D&D Nutri Fix Pellets

D-D Nutri Fix Pellets

Nutri-Fix NP is a bio media and bacterial food source adapted specifically for the reduction of Nitrate and Phosphate in aquaria.

How does it work?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.