Best Seachem Product to remove Nitrate

[Ralph]

Notice that Seachem has a variety of products.

Purigen
Matrix
De-nitrate

It seems that all 3 of these products work on ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

For cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should not be a issue but nitrate will ultimately build up. So I am looking for one media to better control the nitrate from my tank and increase its survivability in case of longer travels when I cannot do the weekly water change.

Or does any one of you have good experience with any nitrate-removing media to recommend? Thks!

[Urban Aquaria]

I currently use all 3 types of media in my various tanks, so can give some insight into which setups they are suitable for.

Purigen is a good alternative to carbon as it only specifically adsorbs excess organic compounds that produce ammonia (which eventually get processed to nitrates). The benefit is it can be used in planted tanks that dose fertilizers without having an impact on the dosed nutrients. Purigen also soaks up tannins too, so its good for making the water crystal clear. It has a limited adsorption lifespan though, so will need to be recharged regularly.

Purigen is good for tanks which have higher bio-loads as it provides additional chemical filtration to adsorb and reduce waste levels.

Matrix and De-nitrate are actually similar products (most people will notice the media look the same but are different size), both are designed to create anaerobic conditions in parts of the media to support denitrifying bacteria... just that De-nitrate is designed to support more of the denitrifying bacteria/process (which converts nitrates into nitrogen gas and release it to the atmosphere), whereas Matrix is designed to support more aerobic bacteria (which convert ammonia to nitrite to nitrates).

De-nitrate requires much lower flow rates to work (ie. less than 200 l/ph), so it is more suitable for very slow flow rate filters, whereas Matrix works better in higher flow rate filters.

Therefore in my perspective, the choice between Matrix and De-nitrate would depend on your tank setup:

If its a tank with lots of fishes, but few (or no) plants and you find the nitrate levels always rising, then using De-nitrate in a slow flow rate filter can help to reduce the nitrate levels (or at least slow down the accumulation of nitrates).

On the otherhand, if your tank has alot of plants with ample filter flow rate and circulation, then it would be better to use Matrix because it specializes in processing organic compounds/waste into nitrates which supply the plants with nutrients (rather than removing the nitrates that plants consume to grow).

[Ralph]

UA, Thanks for sharing once again!

It seems like the balance is determined by the set-up and consideration of plants.

After your explaination, I think I see things more clearly now.

Considering a cycled tank that is already converting ammonia to nitrite and to nitrate effectively, there is probably duplication of job scope in introducing Matrix at this stage. Matrix however, can replace the existing bio-media or increase the nitrifying capacity of the current bio-media.

On other hand, if concern is not to want the nitrate to stay in the system, or to significantly reduce it, de-nitrate will be a good addition to the existing bio-medias.

I currently use all 3 types of media in my various tanks, so can give some insight into which setups they are suitable for.

Purigen is a good alternative to carbon as it only specifically adsorbs excess organic compounds that produce ammonia (which eventually get processed to nitrates). The benefit is it can be used in planted tanks that dose fertilizers without having an impact on the dosed nutrients. Purigen also soaks up tannins too, so its good for making the water crystal clear. It has a limited adsorption lifespan though, so will need to be recharged regularly.

Purigen is good for tanks which have higher bio-loads as it provides additional chemical filtration to adsorb and reduce waste levels.

Matrix and De-nitrate are actually similar products (most people will notice the media look the same but are different size), both are designed to create anaerobic conditions in parts of the media to support denitrifying bacteria... just that De-nitrate is designed to support more of the denitrifying bacteria/process (which converts nitrates into nitrogen gas and release it to the atmosphere), whereas Matrix is designed to support more aerobic bacteria (which convert ammonia to nitrite to nitrates).

De-nitrate requires much lower flow rates to work (ie. less than 200 l/ph), so it is more suitable for very slow flow rate filters, whereas Matrix works better in higher flow rate filters.

Therefore in my perspective, the choice between Matrix and De-nitrate would depend on your tank setup:

If its a tank with lots of fishes, but few (or no) plants and you find the nitrate levels always rising, then using De-nitrate in a slow flow rate filter can help to reduce the nitrate levels (or at least slow down the accumulation of nitrates).

On the otherhand, if your tank has alot of plants with ample filter flow rate and circulation, then it would be better to use Matrix because it specializes in processing organic compounds/waste into nitrates which supply the plants with nutrients (rather than removing the nitrates that plants consume to grow).

[janboyz]

Hi UA,

Can you advise on the setup of this within the canister filter. Where does the Purigen & Matrix sit, the mid levels?

J

[Dscheng]

Hmm, previously I on matrix and purigen setup. Water is crystal clear and constantly low nitrates. Until recently I overstock the livestock, fishes and shrimp. Suddenly my water become cloudy. I doing weekly WC, clean the canister, add new white and black ehiem sponge. Also no use. Until I tried ANS carbon clearmax, it is a big packet of carbon stuff. Almost same as purigen, but bigger pack. I put into the outflow of my canister. Within 24 hr, my water super crystal clear !

[Dscheng]

For me, I put the first level which is the outlet sponge area. I referring to ehiem canister.

[janboyz]

Thanks DS
I am new to canisters so don't mind my silly questions. Assuming most canisters are bottom to top flow. So That's the topmost layer


Jan

[Urban Aquaria]

Hi UA,

Can you advise on the setup of this within the canister filter. Where does the Purigen & Matrix sit, the mid levels?

J

Based on flow direction:

Coarse sponge -> Matrix -> Fine white filter wool -> Purigen

Purigen is placed as the final layer as it is a chemical filtration (not mechanical), and it is designed to adsorb dissolved organic compounds, so the water flowing through it should be free of debris and particles.

Make sure there is enough space for the Purigen pack so that the granules can move around freely, so that all of them can get in contact with the water for maximum effect.

[janboyz]

Got it, thanks UA


Jan

[ronald_t80]

Hi UA,

So from what i read.....if im dosing medications for fishes or algae removal meds for the tank, its advisable to remove Purigen from the filter?

BTW have you use PhosGuard before?.....the staff in Seaview said it can help control algae booms

Thanks
Ron

[Urban Aquaria]

Hi UA,

So from what i read.....if im dosing medications for fishes or algae removal meds for the tank, its advisable to remove Purigen from the filter?

Although Purigen is designed to adsorb dissolved organic compounds, there is a possibility it could also remove some of the components in certain medications and render their treatment less effective, so its usually better to just remove Purigen temporarily during the treatment period.

BTW have you use PhosGuard before?.....the staff in Seaview said it can help control algae booms

I've not used PhosGuard before but such adsorbing resins seem to be more frequently used for saltwater reef systems, since they tend to be constantly finding ways to control nitrates and phosphates.

In planted tanks, phosphates usually tend to be in short supply, especially if the plant density is high... so we usually dose additional phosphates as nutrient supplements instead.

I guess if you feed your fishes and shrimps foods with very high phosphate content, or keep a super high bio-load and feed them alot, and your plant density is very low (or none at all), and if phosphate levels keep climbing and only algae grows in the tank, then i guess a combination of more frequent water changes and perhaps the use of PhosGuard could help to control it.

[ronald_t80]

Thank you UA!!