|  Pond
Matrix™ FAQ
Q:
I’m using Pond Matrix™, but my nitrates
are not coming down, it’s been at the same level for
awhile now, what’s wrong?
A: Nothing’s wrong. The product is working just as it
should. The removal of nitrates essentially comes down to
one parameter: rate. The rate at which your tank is producing
nitrates and the rate at which it can remove them. If you
fill a bathtub with the spigot wide open and try to keep it
from overflowing by draining it out of a straw, it won’t
be long until it overflows. However, if you drain it at the
same rate it fills, the level will always stay the same. Or,
if it nearly fills up and then you drain it at a rate faster
than it is filling, the level will drop. The same applies
to nitrate removal. To lower nitrates you must equip your
tank with the capacity to remove them at a rate greater than
or equal to the rate of formation. So, if your nitrates are
holding steady and you want them to come down, increase the
amount of Matrix™you are using or use de*Nitrate™in
addition to the Matrix™(de*Nitrate™will
more efficiently remove nitrates per volume of product assuming
a flow rate of not more than ~50 gallons/hour). If you need
to use a higher flow rate, than stick with Matrix™or
try Pond Matrix™, both of which support anaerobic
denitrification at higher flow rates.
Q:How
long does it take for Pond Matrix to grow the necessary anaerobic
bacteria to remove nitrate?
A: This all depends on the stage of biological establishment
of your tank, placement of Matrix and flow rate. Generally
you will start to see improvement in a couple of weeks but
every situation varies.
Q:
Will using Pond Matrix affect the pH of the water?
A: No, It is an inert media that will not directly impact
your pH.
Q:
Is it theoretically possible to achieve near-zero nitrate
levels using Pond Matrix?
A: If you have a fish load it would be extremely difficult
to bring down your nitrates to zero (fish foods, waste, being
introduced on a daily basis). However, it will help maintain
your nitrates at lower levels.
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