DIY Sulfur Denitrator

[billpa]

Hi Randy

I have a question regarding ASD. I'm looking to build a experimental DIY ASD http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=770145 with an additional chamber of calcium carbonate to neutralize the acidic effluent from the first chamber filled with pure (99.99%) granular sulfur. I have a friend who is a biochemist (you actually might know him...but thats besides the point) and I called him up to see if he could purchase the granular sulfur for me. Here is a link to the material:

http://asp.cerac.com/CatalogNet/default.aspx?p=Details&C_Item_No=S-1159

In the description, it says its 6mm granular and smaller (good size from the articles I have read from MARS, etc.) but it also states that they are "soft lumps". Does that mean the actual granular media is soft or that the media is rounded? Im asking this because the commercial media offered seems to be hard pieces...at least thats the feedback from some people that I have asked who are using the commercial sulfer denitrators.

Do you believe the sulfur I have linked to would be okay to use? Seems to me it would. Also, have you performed any experiments of your own using this method?

TIA,
billpa

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't think you have any control over the hardness of pure sulfur, so I don't expect it is any "softer" than what other folks might be using. I expect it is fine, although fairly expensive.

 

[billpa]

Thanks!

Bill

 

[billpa]

One more question...

When I look up commercial granular sulfur (like Caribsea, etc.) every one states that it comes pre-populated with denitrifying bacteria for faster cycling. How is that possible?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

They may give it a rinse in a liquid that contains bacteria. Whether that has any benefit I cannot say.