Neptune X3 Denitrator
For aquariums up to 300 gallons
Includes
* Denitrification media pack
* Bio-plastic carbon food source
* Pump
* Opening Wrench Tool
* 4ft Tubing (inlet/out)
Neptune X3-DeNitrator is designed to remove nitrates from the aquarium using a natural anaerobic denitrification process. The three canister system provides the volume to house enough active anaerobic bacteria to safely and efficiently remove nitrates for aquariums up to 300 gallons. This unit can be used as a highly efficient nitrate removal filtration system in both Freshwater (including Planted Aquariums) as well as Saltwater Aquariums (including Reef Systems).
Nitrates in the aquarium can be controlled by frequent water changes, along with limiting the biological load and excessive feedings. A well vented wet/dry filtration system will detoxify ammonia and nitrite before breaking down into nitrate. Utilizing chemical filtration and protein skimming will also limit nitrate levels. Saltwater systems that have more than 0.5lb of live rock per gallon and utilize bio-media such as bio-balls, should remove the bio-media to limit the production of bacterial overpopulation that produces nitrates.
The X3-DeNitrator comes complete with a pump that ensures proper flow rate through all three canisters for optimum growth of anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic conditions are achieved by the porosity of the media and the depletion of oxygen by the aerobic process at the surface. Unlike other DeNitrification systems, the X3-DeNitrator contains a specially designed long term food source for the anaerobes. In the low presence of oxygen, these anaerobic bacteria metabolize the highly porous material and are supplied with a constant food source retaining their high density volumes within the canister. This process enables the X-3 DeNitrator to safely and effectively accelerate the reduction of nitrates into nitrogen gas without adverse effects.
There are no feedings necessary for this media. A specially designed biological plastic food source is included within the media. At low flow rates, this carbonate food source provides food to the anaerobic bacteria for a period of approximately 12 months. It is recommended that the media be replaced every (8-12 months) depending on nitrate concentrations at that time frame. If the nitrates remain low, the media can still be used.
Certain DeNitrators utilize dangerous methanol feedings to boost the levels of anaerobic bacteria. This can have an adverse effect by increasing the levels of harmful aerobic type bacteria and ammonia introduction leading to harmful pathogenic effects (Coral Bleaching, Cyanobacteria) as well as increase levels of phosphates and sulfates as a byproduct.
The X-3 DeNitrator uses a natural and safe method for denitrification.
The X-3 DeNitrator will safely maintain LOW to NO Nitrate levels for many months before media exhaustion.
Replace with X-3 Denitrification media pack after nitrate levels begin fluctuating to higher than normal again.
Once the canisters reach an anaerobic state, nitrates should begin declining gradually at a concentration of about 5–10 ppm (mg/L) after about a week. As long as nitrate concentrations remain under control, the product media is not exhausted. Systems with high nitrate concentration in excess of 80ppm tend to have similar properties in which the rate of nitrate formation is greater than the systems natural denitrification ability. These systems are in essence "out of control" as the organic waste byproducts are being formed at a greater rate than the filtration can remove them. The X-3 DeNitrator will maintain LOW to NO nitrate concentrations on a volume of up to 300 gallons depending on the initial nitrate concentration and the current biological load of your system. If initial nitrate concentrations are in excess of 80ppm, it is recommended to do water exchanges (50% water change) to lower the nitrates prior to installing the DeNitrator. Nitrates should be brought down to less than 20 mg/L with water changes. If the DeNitrator is installed with nitrate concentrations over 80ppm, it will take much longer to achieve a gradual nitrate reduction in the system.
The X-3 DeNitrator comes with 4ft of both incoming (white line) and return (blue line) tubing.
Dimensions: 15.5" length x 12" tall (to top surface of mounting plate / plate extends another 2" higher)
Placement: The X-3 DeNitrator is designed to be placed nearby a sump, under the cabinet. The included pump is to be placed in the sump. Please ensure that pump placement is free of surrounding sediment nearby. The pump feeds the X-3 denitrator which is located external to the sump. The return line (blue line) is directed back into the sump. The included mounting hardware can be used to secure the denitrator inside a cabinet. Otherwise, the canisters may rest on the floor next to the sump.
Without a sump: For those systems that do not have a sump (wet/dry filter, refugium, etc), the pump will have to be set inside the aquarium and the X-3 denitrator will have to be mounted next to or above the aquarium, at a near horizontal level to the pump. You cannot set the X-3 canisters on the floor and have the blue return line run back to the top of the tank because the pump flow rate will not be sufficient enough. Using a stronger pump will create turbulent flow within the canisters not allowing the unit to work properly. If you do not have a sump, you must figure out a way to mount the DeNitrator next to or above the aquarium and at near horizontal level to the pump (which is placed in the aquarium).
Tubing: The X-3 DeNitrator comes with two 4ft sections of tubing. The white (feed) line is connected to the pump and has a control valve placed on the other end near the DeNitrator. This line is to be connected to the "IN" port of the DeNitrator. The blue line is your "OUT" line and is to be directed back into the sump or aquarium. Keep the end of the blue line visible slightly above the water line to visualize the flow rate. Both lines of tubing may be cut or trimmed down accordingly to create a custom fit within your system. Please ensure the control valve is near the "IN" port of the unit on the white line when / if trimming the tubing.
