DIY Natureef Style Denitrator Build and Data thread...

[hobbzz]

Thanks for the help Dave! I think I have the methanol part down due to the instructions earlier in the thread. The maxijet I was referring to has the maximod or sureflow mod that was popular around ten years ago. Closest shape available today would be a koralia or sicce voyager. Puts out 1600gph or 2000gph depending on which prop you use. I'll look into one of the others though.

Do you guys get the strontium local or online? If online, where?

Lastly, should I shoot for two cycles a day since the breeder is a little larger than desired?

Thanks again for the help guys!

 

[hobbzz]

Got it up and running. I added the proper dose of methanol on the 13th of this month. A few days later the water started to cloud with bacteria. I added a second dose of methanol last week, and now the water has cleared by about 50%. Still cloudy with some bacteria, but not as much as before. Could I have killed off some of the bacteria by adding another dose of methanol? I also added a glass top around the same time. It covers about 80% of the top of the tank, so it's not air tight.

 

[DRThompson]

Got it up and running. I added the proper dose of methanol on the 13th of this month. A few days later the water started to cloud with bacteria. I added a second dose of methanol last week, and now the water has cleared by about 50%. Still cloudy with some bacteria, but not as much as before. Could I have killed off some of the bacteria by adding another dose of methanol? I also added a glass top around the same time. It covers about 80% of the top of the tank, so it's not air tight.

Cloudiness is good, you should start seeing the slimy growth on your egg crate. More methanol will not kill off bacteria. Looks like you started your chamber about 2 weeks ago?

What are your nitrates in the chamber? When was the last time you tested? Did you ad heterotrophic bacteria to the chamber? Are you dosing strontium yet?

 

[hobbzz]

Yes started two weeks ago. It's significantly less cloudy after adding the second dose of methanol...not sure if that indicates anything. Nitrates were 10 when I started, and the same at the beginning of this week. I'm going to test again later today. No one in town has one of these up and running so I didn't have any seed culture to start out with. Not going to be dosing strontium until after the denitrator is fully cycled and running smoothly.

 

[DRThompson]

Yes started two weeks ago. It's significantly less cloudy after adding the second dose of methanol...not sure if that indicates anything. Nitrates were 10 when I started, and the same at the beginning of this week. I'm going to test again later today. No one in town has one of these up and running so I didn't have any seed culture to start out with. Not going to be dosing strontium until after the denitrator is fully cycled and running smoothly.

what test kit are you using for nitrates? 10 is pretty low to start. Is there a "rotten eggs" coming from the denitrator?

I've listed some products that contain Heterotrophic/denitrifying bacteria
Instant Ocean: Nitrate Reducer
Two Little fishies: Bactiv8
Seachem: Pristine
DVH BioGro 3
Dose directly into the chamber.These are options if you cant get some starter culture.

Alternately, if you PM me, I'd be happy to mail you some.

 

[hobbzz]

Salifert for nitrates. I would like to get to around 5ppm or lower after removing my ATS, and be able to feed more than I am now. Just taking a proactive approach. No smell from the denitrator. I'll check some local stores tomorrow and report back. Any idea if microbacter7 would work? I know advanced aquarist did some testing on it and it worked, and most local stores around here carry it. Thanks for the help!

 

[delmo]

If not seeded it can take months before the first cycle. Just keep feeding and be sure to throw away the flushed chamber water from the first cycle after it's completion. (The first cycle can get nasty and be undesirable for your tank)

 

[DRThompson]

Salifert for nitrates. I would like to get to around 5ppm or lower after removing my ATS, and be able to feed more than I am now. Just taking a proactive approach. No smell from the denitrator. I'll check some local stores tomorrow and report back. Any idea if microbacter7 would work? I know advanced aquarist did some testing on it and it worked, and most local stores around here carry it. Thanks for the help!

microbacter7 is fine, it is a mix of autotrophic and heterotrophic.

 

[hobbzz]

I was actually able to some pristine locally.

 

[hobbzz]

Ok I did the initial dose as per the instructions, should I continue to dose daily according to the instructions? If so, for how long? Thanks for all the help.

 

[DRThompson]

Ok I did the initial dose as per the instructions, should I continue to dose daily according to the instructions? If so, for how long? Thanks for all the help.

You dosed the chamber? right? I'd put 1/2 the bottle in the chamber plus some methanol and let it cook.

 

[hobbzz]

I only got the small bottle. So I'll dump half of it in with some methanol. And yes I dosed the chamber. Thanks again.

 

[govertical19]

So I gotta a question. I already ordered the natureef system.. and found this thread later... After I get the system up and going can I switch to Methanol? Is it that simple? This way I do not keep using the natureef product?

I kind of been back and forth reading this thread so I may have missed this but are your using the Phosphagone product still? Or is there a alternative. I used seaklear awhile back to remove phos and that method was really not that hard.. But I would rather get a system where you set and forget it..

 

[SPotter]

DIY Natureef Style Denitrator Build and Data thread...

I will continue to use the Natureef products.

 

[doggydoc]

I choose to use the Natureef products....just don't want to deal with METHANOL a in my garage !

 

[hobbzz]

If you don't want to deal with methanol then you will need to get rid of the Natureef brand nitrate remover. Also make sure not to get any Red Sea NoPox, because that is methanol as well.

 

[SPotter]

If you don't want to deal with methanol then you will need to get rid of the Natureef brand nitrate remover. Also make sure not to get any Red Sea NoPox, because that is methanol as well.

i think you are missing his point. There's a significant difference between dealing with nitragone and pure methanol.

 

[hobbzz]

All you need to do is dilute it. That's all nitragone is. Technically, I believe nopox contains vinegar as well. After dilution they're all the same (except for the acetic acid). But if you're uncomfortable diluting it then yes, you would have no alternative.

 

[Greg 45]

Are we stating diluted methanol and regular methanol aren't flammable. Take some out and set it on fire. You cannot see the flame so if either catch on fire you will feel heat before flames. After driving a sprint car with a 30 gallon fuel cell in it or any type of racing you will learn this. Remember diluted or straight up FLAMMABLE . Both aren't safe . Also poring water on a methanol fire isn't a good idea . Please read instruction or data sheet on any product you use.

 

[hobbzz]

I don't think anyone was saying that. Just saying that buying methanol and diluting it yourself is the same end result as buying Red Sea NoPox or Natureef Nitragone, because they all contain the same main active ingredient...diluted methanol. I've read the entire thread and haven't seen anyone say that it isn't flammable. Or to treat it irresponsibly, unless you count yourself talking about lighting it on fire.

You bring up a good point about msds sheets though. Here is the msds for NoPox: http://5w56d28u4co20frgwagf5y18.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/NO3-PO4-X.pdf

Natureef doesn't have an msds for Nitragone or Phosphagone on their site.

Here is an msds for 100% pure methanol, although you would need to use the one supplied by the retailer of your choosing to get the msds for your exact product. http://kni.caltech.edu/facilities/msds/methanol.pdf