coil denitrator and brain washing

[orthokardia]

OK pickupman has began the process of brainwashing (i ask for it) me into a coil denitrator. i have a few questions so i started a new thread even though i am sure you have talked this before it might be helpful to us new folk.

1. what defines the length? i was told 60' and found tubing in 100' roles cheaper than by the foot. does it matter?

2. does it still have to be black if it is in the dark? i am guessing the black is to inhibit algae growth

3. must it have a pump or can it run gravity siphon from the DT?

thanks
-bart

 

[orthokardia]

is pickupman the only one using a coil?

 

[eyebedam]

As far as I know he's the only 1. There may be more but I don't know anyone else using 1

 

[poolkeeper1]

They have been around for a long time and do work, But there Is also the possibility of adding harmful Bacteria Into your tank If not properly maintained. I would do as much reading on the subject as you can B4 jumping Into something that you don't fully understand how It works, And how to operate and service! Just my 2 cents
Bill

 

[Pickupman66]

From everything I read, 50-60 foot was all that was needed. I considered gravity off the return, but it was too unreliable. I use an Aqualifter pump on mine. If you get too much tubing, that pump cant handle that much resistance. the black is to inhibit algae growth. I bought mine by the foot at TSC. I wish I had all the links and stuff to the resources I read on them. I do remember alot of googling and such. FYI, mine looks like a pipe bomb with two black tubes coming out. I ahve read of folks putting them inside a large coffee can and others just leaving the bundle of tubing under their tank. I chose the 4" pvc and caps to keep mine in a nice neat package. there are also several commercial models available and some use Sulfur as part of the process.

The main goal of the coil is to provide an area for the bacteria that remove the Nitrate to thrive. this area must be deprived of oxygen. there are spots in every tank that way, deep inside the rock, but with little to no movement of water to allow it to be treated. thus the coil with a slow drip.

I remember a discussion here several years ago regarding them and the sulfur units. some costing close to $300! Im way too cheap for that. Good luck with it.

Oh yea, Brainwashing!?!?! I think not. like I said, my tank is ultra low maintenence. it is almost 10 years old (dayum).

.yek eht si lioC .yek eht si lioC .yek eht si lioC

 

[atlantisaquari]

doesnt there have to be like bio balls running up inside the middle of the coils? the coils prevent oxygen from reaching the biological media? that is what i thought i had read somewhere.

 

[Pickupman66]

from what I read, the bioballs are extra. jsut added surface area for the bacteria. I didnt feel like sealing the tube up so I just used the tubing.