A
quick rinse in RO water or old tank water prior to use is recommended
to wash off any fines that have developed in shipping, but no other
action is required.
How Much Flow Is Required? The flow rate required
will be relative to both the amount of media used and the dimensions of
the reactor it is housed in. Typically in a reactor of 100mm diameter
using 1ltr of media, an input flow rate of at least 1500lph will be
required to achieve effective agitation of the media. (See video link
for visual reference)
How Much Media is required? As with switching or
adding any biological media to an existing aquarium, it is far better to
start slowly and build up over time. Under normal operating conditions
an average ratio of between 100 -200ml per 100lts of system volume is
recommended. On first application it is recommended to start with
approximately half the recommended amount and build up over several
months to the required level. On new systems the full recommended dose
may be used from the start to help limit future accumulations of
dissolved nutrients.
Is it possible to use too much media? No. Because
the bacterial growth rate is limited by the availability of free nitrate
and phosphate regardless of the carbon source being available, the
efficiency of the media will fluctuate in tandem with these levels,
allowing more colonisation as nutrient levels rise, and falling back as
levels decrease creating a more stable environment within the aquarium.
As previously stated however, it is recommended that a 50% dose is used
when starting out on an existing aquarium to limit any excessive or
rapid decreases in nutrient availability which could stress some more
delicate organisms.
How often do I need to replace the media? Because
the media is consumed via bacterial action, its lifespan will vary
according to the nutrient availability. In cases of low nitrate and
phosphate availability, reduction of the media may be very slow compared
to aquaria that have high levels encouraging more rapid bacterial
growth. Under healthy conditions the media should only need topping up
every few months.
Is it essential to run the reactor effluent to skimmer? Ideally
yes. Without the physical removal of the bacterial mulm, there is no
pathway to remove fixed nitrate and phosphate from the aquarium. This
will usually entail putting the reactor in line between the skimmer feed
pump and skimmer itself. In cases where the skimmer feed pump exceeds
the required flow rate through the reactor, it can be plumbed in via a
bypass line which can be adjusted via an inline tap. (See Image below).
In cases where a sump based skimmer is used, the reactor should be run
from its own feed pump with the outlet directed towards the skimmer
intake.
Will it hurt my corals if the bacterial mulm makes its way into the tank? No.
Any small amount that makes its way into the main display will simply
act as a food source for any corals present. The bulk of the bacterial
mulm should however be removed as a means of exporting bound nutrients.
My skimmer has stopped producing foam...Why? In some
situations when the media is first used, skimmate production may be
adversely affected for 24-48hrs due to mild disruption to the surface
tension of water passing through the skimmer. During this time the
skimmer should be left to settle without any further adjustment to
compensate. An adjusted skimmer may start to overflow once the surface
tension has returned to normal and foam production resumes.
Will I still need to use Activated Carbon? Yes.
Bacterial filtration will not remove many of the adverse compounds and
accumulations that good quality carbon can absorb, such as metals,
organic dyes, or toxic chemicals released from corals as a means of
chemical warfare. The use of a good quality carbon like RowaCarbon is
still highly recommended although water clarity may improve with the use
of Nutri-Fix NP due to the flocculent properties of the bacterial
mulm.
Will I still need to use phosphate removing media? In
most cases yes. Phosphate found in foods is usually at far higher
levels than nitrate. And whilst Nutri-Fix will reduce both Nitrate and
phosphate in tandem, the process is a balanced one. Therefore excess
phosphate will still need to be removed via the use of effective
phosphate removers such as Rowaphos, although the need to replenish this
media will usually be reduced saving money in the process.
Will it reduce the need for water changes? No. Even
with low levels of Nitrate and Phosphate, water changes still offer one
of the best ways to balance the replenishment of minor essential trace
elements, whilst diluting adverse accumulations.
Is the flow rate through the reactor crucial? Yes.
It should be remembered that Nutri-Fix NP is not an anaerobic filter
media like Sulphur beads. Nutri-Fix NP works best under strong flow and
aerobic conditions which will speed up the growth rate of bacterial
populations and consequently the uptake of nitrate and Phosphate. The
agitation and subsequent friction are also essential to free up fresh
surface area on the media to encourage further bacterial growth. If not
enough agitation is supplied, bacterial populations will overgrow and
clog up the media, effectively cutting off the carbon supply from any
further overlying bacterial growth.
How long will it take to see results? Bacterial
colonisation can take up to 4 weeks to establish itself fully to the
degree that bacterial populations are high enough to effect free
nutrient levels.
My nitrate level was falling rapidly after the first 4 weeks but has now slowed down? This
is a natural process. When free nutrient levels are high, rapid
colonisation and growth of the bacterial populations is achievable,
causing a fast initial decrease in available nutrient. As levels fall,
the remaining bacterial populations have to work harder to obtain the
remaining lower concentration of nutrients, as the level falls, so does
the bacterial growth rate until such time as the nutrient availability
reaches naturally low levels. At this point the remaining bacterial
populations will be waiting to take advantage of any increase in
nutrients, at which point their growth rate will increase in tandem to
take advantage, offering a more balanced and rapid response to shifts in
those levels.
I’ve been running the Nutri-Fix for several weeks now and my Nitrate isn’t falling ? If
phosphate levels are very low to start with (clear on high sensitivity
kits such as the D-D phosphate kit) then these low levels may be
limiting the bacterial colonisation preventing further nitrate
reduction. In such cases it is recommended to try one of two things.
1:Take any phosphate removing medias offline for a short period to allow
a small rise in background levels. This will help kick start the
bacterial colonisation process. Once phosphate and nitrate have fallen
back to low levels, the phosphate media should be put back online to
take up excess phosphate addition above that which can be taken up by
the bacteria. 2: Alternately, pursue a course of regular water changes
to reduce the excess nitrate via dilution until levels are acceptable,
at this point the bacterial colony should be able to take over and
maintain a stable low level.
Will I be able to increase feeding of my aquarium? Yes,
one of the further benefits is that you can increase feeding of both
your fish and corals if the NutriFix pellets are used in conjunction
with a good phosphate remover like Rowaphos as together they will
control the release of both Nitrate and phosphate into your aquarium so
that you do not promote nuisance algae. Another product which allows you
to
“Feed Your Fish and Not Your Algae”. Important Information: Corals
in the wild are adapted to live in conditions that have very low levels
of dissolved nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate. These two
nutrient sources are however essential for coral health at trace levels
so we don’t want to remove them completely which would cause stress and
possible bleaching due to starvation of the hosted symbiotic algae.
There is however a large amount of locked nutrient available in the form
of plankton in the wild which fulfils a major part of the corals
nutritional needs via active capture.NutriFix NP allows the aquarist the
opportunity to lower and maintain free nutrients at more natural levels
without the risks of complete reduction, whilst also allowing a gradual
increase in the feeding of dedicated coral foods to enable a more
naturally balanced uptake of energy which can result in better health,
growth and colouration. In cases where nutrient levels have fallen to
more natural levels, the introduction and use of various dedicated coral
foods is strongly encouraged to ensure that they receive enough energy
to thrive