"NEUTRALIZER 300 DELUXE" Operating Principle: The "Neutralizer 300" Denitrator filter is simple to use, yet is a highly efficient and effective anaerobic biological filter designed to maintain nitrate levels of the aquarium at near zero. The "Neutralizer 300" works on a cyclic flushing design principle. A "batch" of aquarium water is introduced into the "Neutralizer 300" and continuously circulated within the filter for a period of time. During this "cycle", anaerobic bacteria is allowed to consume the nitrates from the water. When the nitrate level of this "batch" of water has been reduced, the filter is allowed to "cycle" again. At this time the "batch" of water with reduced nitrates is reintroduced into the aquarium, and a new "batch" of aquarium water is introduced into the "Neutralizer 300" to begin the "cyclic" process again. This process of exchanging "batches" of aquarium water in and out of the "Neutralizer 300" allows for the eventual reduction of nitrates for the entire aquarium. Once the biological field has been established, the "Neutralizer 300" is self-sustaining. A specially design biological filter media ("neutra spheres") allows for colonization of large amounts of nitrate consuming bacteria, and also decomposes allowing for simultaneous feeding of the bacteria for up to 12 months. The "Neutralizer 300" comes with everything needed for aquariums up to 150 gallons. By replacing the "blue" bio spheres with 2 packages of selffeeding "neutra spheres" the filter can be equipped to handle up to 300 gallons of aquarium water. Setup for Neutralizer 300 Deluxe: 1. Install 1/2" fitting into threaded hole on the end of the filter. 2. Install 1" fitting into threaded hole on the front of the filter 3. Place white eggcrate into bottom section of filter (on top of acrylic blocks). 4. Place "blue" bio spheres into bio area (on top of white eggcrate). If using on aquariums up to 300 gallons, replace "blue" bio spheres with 2 packages of "neutra spheres". 5. Place "neutra spheres" on top of blue bio spheres. 6. Install suction cups into submersible water pumps. 7. Install one of the water pumps in chamber next to bio spheres. The pump should be attached to the lower portion of the inside wall of filter with output directed under bio area. 8. Place lid on top of filter. 9. Position filter on back, or on top of the aquarium or trickle filter so that water exiting through the large fitting will return to aquarium or sump. If necessary cut the included 1" clear hosing to appropriate length so water will return without splashing (hose should remain slightly above the sump or aquarium water level). 10. Mount second water pump into aquarium or trickle filter (this must be the same source to which water will be returning) and attach included 1/2" clear hosing from pump to small fitting on side of filter. 11. Attach ORP electrode to controller. 12. Place electrode in hole (above the recirculating pump) in the top of filter lid. 13. Plug the pump that is in the aquarium of filter sump into piggyback module of controller. 14. Plug piggyback module into GFCI outlet. 15. Follow controller instructions to: control at 150 MV, and a 'Dead Band' of 75 MV. The "Neutralizer 300" is now ready to begin lowering nitrate levels in the aquarium. You must place one "neutra feeding tablet" into the feeding port in the top of the filter every 3 days for the first 30 days. 16. Allow filter to run for 2 weeks. Continue using feeding tablets every 3 days for 30 days. 17. Adjust controller to get setpoint of 100 MV. 18. Allow filter to run for 1 week. 19. Adjust controller to get setpoint of 50 MV. 20. Allow filter to run for 1 week. 21. Adjust controller to get setpoint of 0 MV. 22. Allow filter to run for additional one week. 23. Adjust setpoint for -100 MV. 24. At this point the filter should be "cycling" several times per day and upon testing of water inside the filter, you should note reduced nitrate levels. 25. You can allow the filter to run continuously at these settings, you should however, optimize the settings for the best possible nitrate reduction results. (see Optimization below) Once the biological colony is established, then it will be self-sustaining and feed on the "neutra spheres" for 6-12 months. When a considerable physical reduction in the size of the "neutra spheres" is noticed, 50% of the "neutra spheres" should be removed and replaced with new "neutra spheres". Then 60 days later the remaining 50% should also be replaced. WARNING: Do not replace all "neutra spheres" at one time, this will not allow sufficient time for re-colonization of biological bacteria, and the filter will have to be re-started by feeding with "neutra feeding tablets" for 30 days. Optimization: To optimize the filter's nitrate reduction capability. When there is a MV reading of at least -100 MV, take a nitrate level test (with a high quality test kit) from the water inside the filter. Make a chart that shows your nitrate levels well as MV reading and record the first test results. Example of Chart Test # Nitrate level MV Reading 1 .8 ppm @ -110 MV 2 .8 -118 3 .6 -127 4 .2 -155 5 .1 -199 6 .1 -198 7 .1 -199 Take several more tests at various MV readings, be sure to record all results. After several tests you will be able to notice a pattern. As your nitrate levels drop so does the MV reading. Review your findings, when you are satisfied with the nitrate level of any one the tests, find the corresponding MV reading on your chart. Note: You do not have to always use the lowest reading, if there is a considerable gap between levels, you could decide upon a slightly higher level and corresponding MV reading. Remember, you can retest at anytime and readjust your MV setpoint. This is now the optimum MV reading for the desired nitrate reduction level. Simply adjust controller to this MV reading. Now the filter will only cycle when nitrate levels have dropped to the reading you have decided upon. In the above example the test #4 could be the level you decide upon. Simply adjust the controller set point to -155 MV. This will allow the nitrate levels to drop to .2 ppm before the filter "cycles" and a new "batch" of water is introduced into the filter to begin the reduction process. When MV readings are between -100 and -300 MV, The filter is within the correct operating range. Adjustments to the MV readings will at times have very little or no effect on the nitrate reduction capability of the filter. If this is true in your case, allow filter to operate within these parameters for a period of time, and then retest nitrate levels again. You may be able to 'fine tune' the filter after it has run for some time.