Reef Discussion

[Agent M]

So I was talking to an LFS about going skimmerless and he suggested I replace the skimmer with a Hydra 30 internal filter. It appeals to me in that I have a tiny sump that it is a great size for, the filter is quiet & energy efficient as well as only needing the media replaced every 12 months. Outside of that I don't really understand the product & whether its a good option for my tank. What I do understand is that it uses electrical current & specialised media to somehow 'clean'your water. I was given a leaflet, info on it:

Capable of enhancing the natural filtration processes in aquariums by as much as 50% when compared to conventional systems.

1. Hydro-PureTechnology- reduction in the nutrient level in which the biological filtration could not fulfill. Stable & constant nitrification & denitrification processes. Result in biological clean water for your fish.

2. Anaerobic Chamber- Media (not included) can be added to this chamber for anaerobic processes, where dissolved oxygen (O2) is absent or only present in small qty's.

3. Biological & mechanical section- a premium filter sponge used to trap suspended debris. High porosity sponge also allows beneficial bacteria to colonise the surface area provided.

Hydro-Pure Technology Processes.

Stg 1.
- organic nutrients
- bioload
- ammonia, nitrite, nitrate
- left over food/debris

Stg 2.
- special formulated medium Cata-Pure was used to amplify the effect of Hydroxyl (OH) reactive ions
- special reaction chamber
- only 5mA passes through the plate
- energy saving

Stg 3. Biologically clean water

Sooo... What do you think?

@NiCd @Oceanarium @holly

 

[Agent M]

 

[NiCd]

What mechanism does it use to manage phosphate?

Does the Hydroxyl ions react with any trace elements as well?

 

[OSCAR85]

Im a little sceptical, If it biological where does the bacteria go after it absorbs the nitrate if its not skimmed out?

 

[NiCd]

In the anaerobic environment, it should be converted to nitrogen

 

[Agent M]

What mechanism does it use to manage phosphate?

Does the Hydroxyl ions react with any trace elements as well?

Phosphate isn't mentioned.

It claims not to interfere or harm the normal function of the tank (my words).

 

[NiCd]

Im with Oscar in the skeptical camp. The claims seem really grand and the information around it is sketchy at best. If the product was really that good I cant see why they are hiding behind vague statements and poor directions?

If you are going down the line of reduction through oxidation have a look into ozone and hydrogen peroxide dosing, its the same concept from what I gather?

Total power usage is 13w for a 300l tank rating, im assuming of that 8w would be the power head so you only have 5w of power to the oxidiser generation?

Alternatively if they are going down the secret squirrel line and it actually does work and they are hoping to go by word of mouth, hit the AU distributor up for a tester and do a review on it?

 

[Agent M]

The handout is vague. I've been told that if I buy one I can bring it back if I'm not happy with it and that he has confidence that I won't, so its tempting but still a $200+ experiment. The shop that I'm talking about has these running on all their systems after there was an incident where the tanks came close to crashing. They used these to get through it.

Also found a response re: phosphates: "The phosphates are broken down to precipitates." @NiCd

There is more information about this product online. The manufacturer answered questions and explained more about the process. It was originally launched in Singapore though so there is a bit of muddled talk and jargon we don't use la! If any of you have been to Malaysia or the likes you should know what I'm talking about la! ;)

The secret squirrel line is what its all about: the filtration media they have dubbed 'Cata-pure' is not something they will disclose the makings of and is the key to its success apparently.

If anyone is interested - bit of crap to wade through to pick out the good bits but a lot of info here: http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514288

I'm not sure what to do... will think on it.

 

[Oceanarium]

Sorry i sit on the skeptical side too, never a fan of sponges to capture debris AKA fish food and poo.

Are you still feeding the soft coral with storm feeds ? If so How often is it going to clag up and need cleaning?

I don't like filters that capture particulate and then just pass good clean water through the wastes.

Pete

 

[MagicJ]

There was a thread about this a while ago - http://thereefuge.com/threads/hydra-internal-filter.8615/. The last post is a link to a review undertaken by Pratical Fishkeeping in December 2012 but there doesn't appear to have been any follow-up. The verdict of this review:

Verdict
I want to love it, but the makers need to be a lot more transparent about exactly what it does and how. Give me the science — not just a couple of shaky charts and meaningless words. I'm hoping to see something special for the price.

This should answer all your questions :)

And, @Agent M you talk about a $200 experiment - you may want to have a look around :

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ocean-Free-Hydra-30-Internal-Filter-550-l-h-/111220950194 - $75 including postage.

 

[holly]

I don't remember where on the reefuge I explained how it works but essentially it should work well according to Jeremy (organic chemist). It's very eneegy efficient for the size as well.

The material in the chamber is just the stuff that causes the reaction where your nasties get pretty much incinerated. I'd be happy to use it in my tanks.

 

[MagicJ]

@holly - your comments were in the thread I linked to above :)

I don't know if this works as claimed or it is just more smoke and mirrors. What I do know is that there is little discussion of this product on the net which, for a product that has been on the market for almost 2 years, may tell you something. Either their marketing stinks, or the product does.

 

[ezza]

@Agent M , I can't help you, but it am reminded of this...

 

[ezza]

I am rofling at the attempt by this company to make a serious video. Nice comb over! It really does seem a little "wishful" in its goals. Not sure I am convinced of its efficacy. The video is ridiculous.

 

[holly]

I'll be putting one of these on my freshwater project that is currently in the works. Didn't think the video was too bad! It's a little dumbed down I'll admit.

 

[Agent M]

Because this product comes out of Singapore, and I've been to Malaysia mixing with non-touristy locals - I'm not really concerned about the poor advertising and explanations, its obviously either not aimed at Westerners or they didn't hire anyone who could do that for them.

I agree though that its concerning there aren't more people talking about it. The one product review online was absolutely hopeless - how can he produce a review for a product he hasn't had long enough to test properly and spit out that rubbish with no followup? I've sent that guy a message and I'm going to track him down till he tells me how his trial turned out.... look out ;)

 

[NiCd]

I still say hit up the au distributor for a sample one to do a review yourself. I couldn't even find the one review, your mention of it here outranked everything else in google.

Either it's a pos or the most poorly represented miracle product in reefing, given Holly's statements it may have a chance at being the latter?

 

[Agent M]

The review is at www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk

I would love to trial one. Its going to feel like asking for a handout but I will ask once I'm done trying out the Polyfilter on my tank, arrived in the post today

 

[Cassandra Lai]

Owner of LFS was showing me the shops tank that is currently using this- he reckons its gonna be the future of keeping aquariums. The tank looked pretty amazing, he said there's colours he hasn't seen with this running for only a week.. Sounded too good to be true. But got me interested.

 

[Cassandra Lai]

That tank was using the hydra stream rather than the internal filter