Marinepure bio blocks

ibrat82 · 01/12/2016, 03:18 PM

Should I add them now to my system while its cycling or after. Does it really matter?

kfisc · 01/12/2016, 03:24 PM

Honestly, they appear to be some sort of a pricey live rock substitute. If you have it, I'd stick with live rock, skip the "bio blocks," and just let your tank cycle naturally over the next few weeks. You'll then have a biological filter well-established and can skip the expense of those things.

Sk8r · 01/12/2016, 04:46 PM

^This. If you bought them, return them for store credit.

rsain · 01/12/2016, 04:59 PM

^^ agree with both.

- ryan

droog · 01/12/2016, 10:26 PM

There are a lot of snake oil products in this hobby but I don't think MarinePure falls into this category, especially their (blocks and plates).

MarinePure add a lot of surface area for bacteria same as LR. I think LR is better if you have the space in DT and/or sump for sufficient surface area. I think a big a** block in the sump allows for more minimal aquascapes (or BB tanks) while maintaining adequate biological filtration.

I added a marinepure block to the sump in my 120g and nitrates went from a stable 5-10ppm to undetectable with Salifert N03 test kit - no other changes.

Marinepure balls I would avoid just like other bio-balls. Trapping debris and detritus likely offsets any benefit. There are some reports of MP leaching aluminium but I don't think that was proved one way or the other.

-droog

Sk8r · 01/13/2016, 01:11 AM

I've looked this over, and it does seem to have some merit. Give it a try and let us know. But do not figure it into your mandated 2 lbs per gallon live rock load.

Dmorty217 · 01/13/2016, 08:40 AM

If you are going this route I would suggest skipping MarinePure and going with Sera Siproax. Stuff is much better IMO. I have the 8x8x4 block and several boxes of the spheres that MarinePure offers and they work but I fear they will become nitrate factories within a few years

shermanator · 01/13/2016, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

If you are going this route I would suggest skipping MarinePure and going with Sera Siproax. Stuff is much better IMO.

I agree with you, but Siporax is MUCH more expensive and harder to get. But sintered glass is a better substrate than aluminosilicate foam for a few reasons.

Dmorty217 · 01/13/2016, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shermanator

I agree with you, but Siporax is MUCH more expensive and harder to get. But sintered glass is a better substrate than aluminosilicate foam for a few reasons.

It is more expensive and only available from overseas sources. You get what you pay for in life and in this hobby

biecacka · 01/13/2016, 10:12 PM

I have a 8/8/4 block I put in my sump 2 weeks ago. Monitoring nitrates as we speak. Will post here with updates.

Corey

tc2007 · 08/29/2016, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biecacka

I have a 8/8/4 block I put in my sump 2 weeks ago. Monitoring nitrates as we speak. Will post here with updates.

Corey

So how did the block work for you? I have a block for more than 18 months now and my nitrates are at 50ppm ever since I have been testing them. Not sure if the block is the culprit. I have a 20g as sump which is too small to move around the block, so I am not sure if the block is getting too high or too low of flow. Thinking about taking it out.

Sk8r · 08/29/2016, 10:03 AM

They function as additional decent rock, nothing more or less. No miracles, just space for bacteria.
If you have unbreakable nitrate I can suggest a) water changes faithfully b) improve your skimmer c) definitely if you are not using ro/di---use ro/di d) NoPoX works well in some tanks: it is a form of carbon dosing, safe but may cause bacterial film.

texdoc77 · 08/29/2016, 10:10 AM

My plan is to use them in my sump as I like the look of a little less rock in the display tank.

Concerning them becoming nitrate factories I don't understand this. They do not produce nitrate from nothing. The bacteria in them break down the much more harmful ammonia and nitrite. If you want less nitrate start with less ammonia, or carbon dose.

ljosh · 08/29/2016, 10:35 AM

What size block are you going to use?

Socalx45 · 08/29/2016, 11:09 AM

I just put them in my refugium. My LFS is converting all their sumps with this

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

CarrieB · 08/29/2016, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texdoc77

My plan is to use them in my sump as I like the look of a little less rock in the display tank.

Concerning them becoming nitrate factories I don't understand this. They do not produce nitrate from nothing. The bacteria in them break down the much more harmful ammonia and nitrite. If you want less nitrate start with less ammonia, or carbon dose.

This comment about nitrate factories usually implies that something would become a place for detritus to gather and rot, which would seem to be more likely for the balls than the blocks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

marinelife · 08/29/2016, 02:43 PM

I have 3 MarinePure bio blocks and I think you need more than they claim to get the best results.
I added Siporax to the sumps as well, this seems to be working for my tank. I added some brightwell blocks as well just to see what they do.

