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Pax-Bellum LLC

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ARID stands for, Algae, Remediation, Illuminated, Device. ARID has the capability to drive down phosphate to levels required for vigorous SPS growth without the need to constantly buy and replace chemical media. This biological filtration system works on the principle of what we at Pax Bellum LLC like to call "biological stoichiometry", the balance of products and reactants in a biological system by use of a biological medium as a nutrient export, in this case algae.
In the reef aquarium we are mainly concerned with balancing the nutrients N:P:K:C, with the goal of limiting phosphate(P). Potassium(K) and carbon(C) are usually never in short supply. However, nitrogen (N) can become depleted by the growth of the algae, causing its growth to stall. To keep the algae growing the aquarist should dose the nitrate solution that is part of the ARID system, maintaining the NO3 level around 1-5ppm. This will allow the Chaetomorpha to continue to grow until phosphate levels are depleted. Algae in this system, is our nutrient export. The Chaetomorpha is vigorously rinsed periodically and a portion discarded. The ARID system differs from a refugium in this way. Chaetomorpha is not viewed as a home for arthropods, copepods and the like.
I know what you?re saying ?dose nitrates? Are you kidding? Don?t we want to get rid of nitrates?? Nitrates have gotten a bad reputation through guilt by association. When we introduce food into our aquarium we have added a source of phosphates, nitrates and carbon compounds. Nitrates in the past were all we could test for accurately to determine nutrient build up. We didn?t have the accurate phosphate tests we now have. So when nitrates rose in our tanks and coral growth slowed or worse, we blamed nitrates when in fact it was elevated phosphate levels disrupting coral growth.
The coaxial LED light tube design of the ARID maximizes light penetration and efficiency. The tube and flange design isolates the algae from atmospheric CO2 unlike a refugium. Where the algae is pushing through the water meniscus and interacting with atmospheric CO2. We did this in order to limit the carbon source for the algae to just that which is respired by the organisms found in the tank. This regulates the growth of the algae and organics that the algae leak into the water leading to water yellowing often associated with refugiums. Compounds that algae leak include sugars (polysaccharides) that aerobic bacteria consume. These bacteria can be found colonizing the surface of the Chaetomorpha, and will play a role as a nutrient export when they are rinsed away during the maintenance procedure. Polysaccharides additionally benefit the aquarium by functioning as a flocculent, binding to organics to precipitate them out of the water column, resulting in water that is crystal clear.
The ARID acts like a lung for your reef tank. Unlike a skimmer that equilibriates the O2 and CO2 levels to that of the surrounding room, a room that is often much higher in CO2 levels than found above a natural reef. The ARID supersaturates the tank with O2 much like phytoplankton does in the surface waters of the ocean. Another benefit from running the ARID on your reef aquarium system can be realized by running the light cycle reverse to your tank lighting (reverse daylight cycle). Reverse daylight cycle will balance the day/night ph swing, and maintain dissolved oxygen levels throughout the night when your main tank lights are switched off, and photosynthesis has ceased.
 
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Pax-Bellum LLC

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New Milford, CT
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arid1.jpg

ARIID V4.2 - Shown "ON" with supplements

arid2.jpg


heatsinkdetail1.jpg

Heat sink, UnValved Push-Fit, and Key Hole Slot Detail - Flanges and LID are machined from 3/8" Cast Acrylic

pushfitdeatail1.jpg

Valved Push-Fit Detail

+In a working system approximately 2/3 of the chamber of the ARIID reactor is filled with macro algae+

+250-300 GPH (can be fed with Maxi-Jet 1200 or via manifold)

+Effective Range: 150Gal High Bio-Load, 175Gal or more - Medium-Low Bio-Load *Multiple Chambers can be used running in a parallel plumbing scheme for all reef sizes*

+All Pax-Bellum Reactors are created using only the highest grade Cast Acrylic. We utilize AutoCAD and CNC Machinery to manufacture each part to a perfect dimensions.

+ Dimensions - 8.375" DIA X 31.5" Tall

+Body -1/4" Wall Cast Acrylic 24" Tall . Lid and Flanges - 3/8" Cast Acrylic 8 3/8" DIA. Water Diffuser Plate 1/4" Cast Acrylic. Light Tube - Polycarbonate. Heat Sink Adapter and Heat Sink - 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum


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Weekly or bi-weekly maintenance of the ARID reactor is as follows;[/FONT]
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Shut down the feed pump and light and disconnect the effluent connector located at the top of the unit. This allows the unit to drain down. Remove the lid and light assembly and empty the Chaetomorpha into a 5 gallon bucket, add to this enough tank water to submerge the algae. Rinse the algae in the bucket by plunging it up and down. This will dislodge the bacterial film growing on the algae surface. Discard the water from the bucket and remove up to a third of the algae and dispose of it. Stretch the remaining algae so that when it is placed back in the reactor it fills the tube as much as possible. tying and wrap the algae around the light tube works well. Tighten down the lid, reconnect the effluent line and turn the unit back on. We suggest a minimum of 8hours of darkness for the algae reactor. 24 hour lighting will stress the algae and not increase the growth rate. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The nitrogen supplement and Iron/Manganese solution is included in this system and should last at least 6 months. The Iron Manganese solution should be dosed on a regular basis. Iron is not easily tested for and will precipitate out rapidly, but it is necessary for the health of your algae growth. We recommend 1 drop per 10 gallons daily. Any more has not shown improved growth rates. I have yet to find an overdose level so no need to worry about having a heavy hand. Replenishment chemicals can be purchased from us as needed.[/FONT]
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prototype2-3.jpg

The Results! Phosphate Export!

(Please note, picture taken during beta testing)
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Pax-Bellum LLC

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New Milford, CT
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Maybe third cousin to a turf scrubber

:smile: The ARID differs from a turf scrubber by being closed to the atmosphere and relying only on the respiration of the tank inhabitants for its CO2 source. This regulates the growth of the algae and allows the dissolved O2 to be higher than can be achieved by aeration by skimmers or splash zones.

The ARID can be configured so the aquarist can hook up the effluent of a Ca reactor directly into the intake, allowing the algae to take up some of that excess CO2 and phosphate before it hits the tank.
 

Pax-Bellum LLC

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What overall height are you looking for? We've been asked by a few people for a shorter version. We're looking for a consensus on what is the maximum height we can make them and still fit under most stands.


We are also working on a nano version for the smaller reefs.
 
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Pax-Bellum LLC

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New Milford, CT
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Our website is currently under construction, but the addres has been fixed.. Thanks for looking out!

ARIID reactors will be available in approximately 3 weeks. We are currently installing new CNC machinery and awaiting components.

We do have 1 chamber available for $500. It is the the show model we used at the MR frag swap. It is 100% operation and free of blemishes.

-Leo
 
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