Another DSB - Deep Sand Bottles!

[goldmaniac]

water running thru the tubes would provide oxygen, making it an aerobic reaction. Deep sand beds use anaerobic bacteria to turn nitrates into nitrogen.

What you're describing is similar to the priciples of bioBalls. UNLESS you made the flow so incredibly slow that it would keep everything anaerobic.

here's a DIY coil denitrifyer I saw once, 30 ft of coil, and the flow is something like one DROP per second.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=470701&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[goldmaniac]

Self correction - this article says a fast trip is best. but here's the caveat:

From the article:
"Too fast a flow and your tests will show nitrites, as the bacterias have too much O-2 and denitrification isn't taking place. Too slow a drip or flow rate and hydrogen sulfides are produced, giving a rotten-egg smell that indicates trouble to the inhabitants of the reef or fish tank. I have experimented and found that a drip of just under a steady-stream is best."

it's a balancing act when you're working with a certain level of flow. One reason why DSB's are more popular, I'd imagine.

 

[gpodio]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11286947#post11286947 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rond310
I like this idea and was thinking what if a stand of PVC and eggcrate was used in the sump to elevate the bottle above the water line (like how some people use to elevate the skimmers a little) and you rigged a powerhead, a tee off of the overflow or some other way to get water in the top of the bottle and had smallholes drilled in the bottom to let the water flow slowly through the length of the bottle. Do you guys think this could work??

I think this would actually oxygenate the bottle... remember we want little to no flow through a DSB in order to create the anoxic conditions required for denitrification. I guess the flow could be reduced to such a slow rate that all the oxygen is consumed in the first half of the bottle by nitrifying bacteria... kind of like the denitrifying coils and such...

But I still believe flow has little to do with nitrate mobility within the body of water. I may be wrong... I really need to test this in an isolated tank. I'll try my best to do so ASAP. The good thing is that the bottles are now "active" having been in the system for over 4 months, if they work they should start working pretty quickly.

 

[goldmaniac]

oops

fast DRIP, not fast Trip. hah. sorry

 

[goldmaniac]

is it anoxic or anaerobic?

or is it anoxic conditions, an environment for anaerobic bacteria..

I don't know. I think my brain is full with Reef Science.

 

[gpodio]

Either way they are both without oxygen

Now about that fast trip.... ;-)

 

[rond310]

My thought was something of a slow stream or drip of water. I figured to fast for the flow would turn it into something similar to those fluid bed filters which would produce nitrates.

 

[neodama]

I guys I know this is like digging dinosaur bones but how did this experiment go? Reason I ask is I'm trying to implement something similar but instead of relying on diffusion and gravity, I'm tying to 'encourage' flow into my BIGGER glass jars like in the diagram below:

I plan on driving the flow with a *really slow* pump. What are your thoughts?

 

[goldmaniac]

haha yeah, this is an old thread, but I remember this thread and interested to hear if action was taken on this idea.

bump

 

[Reverend Reefer]

oh i was confused for a moment there, its an oldie but a goodie?

wonder if it worked? i thought deep sand beds required worms and benthic organisms to bring the nutrients to the anaerobic bacteria? could that small amount of lateral space provide enough of these critters, i wonder.

 

[neodama]

Well it has been over 3 years so if there are any results its time to say yay or nay!

 

[SWINGRRRR]

in a regular DSB there's no flow reaching the sand under the top layer,

I think they way Mr Calfo originally put it was, are you willing to put a drop of gasoline at the bottom of the bucket and then put it online in your system?

The OP hasn't been active in 5-6 months.