Arc Katana · 08/29/2016, 02:48 PM

I use them to raise my skimmer up higher in my sump. I've got two of the 1" Blocks. Works pretty well, and allows me more room for having stuff going in in the sump.

Do they work better than rock? Dunno, still cycling, but I like the fact I'll be able to swap them into another system fully loaded with bacteria, and no waiting for a cycle.

homer1475 · 08/29/2016, 03:41 PM

Watch your skimmer with the blocks. They are very brittle and if I refer reading correctly, someone tried using a block as a skimmer stand and it disintegrated.

With that said, I started my new tank with 2 of the blocks in my sump. After the Initial cycle and high nitrates ( taken care of with a 90% WC) I still have 0 nitrates. Whether that's because of better husbandry with the new tank or the marine pure, I can't say for sure either way, but my pods love to live and breed in them. So that's a huge bonus with keeping a Mandy in my case.

firemountain · 08/29/2016, 04:45 PM

Last year I added the large Marine Pure Block to my sump right where the overflow dumps into, and noticed a considerable nitrate reduction. I then relocated it to a second tank for an emergency setup. Since then I recently took it off line for a while and gave it a good cleaning in an oxy bath.

I currently now have it back in my DT sump, right where the water spills over into the return chamber. Sofar no complaints. There are rumors about the rock leaching aluminum back into the system overtime, but The Verdict is still out.

Bulk Reef Supply runs it in their sump on their new BRS 160. maybe that will help with your decision.

djbon · 08/29/2016, 05:24 PM

For successful denitrification at higher rate you need to ensure these:-

1) Low dissolved or possibly none for denitrifying bacteria to do its job
2) Absent of lights where your blocks are placed
3) Very low flow, roughly 1% - 5% of total water volume

I tried all possible method and I found out as long as the above are in place, your rocks will function as intended to.

djbon · 08/29/2016, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbon

For successful denitrification at higher rate you need to ensure these:-

1) Low dissolved oxygen or possibly none for denitrifying bacteria to do its job
2) Absent of lights where your blocks are placed
3) Very low flow, roughly 1% - 5% of total water volume

I tried all possible method and I found out as long as the above are in place, your rocks will function as intended to.

Edited: forgot to add oxygen

WaReefer458 · 08/29/2016, 07:18 PM

Anyone ever try cutting them and lining the bottom of a tank with them? Possibly do a layer of 1" thick blocks then cover it with 1" or so of sand?

djbon · 08/29/2016, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaReefer458

Anyone ever try cutting them and lining the bottom of a tank with them? Possibly do a layer of 1" thick blocks then cover it with 1" or so of sand?

I think you can do that as well, that's more or less like a deep sand bed setup. There is a reason why they manufacture the block to a certain thickness, so that denitrifying bacteria will live deep inside the pores where oxygen in low and absent of light. If you can increase these condition, the process will be much faster.

SFish · 08/30/2016, 04:16 AM

I plan on using these in my sump because they will take up less space then rocks. Going for the minimalist look in the DT. I don't expect any miracle from them. I think they will work just like rock. I could see stuff getting trapped if you don't place the blocks in a high flow area or something.

01/12/2016, 03:18 PM	#1
ibrat82 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 292	Marinepure bio blocks Should I add them now to my system while its cycling or after. Does it really matter?

01/12/2016, 04:46 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	^This. If you bought them, return them for store credit. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/12/2016, 04:59 PM	#4
rsain Empiricism's Evangelist Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 119	^^ agree with both. - ryan __________________ "The methods of science have been enormously successful wherever they have been tried. Let us then apply them to human affairs." - BFS "You can't fix with statistics what you buggered by design." - d Current Tank Info: They have water.

01/13/2016, 01:11 AM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I've looked this over, and it does seem to have some merit. Give it a try and let us know. But do not figure it into your mandated 2 lbs per gallon live rock load. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/13/2016, 08:40 AM	#7
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	If you are going this route I would suggest skipping MarinePure and going with Sera Siproax. Stuff is much better IMO. I have the 8x8x4 block and several boxes of the spheres that MarinePure offers and they work but I fear they will become nitrate factories within a few years __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

01/12/2016, 03:24 PM	#2
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	Honestly, they appear to be some sort of a pricey live rock substitute. If you have it, I'd stick with live rock, skip the "bio blocks," and just let your tank cycle naturally over the next few weeks. You'll then have a biological filter well-established and can skip the expense of those things.

