I think a marine hobbyist ought to be careful when using this product. It should not be placed where water splashes over or through it. This would tend to make it reduce Ammonia and Nitrite, but to over-produce Nitrate, becoming in essence the Nitrate Factory we often talk about.

If it's purpose is to substitute for LR, I believe it should be fully submerged and left alone(almost never rinsed) to enable growth of a complete bacterial biofiltration, where bacterial action can also do the third and final part of the biofiltration process; breaking up Nitrate into Nitrogen gas and water. This manner of use should enable the same process I often describe occurring in 1) the deeper levels of a deep sand bed, 2) a shallow sand bed of Oolitic Sand and 3) a well lit crop of algae.

Marcoss, and anyone else do you agree or disagree? Please shed some light on this for me.

Aloha,

Mark 

I suspect the misunderstanding arises because I didn't give enough information. Many hobbyists have not heard of the old wet-dry or trickle filter system that typically uses bioballs or other small media and may use a filter pad to catch detritus. These media and pads are located in the sump. Tank water drains down and splashes over/through the media allowing the water to become saturated with O2. Oxygen loving Bacteria living on this media process Ammonia and Nitrite into Nitrate. Because there is no area where O2 is near zero Nitrate cannot be broken down. These are what we call "Nitrate Factories".

The manufacturer speaks of using their MarinePure in fresh and salt water aquaria in different applications, including treating it as LR. They even make rock-like pieces. It's their thin blocks used in well oxygenated water in a HOB or canister filter or even setting the MarinePure next to the drain in the sump that could turn it into a Nitrate Factory. 

I just thought it would be good to point out the physics of it and the best use of it in a reef aquarium; using it just like Marcoss seems to be using it. 

Hope that helps.

Aloha,

Mark