NP Reduction Bio Media from SWC
It seems that the nitrate and phosphate reducing media are really gaining traction in the hobby. For years, reef keepers had to rely solely on their live rock and sand bed to house all of their nitrifying bacteria populations and excess nutrients to feed these populations. Now, they’ve got a little boost in the form of a slowly degrading media. The NP Reduction Bio Pellets from Saltwater Connection (aka SWC), a popular protein skimmer manufacturer, will help hobbyists battle excess nutrients. The pelletized carbon source will feed bacterial populations in your tank, allowing for them to grow, thus allowing your aquarium the ability to better handle excess nitrates and phosphates.
To begin using the pellets, it is recommended that you soak them in RO/DI water before adding them to your system. After this is complete, add 50% of the recommended amount to a media reactor, making sure to keep plenty of flow going through the reactor. If the flow is insufficient, a dangerous amount of hydrogen sulfide, a substance that also builds up in anoxic areas of deep sand beds, can be slowly released into your aquarium’s water. After approximately a week use, you can add the remaining amount of the media.
An additional warning for NP Bio Media usage: be sure to use a quality protein skimmer. Not only will this help keep nutrients low, but the primary concern is oxygenation. Bacteria consume oxygen, and when their populations climb rapidly, they can use up too much of the oxygen in the system. This can cause fish and corals to die. To prevent any issues, adhere to dosing issues strictly and your system should adapt to the increase
Here’s a little more information from Saltwater Connection
SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media is the most effective filtration used for the control of nitrates and phosphates within the aquarium ecosystem, while also providing a continuous bacterial food source for the health and well being of the aquarium ecosystem. SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media is best utilized with SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Reactors. These reactors are designed with SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media in mind. Media should be kept fluidized for optimum results. The SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media cannot be overdosed. However if your aquarium ecosystem is high in nutrients, you may experience a brief bacterial bloom. This will give your aquarium water a white cloudy appearance. If this occurs monitor and maintain an appropriate pH level. For optimum results utilize the following amount of SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media 250ml per 50 gallons/500ml per 100 gallons/1000ml per 200 gallons. Dosage may be increased depending on your unique bio load requirements. The first step to enhancing a healthy aquarium ecosystem begins with pre soaking the SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media in Reverse osmosis water for 24 hours. Then introduce 50% of the recommended dosage of the SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media into a SWC NP Reduction Reactor and introducing the remaining 50% of the recommended dosage to the SWC NP Reduction Reactor after a 1 week period. Make sure you are utilizing a powerful protein skimmer to prevent oxygen depletion. The use of the appropriately sized model of SWC Xtreme Protein Skimmer will help improve your ability to maintain optimal oxygen levels. Direct the output of the SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Reactor towards the input of the SWC Xtreme Protein Skimmer. SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media may need to be replenished as the bio media are consumed by the NP Reduction process. This will need to be addressed at approximately the 8-12 month period of time, depending on your unique bio load.
IMPORTANT: Maintain a high enough water flow through the SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Reactor to maintain a fluidized column. Too slow of a flow and you may produce a toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. This is detrimental to your aquarium ecosystem. Using a UV Sterilizer or Ozone Generator will slow the growth of bacteria in the reactor and increase the cycling time of the SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media. SWC Xtreme NP Reduction Bio Media is ecologically friendly and is totally bio degradable. Does not contain harmful PCL resins.