01/12/2016, 10:26 PM	#5
droog Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 736	There are a lot of snake oil products in this hobby but I don't think MarinePure falls into this category, especially their (blocks and plates). MarinePure add a lot of surface area for bacteria same as LR. I think LR is better if you have the space in DT and/or sump for sufficient surface area. I think a big a block in the sump allows for more minimal aquascapes (or BB tanks) while maintaining adequate biological filtration. I added a marinepure block to the sump in my 120g and nitrates went from a stable 5-10ppm to undetectable with Salifert N03 test kit - no other changes. Marinepure balls** I would avoid just like other bio-balls. Trapping debris and detritus likely offsets any benefit. There are some reports of MP leaching aluminium but I don't think that was proved one way or the other. -droog

01/13/2016, 10:12 PM	#10
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	I have a 8/8/4 block I put in my sump 2 weeks ago. Monitoring nitrates as we speak. Will post here with updates. Corey

08/29/2016, 10:03 AM	#12
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	They function as additional decent rock, nothing more or less. No miracles, just space for bacteria. If you have unbreakable nitrate I can suggest a) water changes faithfully b) improve your skimmer c) definitely if you are not using ro/di---use ro/di d) NoPoX works well in some tanks: it is a form of carbon dosing, safe but may cause bacterial film. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/29/2016, 10:10 AM	#13
texdoc77 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 417	My plan is to use them in my sump as I like the look of a little less rock in the display tank. Concerning them becoming nitrate factories I don't understand this. They do not produce nitrate from nothing. The bacteria in them break down the much more harmful ammonia and nitrite. If you want less nitrate start with less ammonia, or carbon dose. __________________ "The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self; all your wishes and precautions; to Christ." -C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity) Current Tank Info: Currently Rebuilding

08/29/2016, 10:35 AM	#14
ljosh Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 354	What size block are you going to use?

08/29/2016, 11:09 AM	#15
Socalx45 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 123	I just put them in my refugium. My LFS is converting all their sumps with this Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

08/29/2016, 02:43 PM	#17
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	I have 3 MarinePure bio blocks and I think you need more than they claim to get the best results. I added Siporax to the sumps as well, this seems to be working for my tank. I added some brightwell blocks as well just to see what they do. __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

08/29/2016, 02:48 PM	#18
Arc Katana Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 238	I use them to raise my skimmer up higher in my sump. I've got two of the 1" Blocks. Works pretty well, and allows me more room for having stuff going in in the sump. Do they work better than rock? Dunno, still cycling, but I like the fact I'll be able to swap them into another system fully loaded with bacteria, and no waiting for a cycle. __________________ Don't care much for fancy parties. Too rough.

08/29/2016, 03:41 PM	#19
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Watch your skimmer with the blocks. They are very brittle and if I refer reading correctly, someone tried using a block as a skimmer stand and it disintegrated. With that said, I started my new tank with 2 of the blocks in my sump. After the Initial cycle and high nitrates ( taken care of with a 90% WC) I still have 0 nitrates. Whether that's because of better husbandry with the new tank or the marine pure, I can't say for sure either way, but my pods love to live and breed in them. So that's a huge bonus with keeping a Mandy in my case. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

08/29/2016, 04:45 PM	#20
firemountain Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 1,033	Last year I added the large Marine Pure Block to my sump right where the overflow dumps into, and noticed a considerable nitrate reduction. I then relocated it to a second tank for an emergency setup. Since then I recently took it off line for a while and gave it a good cleaning in an oxy bath. I currently now have it back in my DT sump, right where the water spills over into the return chamber. Sofar no complaints. There are rumors about the rock leaching aluminum back into the system overtime, but The Verdict is still out. Bulk Reef Supply runs it in their sump on their new BRS 160. maybe that will help with your decision. __________________ Eshopps RS100 sump, Eheim 1262 return,Kessil 360WE w/controller, Avast ATO w Litermeter 3, RO Regal 170sss Skimmer, Sicce XStream-e pumps /dc controlled, Spectrapure Dual Reactor Current Tank Info: 65g mixed reef Last edited by firemountain; 08/29/2016 at 04:51 PM.

08/29/2016, 05:24 PM	#21
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	For successful denitrification at higher rate you need to ensure these:- 1) Low dissolved or possibly none for denitrifying bacteria to do its job 2) Absent of lights where your blocks are placed 3) Very low flow, roughly 1% - 5% of total water volume I tried all possible method and I found out as long as the above are in place, your rocks will function as intended to. __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller

08/29/2016, 07:18 PM	#23
WaReefer458 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 333	Anyone ever try cutting them and lining the bottom of a tank with them? Possibly do a layer of 1" thick blocks then cover it with 1" or so of sand?

08/30/2016, 04:16 AM	#25
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	I plan on using these in my sump because they will take up less space then rocks. Going for the minimalist look in the DT. I don't expect any miracle from them. I think they will work just like rock. I could see stuff getting trapped if you don't place the blocks in a high flow area or something.