DIY Natureef Style Denitrator Build and Data thread...
- Thread starter mrx66699
- Start date
nivram
New member
mrx66699
New member
Yes I set it to flush for 20 min....I am going to flush it at the same time I am doing a water change so I can let this first cycle stay in my skimmer chamber and skim it heavy for 30 min or so before cranking it up just to prevent any kind of a bacterial bloom ...just for the first cycle as a precaution
DRThompson
2018 FMAS President
Finally .....first cycle has finished.....
Yay! 20 days for the first cycle. Notice that the nitrites in the chamber are back to zero. Fist cycle took a total of 55ml of pure methanol. There is lots of bacterial growth in the chamber.
We will be more aggressive with the next cycle.
Last edited:
Northside Reef
Premium Member
by more aggressive do you mean more methanol?
mrx66699
New member
Yes a larger volume adjusted to the timing of the first cycle.....
DRThompson
2018 FMAS President
Just a quick update. Started 2nd cycle today, recalculated a dose of 25ml of pure methanol. Hard to read the API chart for nitrates; we decided to dose more aggressively and chose the higher level (60mg/L)
NEW DOSE FOR 2nd Cycle-------------
------------------------------------------
calculations are approx
Still using the same formula and ratio of 3:1 methanol to nitrates
chamber water volume in L = 120
nitrate concentration (API test kit) 60mg/L
120 X 60 = 7200mg or 7.2grams of nitrates
7.2 X 3 = 21.6grams of methanol needed
21.6 /0.81 = 26.7ml of methanol needed
-----------------------------------------------------
Rounded to 25ml of 100% methanol for ease of dosing
We are still in the beginning stages so will re-evaluate after 24-48 hours
NEW DOSE FOR 2nd Cycle-------------
------------------------------------------
calculations are approx
Still using the same formula and ratio of 3:1 methanol to nitrates
chamber water volume in L = 120
nitrate concentration (API test kit) 60mg/L
120 X 60 = 7200mg or 7.2grams of nitrates
7.2 X 3 = 21.6grams of methanol needed
21.6 /0.81 = 26.7ml of methanol needed
-----------------------------------------------------
Rounded to 25ml of 100% methanol for ease of dosing
We are still in the beginning stages so will re-evaluate after 24-48 hours
Last edited:
SPotter
Active member
Here we go now .....nice 2nd cycle complete......flushing and starting 3rd cycle tonight
So that was around 48 hrs????
DRThompson
2018 FMAS President
pretty amazing! We are going to duplicate Monday's dose to be sure. After he flushes the 30gal chamber for 20min, Matt will be dosing 25ml of pure methanol to start cycle #3.
DRThompson
2018 FMAS President
At 100% strength, methanol is EXTREMELY flammable. It will also react with most plastics. You should store 100% strength in HDPE plastics only. Treat it like you would a container of gasoline.
If you dilute it vol/vol to 50% with R/O water it is safe for most plastics and more manageable (less flammable). Treat it like you would a bottle of acetone or rubbing alcohol.
If you dilute it v/v to 25% it is almost completely nonreactive. At 25% strength it's no longer considered hazardous by the Gov. I believe that nitragone is probably in the 20-25% methanol range.
As long as you use r/o, there is no expiration. However, 100% methanol will tend to pull moisture out of the air so keep the lid on tight.
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DRThompson
2018 FMAS President
Yes, that's the plan. With Matt's large 700 gal system we will need to cycle it 3-4 times a day (every 6-8 hours) for it to effectively impact nitrates. If we can remove 10-15% of the nitrates on a daily basis using the 30 gal chamber it will have a HUGE impact on his nitrate control.
I currently run a diy denitrator on my 200gal system and cycle it 3 times per day. It is fully automated with my apex including a peristaltic doser for the methanol.
Once we can get Matt's chamber to cycle consistently, we will completely automate it using his apex.
Northside Reef
Premium Member
Just a quick update. Started 2nd cycle today, recalculated a dose of 25ml of pure methanol. Hard to read the API chart for nitrates; we decided to dose more aggressively and chose the higher level (60mg/L)
NEW DOSE FOR 2nd Cycle-------------
------------------------------------------
calculations are approx
Still using the same formula and ratio of 3:1 methanol to nitrates
chamber water volume in L = 120
nitrate concentration (API test kit) 60mg/L
120 X 60 = 7200mg or 7.2grams of nitrates
7.2 X 3 = 21.6grams of methanol needed
21.6 /0.81 = 26.7ml of methanol needed
-----------------------------------------------------
Rounded to 25ml of 100% methanol for ease of dosing
We are still in the beginning stages so will re-evaluate after 24-48 hours
OK so for this test you used 25ml of pure non mixed methanol. When you automate I am assuming you're going to use the diluted formulation?
How well does the methanol stay mixed with the RO water? is there any separation? Again assuming here. Are you planning on diluting 1:1 RO to methanol and in that equation above you would dose 50ml of the diluted formula at that ratio?
DRThompson
2018 FMAS President
Actually Matt has been dosing with 50% v/v methanol and r/o since we started. To prevent confusion I've been posting the dose in pure methanol. Methanol is very water soluble and a 50% solution will not separate back out.
Mixing methanol tips:
when mixing always add methanol to water
The reaction is exothermic; it will get warm
Measure the volume of water and methanol separately then combine. When combined the total volume will decrease slightly; this is expected.
What do you think the limiting factor is currently before the cycle can be done multiple times in a day? Is it the build-up of bacteria? or the dosing amount? Bascially do you expect to continue increasing the dosage amount until you get to the cycle time you want? or are you trying to culture enough bacteria to reach that goal? or a combo?
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