Aquaripure Set Up

Setting up your Aquaripure is simple.

The setup is the same for all tropical fish tanks, any saltwater aquarium or marine aquarium, and all types of aquarium fish.

Just place the water pump anywhere in the tank or in a sump tank. The water should be relatively free of any inorganic sediment. These illustrations are just examples. Your setup may vary. The Aquaripure can easily be used in conjunction with with hang on back filters, bio-cube aquariums, canister filters, and sump tanks.

For a few pictures of actual aquariums using Aquaripure filters click here.

You should try to place the outflow tube where the effluent will be mixed with water that has a strong water flow or is just about to be filtered. For example, you can place the tube just before mechanical filtration, provided there is enough water flow and turbulence to aerate the water. All that is really needed in addition to the Aquaripure is physical filtration with a filter pad or a sponge filter and adequate water flow. You can also simply let the outflow drip onto the surface of the aquarium provided there is strong water flow on the surface of the water. It is very important to maintain adequate water flow in the aquarium because the water coming out of the denitrator will not have any oxygen in it and it will need to be aerated.

The Aquaripure operates independently of physical filtration and some sort of physical filtration should continue to be used to remove larger particulate matter. However, the Aquaripure should be the primary biological filter in your system. This means other biomedia and anything that can act in a biological capacity will need to be removed when the Aquaripure is connected. You should gradually remove other biomedia and other filters over a few weeks as a precaution. The Aquaripure is seeded with bacteria right before it ships and the aerobic bacteria will develop immediately. Other biomedia can either be removed or placed with other filter media pads or sponge pads that can be rinsed out on a regular basis to prevent excessive bacterial build up. These are offered on the product page for your convenience. The only exception that should be made is in extremely heavily stocked systems and even then other biomedia should be reduced. The only exception that should be made is in extremely heavily stocked systems and even then other biomedia should be reduced. Carbon and phosphate media can be used lightly but should be completely replaced monthly. All other media should be replaced or cleaned at least monthly. Refugiums will not interefere with the Aquaripure although they are not necessary. Protein skimming, if used, should not be excessive and should be reduced when using the Aquaripure. Aquaripure's current position is that UV lighting, Ozone machines, and large miscellaneous reactors should not be used with the Aquaripure.

Aquaripure's denitrators are also "pre-populated" with more beneficial bacteria than ever to work faster than ever. However, a denitrator can still take several weeks to completely cycle. Every aquarium is different. In some systems the Aquaripure will cycle more quickly than in others. Sometimes the difference is immediately noticeable but the denitrator can sometimes take several weeks to make a noticeable difference.

For optimal performance you should adjust the flow control about every 2-3 days. For more information click on the Flow Rate webpage. You should never adjust the flow rate more than once a day however. Aquaripure's filters also come with a very simple to operate feeding tube and nutrients need to be injected every 3-7 days. It is recommended you inject nutrient twice a week for the first few months until the Aquaripure fully cycles and nitrates are under control. After that, most users will maintain satisfactory results only injecting nutrients once a week. If you are unable to inject the nutrient or adjust the flow rate as often as recommended, the filter will still work but possibly not at 100% capacity. If you are not able to adjust the unit for a while or if you go on vacation, just resume the normal schedule as soon as possible.

For more details and instructions on the EZ-feed system click here. (patent pending)

If your tank has high nitrate levels (above 40 ppm) then do a water change first and continue to do water changes and keep nitrates as low as possible until the Aquaripure cycles. Also, please see my Tips on a Successful Aquarium which also applies to all tropical fish tanks, any saltwater aquarium or marine aquarium, and all types of aquarium fish. You will want to continue to monitor pH levels, phosphate levels, and other tank parameters that you normally would and adjust as needed. All tanks should be well buffered at all times with baking soda or a similar buffer.

The Aquaripure will not change the concentration of trace elements in any way. Still, a partial water change every few months and/or using phosphate remover is recommended to keep all trace elements and phosphate levels in optimal balance. The Aquaripure will reduce phosphate build up but may not remove all of them. The use of activated carbon or a synthetic adsorbent can also be used to polish the water. For a more advanced discussion about aquarium water quality click here