What is Katalyst?
Katalyst is a pelletized bioreactive filtration media designed to reduce nitrate and phosphate levels in freshwater and marine aquariums.
What does Katalyst do in an aquarium?
It provides a surface for beneficial microbes to colonize while also supplying organic carbon, allowing them to absorb and process excess nutrients like nitrate and phosphate.
How does Katalyst reduce nitrate and phosphate?
Katalyst fuels microbial growth with organic carbon, enabling bacteria to assimilate nitrogen and phosphorus into biomass that can be removed from the system.
What are the benefits of using Katalyst?
It helps lower nutrient levels, improves water clarity, reduces dissolved organic material, and enhances overall water quality.
What types of aquariums can use Katalyst?
Katalyst is safe for use in freshwater and marine aquariums, including reef and planted systems.
Is Katalyst a replacement for liquid carbon dosing?
Yes, it can be used as a solid carbon source alternative to methods like vodka or sugar dosing, offering more controlled nutrient management.
How should Katalyst be used in an aquarium?
It should be placed in a media reactor, canister filter, or fluidized bed reactor with controlled water flow and pre filtration to prevent clogging.
How much Katalyst should I use?
A common starting guideline is approximately 1 gram per 2 gallons of aquarium water, with adjustments based on nutrient levels and system needs.
How long does Katalyst take to work?
It may take several weeks for the media to become fully colonized by beneficial microbes and begin significantly reducing nutrient levels.
Can Katalyst be used with bacterial supplements?
Yes, it is often used with microbial products such as MicroBacter7 to seed the media and improve nutrient processing efficiency.
Does Katalyst affect oxygen levels or pH?
It may temporarily reduce oxygen levels or pH when first introduced, so proper aeration and monitoring are recommended.
Should I run a protein skimmer when using Katalyst?
Yes, protein skimming is recommended in marine systems to help remove bacterial biomass and maintain proper oxygenation.
Does Katalyst dissolve over time?
Yes, the media is gradually consumed by microbes and will need to be replenished periodically depending on nutrient load.
Can Katalyst help control algae growth?
Yes, by reducing nitrate and phosphate levels, it helps limit the nutrients that contribute to nuisance algae growth.
What sizes is Katalyst available in?
It is available in multiple sizes including 300 g, 600 g, 3.2 kg, and 16 kg.