Denitrater Unit
- Thread starter jayblock
- Start date
Thinking about one myself, found this in the DIY forum I was going to start soon. Was hoping to find the sulfur local before I ordered online.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1288082&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1288082&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
Monkeyfish
Active member
Great link/thread. Thanks. About how much did the materials cost?
cb747
Active member
media came from PW. Instead of using the matrix Warren and i used sea chem Denitrate as all it does it give the bacteria a place to live. We used alot less sulfur media as its only purpose is for food for the bacteria. Warrens is just about fully cycled and mine is still cycling. My trates are around 100 where as Warrens are 40. Thats correct about the second chambers. Just for some CA media to raise up the PH slightly.
CB, i noticed you were on an orlando forum. My friends down there go to meetings with a member that builds them, i am getting all the specifics on cost and how the unit works, but aparently he builds many of them for the reef community down there and everyone has been very happy
pecan2phat
Active member
I would order the sulfur that MidWest utilizes in their Sulfur Reactor. The LSM by CarribSea is too small and light. The MidWest sulfur are actual spherical in size and come preseeded with freeze-dried bacteria.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...een=PROD&Product_Code=MA-HPS35&Category_Code=
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...een=PROD&Product_Code=MA-HPS35&Category_Code=
DEXTER SOLIS
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12818144#post12818144 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cb747
Under 100 i used 4 inch PVC for Warrens and my reactors.
Im assuming the two on the right are Warrens
pecan2phat
Active member
Sulfur reactors will drive your alkalinity down. I have problems keeping my alkalinity stable with just a kalk stirrer on the fowlr system. Since adding the sulfur reactor, my alkalinity is dropping twice as fast prior to the sulfur reactor.
You need to be aware of this so that you can plan for adjustments. My alk is dropping 2 dkh every two days.
You need to be aware of this so that you can plan for adjustments. My alk is dropping 2 dkh every two days.
Well if the Alkalinity is dropping, whats the solution? Under normal circumstances when the Alkalinity is a little low i just add Kents Calcium Buffer Part B. Is that what you would recommend when your tank is dropping more drastically like you are describing? Or is too much part B to increase your Alkalinity not recomended or harmful to the tank?
pecan...thanks for the alert, I was planning on starting mine today.
You separated the media right, just a guess but perhaps keeping the sulfur and ca apart could be a factor? The impression I got was the ca media broke down due to the low pH in the chamber, since yours is separate perhaps the ca isn't braking as fast.
You separated the media right, just a guess but perhaps keeping the sulfur and ca apart could be a factor? The impression I got was the ca media broke down due to the low pH in the chamber, since yours is separate perhaps the ca isn't braking as fast.
cb747
Active member
The CA media is in the small reactor. We have seachem Denitrate mixed in the the sulfur in the big reactor. The reason for the CA media being in the smaller reactor is once its cycled you really dont want to have to open the sulfur reactor. Oxygen will start the cycle all over again.
pecan2phat
Active member
Somewhere in that DIY thread, they talk about the low alkalinity. I'm pretty sure that 2-part solution (using just part B) was not suggested since over time, the ionic balance gets out of whack. The author uses SeaChem Reef Builder which is what I also have been using for a while now to bring alk into balance. Plus, it's probably cheaper of the two unless you made your own 2-part solution. You can use this chemistry calculator to figure how much to dose of a number of different products:
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html
Yes, the biological media is on the bottom then separated with a coarse sponge with the sulfur on top.
Chris is correct, you don't want to open the reactor if there is no need, hence the calcium carbonate is in a separate vessel.
If the calcium media acted like a Ca Reactor, then there would not be an alkalinity issue. It helps raises the effluent PH up somewhat but definitely not back up to the 8's.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html
Yes, the biological media is on the bottom then separated with a coarse sponge with the sulfur on top.
Chris is correct, you don't want to open the reactor if there is no need, hence the calcium carbonate is in a separate vessel.
If the calcium media acted like a Ca Reactor, then there would not be an alkalinity issue. It helps raises the effluent PH up somewhat but definitely not back up to the 8's.
Alkalinity and Calcium Buffers
Alkalinity and Calcium Buffers
I am very unfamiliar with other methods of raising and lowering alkalinity and calcium levels. Please educate me, I was advised to use Kents Part B when the alkalinity levels are low which is directly correlated with the Calcium Levels being High. and WHen the Alkalinity levels are high and the calcium low, use part A. i was also under the impression that if both the calcium and alkalinity levels were in line, the PH should be in line as well. In the past 20 months of running my tank this what i do, 99% of the time when i test, either my alkalinity is right on the money or a bit low, I have never seen it high. Although i must say i am just getting started with sps corals, previously i mostly had leathers any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Alkalinity and Calcium Buffers
I am very unfamiliar with other methods of raising and lowering alkalinity and calcium levels. Please educate me, I was advised to use Kents Part B when the alkalinity levels are low which is directly correlated with the Calcium Levels being High. and WHen the Alkalinity levels are high and the calcium low, use part A. i was also under the impression that if both the calcium and alkalinity levels were in line, the PH should be in line as well. In the past 20 months of running my tank this what i do, 99% of the time when i test, either my alkalinity is right on the money or a bit low, I have never seen it high. Although i must say i am just getting started with sps corals, previously i mostly had leathers any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
pecan2phat
Active member
2-part solution was formulated to be dosed in equal parts hence the name.
When one chemistry balance is out of whack, you would use either an alkalinity or a calcium booster. This way you can continue your 2-part solution as a normal dosing regime to add calcium, alkalinity & magnesium to your tank.
If you constantly use part B to battle the low alkalinity caused by the sulfur effluent, you will only have part A left to 1-part dose
The concept to correct either calcium or alkalinity levels with calcium chloride or baked baking soda comes from calcium reactor usage.
When one chemistry balance is out of whack, you would use either an alkalinity or a calcium booster. This way you can continue your 2-part solution as a normal dosing regime to add calcium, alkalinity & magnesium to your tank.
If you constantly use part B to battle the low alkalinity caused by the sulfur effluent, you will only have part A left to 1-part dose
The concept to correct either calcium or alkalinity levels with calcium chloride or baked baking soda comes from calcium reactor usage.
