DIY Natureef Style Denitrator Build and Data thread...

[DRThompson]

Still have my porcelain crab but he's living in a long tentacle anemone now; my clowns have taken over the RBTA.

Wow, you still havnt finished your first cycle. Yes, I think the size of the chamber is a factor. I'm worried about oxygen exchange at the surface. I'd advise a smaller tank if possible with a smaller water surface area. Make sure you keep it covered and away from bright light. The light wont kill the heterotrophic bacteria but might feed other bacteria and algae that you dont want in your chamber. (sump light that turns off and on when you are accessing the sump is fine just try not to put a grow light for macro algae near the chamber)

The brown stuff is directly from my reactor. The bacteria should still be active and carries the proper enzymes to reduce nitrates. When was the last time you added methanol?

 

[hobbzz]

Added methanol a few days ago. Should I keep it airtight until I get a new tank set up?

 

[hobbzz]

Got the gallon set up. Is this too much surface agitation?

 

[DRThompson]

Got the gallon set up. Is this too much surface agitation?

wow, can you turn that pump down some? That's a lot of surface movement.

 

[hobbzz]

No. I'll have to get something smaller. That's 1400gph. Should I look for 1000? 750? 500?

 

[DRThompson]

No. I'll have to get something smaller. That's 1400gph. Should I look for 1000? 750? 500?

Maybe 1/2 that. Maximum flow inside with min flow on top.

 

[hobbzz]

Ok I got a smaller powerhead in there. Also still at 10ppm. I could do a flush if that wouldn't hurt anything...the nitrates in my display are up to 25ppm due to my skimmer overflowing and dumping a quart of skimmate back into the tank. Might be easier to get it going with more nitrate?

 

[hobbzz]

Still the same today, and the water is not as cloudy.

 

[delmo]

If I remember right, about 11 years ago, it took me about 5-6 weeks to get my first cycle finished in a 5 gallon chamber! And the water was so dank and nasty, that I threw it out instead of flushing it into the tank. Patience is key for the first cycle. You may also want to find a way to divert your first batch into the drain like I did, but be ready with 40 gallons of DT water to refill it...

 

[mrx66699]

Patience is the key to things. You have to let the bacteria grow to levels that will handle the amount of nitrates incoming.

 

[SPotter]

how many times a day is everyone flushing the reactor?

 

[doggydoc]

I am flushing mine 3 times per day....still cannot keep up with my nitrates! Lol

 

[SPotter]

I'm using the natureef products and have no problems with nitrates staying low. It's my phosphates that's the problem. I'm wondering if I can add a 4th flush.

 

[hobbzz]

I'm perfectly patient, but I need to know if it's set up properly.

 

[elviraveloz]

I started Denitrator with nitrates above 160 ppt. Took me 3 1/2 months to lowered to .75ppt, at the moment. Flushing 3 times a day. I don't think will get any lower, love feeding too much.

 

[hobbzz]

Good to see my two months isn't too out of line then.

 

[delmo]

I have found that 3x is key. 4x and you can get so low (after a while) that the system can crash. 3x is more of a set it and forget. 4x and you have to start watching/upping your Strontium Nitrate doses just to insert nitrate after a while.

 

[fftfk]

Couple of questions after reading through the whole thread:

I always thought denitrators had to run in the dark but this does not appear to be correct. Is there any benefit to running them in the dark? In addition, I thought the boxes needed to be airtight but I guess that is not correct.

They seem pretty simple - just a box that water sits in with a little water movement. It's surprising to me that natureef charges so much. Do they have something in the box other than what is shown here? Is there an optimal design to the box? Rectangular? Cube? Etc.

I've studied the pictures but didn't get an idea...is there an optimal set up of eggcrate and amount of egg crate? Can I just line the box with egg crate? Where does the pump go? Flowing along the egg crate or through it?

Thanks for any answers. This is an interesting idea.

 

[elviraveloz]

Not in the dark but not direct light. Covered but not airtight. Any acrylic, plastic, glass container. Any shape you want. Any design with egg crate but not against walls or bottom of chamber. Leave enough space in center for bacteria to grow. If you have Apex not a big expense, if you have the space not a big deal, if you love to feed your live saver.

 

[elviraveloz]

:bounce3:Oh forgot to mentioned, I'm new with Denitrator soon the experts will chime in and help you thru. I'm just so happy with results I don't stop talking about it!!