This webpage is devoted to providing the more experienced aquarist a few advanced setup tips and to review the use of the Aquaripure nitrate removal system in all aquarium types.  If you would like some general tips for beginners see Aquaripure's Tips for a Successful Aquarium.

The Aquaripure is more than just a simple filter.  It is a system and philosophy generally intended to replace other systems.  However, far from being expensive, time consuming and complex, the Aquaripure system is designed to be simple and save the aquarist time and money.  It can be used in freshwater fish only tanks, saltwater fish only tanks, coral reef tanks, and even freshwater planted tanks. 

The Aquaripure is a comprehensive biological filter and will replace other biological filters.  The Aquaripure contains at least dozens if not hundreds of different species of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and will completely break down all organic matter that passes through it into gasses in a properly set up system.  This process is even used to remove toxic chemicals from wastewater in industry.  By contrast, sulfur denitrators really only have one specific bacteria in them and all they do is remove nitrates.  They will not be effective at breaking down the organic matter in an aquarium.  Protein skimmers act to remove organic matter from the water.  The problem is even the very best skimmers do not remove all of the organic matter and do not remove nitrates at all and nitrates will still increase.    

The following information is intended to give specific setup tips in each of these types of aquariums.

Freshwater Fish Only Aquariums

Using the Aquaripure system in freshwater fish only aquariums is extremely straightforward and simple.  In fact, no other advice needs to be given other than what is elsewhere on the website.  Many customers have reported the Aquaripure cycling almost immediately and not even having to inject nutrient as often as indicated.  For optimal performance simply follow all of the instructions as given.  You will want to just do a water change occasionally and check pH every couple of weeks or so.  Other than the Aquaripure denitrator you only need to make sure you have strong water flow, especially on the surface, and sufficient physical filtration of the water.  Carbon is also useful, but not necessary to polish the water.  Also, for those occasional water changes and top offs use distilled water or clean water purified with an RO filter. 

Saltwater Fish Only Aquariums

Using the Aquaripure system in saltwater fish only aquariums is also very straightforward but saltwater aquariums by their nature are slightly more involved than freshwater aquariums.  Salinity must be monitored occasionally and pH is perhaps even more important.  Also, the ubiquitous protein skimmer is present in just about every saltwater aquarium.  A protein skimmer is not needed with the Aquaripure system.  Once the Aquaripure gets nitrates down you will find your protein skimmer barely producing any scum at all.  However, they do a great job of aerating the water and so if a protein skimmer is already present then it should be kept operational but you should reduce the action of the skimmer slightly.  Also, if the aquarium is lightly stocked and other biological filtration is present, such as bioballs in a wet/dry, it is better to eliminate the other biological filtration.  Other than the Aquaripure denitrator you only need to make sure you have strong water flow, especially on the surface, and sufficient physical filtration of the water.  An occasional partial water change is recommended.  Also, for water changes and top offs use clean water purified with a Tap Water Filter.   

Coral Reef Aquariums

Using the Aquaripure system in a coral reef aquarium requires slightly more consideration than in a fish only aquarium since a coral reef aquarium is a more complex aquarium to begin with.  The Aquaripure will not be effective in an aquarium with a light bioload, a lot of live rock, other biological filtration, and a large protein skimmer.  It will be effective in this situation if the biological filtration is eliminated and the skimmer is either eliminated or the action of the skimmer is reduced.  This is because the Aquaripure needs at least some organic material in the water column so that the aerobic bacteria can which feeds on the organic matter will use the oxygen in the water and create the anoxic conditions that the anaerobic bacteria need to break down nitrates.  Some organic matter in the water column will actually be beneficial to corals and help them grow, unlike nitrates which is mainly be utilized by algae. 

Also, if nutrients are injected into the Aquaripure denitrator every four days then this will help the Aquaripure remain cycled and will keep nitrates in the tank at zero.  You will also want to adjust the flow control valve about every other day.  Of course, you will also want to monitor pH and kH once a week or so and add trace elements into the tank to replenish those used by the corals.  These tips will ensure the bacteria in the denitrator remain established in a reef aquarium.  An occasional partial water change is recommended.  For water changes and top offs use clean water purified with a Tap Water Filter.  There are ways to monitor water quality even when nitrates are at zero.  There are tests which measure Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP.)  Although optional these can help ensure optimal water quality with zero nitrates. To learn more about aquarium water quality click here.  Aquaripure carries nitrate test kits and electronic TDS, ORP, and pH monitors on the product page.

Freshwater Planted Aquariums

The Aquaripure system can be used in a freshwater planted aquarium but it does require more consideration than a fish only system because a freshwater planted aquarium is more complex than a fish only system.  The Aquaripure denitrator will eliminate nitrates in the planted aquarium.  In a freshwater planted aquarium nitrates should be monitored and once zero nitrates are reached nitrogen will need to be occasionally added to the aquarium in the form of a nitrogen fertilizer.  There are many nitrogen fertilizers for freshwater planted aquariums on the market.  The Aquaripure denitrator will break down organic matter and nitrates in the aquarium but it does so slowly and gradually.  It is not instantaneous so added nitrates will remain in the aquarium long enough to be utilized by the plants.  This way you can carefully control the exact level of nitrogen in the aquarium for optimal plant growth while at the same time preventing unwanted algae.  A very small amount of phosphate fertilizer may need to be added as needed also.  The Aquaripure system will not affect the levels of other trace elements and so an overall macronutrient fertilizer containing trace elements should be added just as in any other planted aquarium.  To see a picture of Aquaripure's own planted aquarium click here.  For those occasional water changes and top offs use distilled water or clean water purified with an RO filter. 

There is one other important consideration in using the Aquaripure system in a freshwater planted aquarium and that is water flow.  Some freshwater planted aquarists advocate greatly reducing water flow and CO2 injection to artificially increase CO2 levels in the tank.  While this does increase plant growth, it is a delicate balance to make sure the fish in the aquarium have enough oxygen.  Aquaripure advocates adequate water flow and aeration in all aquariums.  With adequate water flow and aeration in a planted aquarium natural optimal oxygen and CO2 levels are maintained at all times.  The only other thing you need to do is fertilize and check pH once a week.  The desired pH can be maintained using baking soda.  CO2 fertilization is not necessary as all freshwater plants will grow in natural CO2 levels. 

If the Aquaripure system is used in a tank with low water flow and CO2 fertilization then care must be taken to ensure that the effluent from the denitrator is thoroughly aerated before being introduced into the tank.  This can be achieved by trickling the outflow through a bag of activated carbon.  This can be done in an under aquarium or hang on back sump system.  Letting the effluent flow through the activated carbon will aerate the effluent while still maintaining the increased CO2 in the tank itself.  This step is only necessary in aquariums with very low water flow.