Kent Nirate sponge. How well do it work?

datman422 · 05/06/2005, 06:59 PM

I currently have excessive nutrients in my tank and I am currently fight hair algae. My nitrate is at ,25ppm. I was considering using Kent Nitrate sponge. Just wondering if anyone else has used these product and has any good or bad things to say. thx.

Nuhtty · 05/06/2005, 07:37 PM

Havent heard anything about it, but I would also suggest a phosphate binder to combat HA

Randy Holmes-Farley · 05/07/2005, 07:27 AM

I would worry about aluminum release from the Kent sponge, despite claims otherwise. I'd use an iron based binder if you want to go that route, and start slowly with it. Overall, I prefer skimming and macroalgae to reduce nutrients.

datman422 · 05/07/2005, 11:30 AM

Thx Randy, As always, advise are always taking into consideration.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 05/07/2005, 02:29 PM

good luck.

Mikro · 02/14/2006, 10:09 PM

Randy

What exactly would the aluminum based (Kent) sponge do? Will it kill coral or fish or what?
What is an example if an iron based sponge?

JimR · 02/14/2006, 10:46 PM

How about SeaChem's Matrix? It's not made of any material that will hurt a reef.

melev · 02/15/2006, 02:21 AM

I have no idea what Kent Nitrate Sponge is made of, but I can tell you that it brought my 55g tank's nitrate level down in 48 hours. Remove it at that point from the canister filter.

Now Kent's Phosphate Sponge is aluminum-based, and it affects leather corals badly.

You do need to determine what is causing the nitrates in your tank in the first place. Once you eliminate the sources, you can keep them down far more easily.

Jon Evans · 02/15/2006, 05:50 AM

avoid the gimmicks and use macroalgae. I have a fuge and after my tank cycled, I have no algae. I don't even use any mechanical filtration to keep garbage out of my sump.

jamal-188 · 02/15/2006, 06:53 AM

Another vote for heavy skimming and macro!

aquaman67 · 03/03/2006, 04:35 PM

Is there a list of iron and aluminum based products?

dirtyreefer · 03/03/2006, 04:47 PM

I wasn't aware that there were iron-based nitrate removers out there, only phosphate ones like Rowa and Phosban.

05/06/2005, 06:59 PM	#1
datman422 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bay Area California Posts: 1,120	Kent Nirate sponge. How well do it work? I currently have excessive nutrients in my tank and I am currently fight hair algae. My nitrate is at ,25ppm. I was considering using Kent Nitrate sponge. Just wondering if anyone else has used these product and has any good or bad things to say. thx. __________________ "Why do we kill to teach that killing is wrong? " unknown author. Current Tank Info: as off Jan, 2005 upgraded from 50 to 150gal. 300lbs LR. 2" LS. Mixed Reef. Berlin skimmer. Dual 400W PFO MH.

05/07/2005, 07:27 AM	#3
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I would worry about aluminum release from the Kent sponge, despite claims otherwise. I'd use an iron based binder if you want to go that route, and start slowly with it. Overall, I prefer skimming and macroalgae to reduce nutrients. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

05/07/2005, 11:30 AM	#4
datman422 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bay Area California Posts: 1,120	Thx Randy, As always, advise are always taking into consideration. __________________ "Why do we kill to teach that killing is wrong? " unknown author. Current Tank Info: as off Jan, 2005 upgraded from 50 to 150gal. 300lbs LR. 2" LS. Mixed Reef. Berlin skimmer. Dual 400W PFO MH.

05/07/2005, 02:29 PM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	good luck. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/14/2006, 10:09 PM	#6
Mikro Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Omaha,NE U.S.A. Posts: 1,093	Randy What exactly would the aluminum based (Kent) sponge do? Will it kill coral or fish or what? What is an example if an iron based sponge? __________________ Mikro Current Tank Info: On 12/18/04 Started 75gal. reef tank

05/06/2005, 07:37 PM	#2
Nuhtty Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 7,022	Havent heard anything about it, but I would also suggest a phosphate binder to combat HA

02/14/2006, 10:46 PM	#7
JimR Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 247	How about SeaChem's Matrix? It's not made of any material that will hurt a reef.

02/15/2006, 02:21 AM	#8
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	I have no idea what Kent Nitrate Sponge is made of, but I can tell you that it brought my 55g tank's nitrate level down in 48 hours. Remove it at that point from the canister filter. Now Kent's Phosphate Sponge is aluminum-based, and it affects leather corals badly. You do need to determine what is causing the nitrates in your tank in the first place. Once you eliminate the sources, you can keep them down far more easily.

02/15/2006, 05:50 AM	#9
Jon Evans Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Massillon, OH Posts: 297	avoid the gimmicks and use macroalgae. I have a fuge and after my tank cycled, I have no algae. I don't even use any mechanical filtration to keep garbage out of my sump. __________________ If you are in the stock market, look to diversify your portfolio with global equities. Warren Buffett said so. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon FOWLR tank with 20 gal sump/fuge

02/15/2006, 06:53 AM	#10
jamal-188 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,480	Another vote for heavy skimming and macro!

03/03/2006, 04:35 PM	#11
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	Is there a list of iron and aluminum based products?

03/03/2006, 04:47 PM	#12
dirtyreefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 2,221	I wasn't aware that there were iron-based nitrate removers out there, only phosphate ones like Rowa and Phosban.