Seachem De Nitrate

What is Seachem De Nitrate?

De Nitrate is an economical, natural, porous material with a pore distribution and geometry that promotes both aerobic nitrification within the first few millimetres of depth and anaerobic denitrification at the core. The material has a high surface area and supports a high density of beneficial bacteria.

How does Seachem De Nitrate work?

“Live” rocks or reef rocks remove nitrate by anaerobic denitrification. De Nitrate removes nitrate by the same process. Efficiency is magnified several folds by forcing the water to filter through the porous De Nitrate.

As with reef rock, anaerobic conditions are achieved by the porosity and the depletion of oxygen by the aerobic process at the surface. Excessive flow rates should therefore be avoided, as they may impede development of an adequate anaerobic environment to support denitrifying bacteria.

De Nitrate is also an excellent media for aerobic nitrification and it makes an ideal biological filter in drip trays, canister filters, sumps, or even box filters. At high flow rates (greater than 100 US gallons per hour), it will function solely as an aerobic filter. At slow flow rates (less than 50 US gallons per hour), it will function as both an aerobic filter and an anaerobic denitrifying filter.

How do I use Seachem De Nitrate?

For best results, De Nitrate should be placed to assure the flow of water through it, such as in a canister filter, chemical filtration module, or box filter. Flow rate should not exceed 200 L (50 US gallons) per hour. It is best to rinse off dust before use.

Once De Nitrate has been in use for several days, nitrate concentrations should start to fall and level off gradually at a concentration of about 4–5 mg/L as nitrate. As long as nitrate concentrations remain under control, the product is not exhausted.

Each 500 mL of De Nitrate treats about 100–200 L (25–50 US gallons), depending on initial nitrate concentration and the current biological load. Enough should be used to remove nitrate at a rate at least as fast as the rate of formation. If very high nitrates are initially present, they should be brought down to less than 20 mg/L with water changes.