DIY Sulfur Denitrator

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Lots of questions since I've been gone. I'll do my best to answer all of them to the best of my ability.

First a little update on this thing with a video that shows my flow rate.

Here's the video. It's about 10 seconds long and it shows how much flow I have through my reactor.

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f...lfur Reacto/?action=view&current=MVI_0464.flv

This is my first video so bear with me. If anyone knows how to resize it so it downloads faster let me know.

These two following pics show how I measure my effluent and nitrites coming out. This is my flow per minute.

<a href="http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/dj_frankie/Modified%20Sulfur%20Reacto/?action=view&current=IMG_0461.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/dj_frankie/Modified%20Sulfur%20Reacto/IMG_0461.jpg" border="0" alt="Readings 03/02/2008"></a>

<a href="http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/dj_frankie/Modified%20Sulfur%20Reacto/?action=view&current=IMG_0462.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/dj_frankie/Modified%20Sulfur%20Reacto/IMG_0462.jpg" border="0" alt="Readings 03/02/2008"></a>

djfrankie
 
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Paul:

Great to see your effluent reading are at zero now. You can increase the dps (drops per second) now to 2 per second. Wait 3 days and test. If zero then, increase to 3 dps. You have to let the reactor (bacteria) catch up with higher incoming nitrate flow. There will come a time when counting bubbles gets old. So, I'd suggest to use something to measure your effluent rate now and take it from there.

Andy:

Feel free to call me. A month and still showing high nitrate readings do not make sense. Is your test kit good?

1scienceguy:

Here is the formula of the process right out Randy's article which I posted on page 14 of this thread:

2 H2O + 5 S + 6 NO3- à 3 N2 + 5 SO4-- + 4 H+

A here's a very interesting article that you might find interesting regarding Sulfur/Sulfide in the aquarium. It would be beneficial to anyone to read this article

http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/nutrient/sulfint.shtml

I also read the link you provided in page 16 regarding coil denitrators. Let's stick to Sulfur reactors on this thread please.

Steve

1/2 Liter will be more than sufficient to get that 50 gallon going. The phosban reactors sound like a good idea if you already have them. No need to recirculate the ARM media in that second reactor. You can also use the Eheim in the reactor as long as the media doesn't start fluidizing in there and cause small particles to break off and clog them pump. To be on the safe side use gate valve on the output side of the Eheim.

Khoivo1:

Most people seem to experience the complete opposite with Alk dropping as a result.

Hahnmeister:

When my nitrates came down my toadstool leather completely molted and went into recession for about a week. Now it's looking better than ever!
I'm sure if had nothing to do with the rapid reduction of nitrate levels, but it could have something to do with the increased level of sulfur in the water. To be honest, I really don't know, but it's what happened to me. I also remembered reading somewhere else about the same thing. BTW, it is the only thing in my tank that let me know about the change.
I always like to err on the side of caution nevertheless.

Melev:

Paul is using the same reactor I'm using.

Konadog

3.5 liters of the media will be fine for your system. The Eheim should work fine. I actually prefer it over the Maxijets. They're just more expensive and the Maxijet works just fine for this reactor. I wish I had kept the box for the filter media so I can get you the part number Any coarse filter media would be OK to use. I picked these up from Big Al's. I have also seen them at Petco, Petsmart and many other local lFS. Also, the filter pad that 1scienceguy suggested should work out the same. The idea here is to save money ;)

One last note:

The only time you will get nitrites out of your reactor is when it is cycling.

Keep and eye on this :

If you see gas out of your degassing valve your unit is cycling. Give it time to cycle!

I have also noticed that most people taking longer to cycle their units are the ones using Caribsea's LSM media. This is just an observation.

Hope I answered everyone's questions here.

Have fun!

djfrankie
 
The silicone took after all, and the leak is no more.

I have a problem with the input, though.
I'm using an aqualifter pump, and it's hooked to what I believe to be the correct input (the one on the mj pump plumbing).
Not sure if it's the pressure of the mj pulling the water through the plumbing, and the aqualifter is not strong enough to input water against that, but that's seems to be what's happening.
Can I switch the input and output lines without problems?

Or should I drill another input slightly below the output into the wall of the reactor and close off the original input?
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11992795#post11992795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
The silicone took after all, and the leak is no more.

I have a problem with the input, though.
I'm using an aqualifter pump, and it's hooked to what I believe to be the correct input (the one on the mj pump plumbing).
Not sure if it's the pressure of the mj pulling the water through the plumbing, and the aqualifter is not strong enough to input water against that, but that's seems to be what's happening.
Can I switch the input and output lines without problems?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can. How long is the hose run from the aqualifter to the reactor?

djfrankie
 
About 3 feet to "in" on the aqualifter, and two from "out" to the reactor.
The only problem I see is, that the water level might get below the intake of the mj when I'm running it fully open for the flushing phase.
The pressure of the mj shoots out the water faster than the aqualifter can keep up with when I switch out in/output.

I almost want to use the valve in the lid as input, but then I wouldn't be able to gegass the unit if needed.

BTW, what *should* the water level in the reactor be? All the way to the top? Just above the mj intake? Somewhere else?
And how tightly do you stuff the top sponge down on top of the media?
Without a sponge on top, the media (sulfur and some matrix) floats around a bit and gets pulled into the mj intake.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11993086#post11993086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
About 3 feet to "in" on the aqualifter, and two from "out" to the reactor.
The only problem I see is, that the water level might get below the intake of the mj when I'm running it fully open for the flushing phase.
The pressure of the mj shoots out the water faster than the aqualifter can keep up with when I switch out in/output.

I almost want to use the valve in the lid as input, but then I wouldn't be able to gegass the unit if needed.

BTW, what *should* the water level in the reactor be? All the way to the top? Just above the mj intake? Somewhere else?
And how tightly do you stuff the top sponge down on top of the media?
Without a sponge on top, the media (sulfur and some matrix) floats around a bit and gets pulled into the mj intake.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to understand this a bit.

The reactor should be filled completely and the top valve should be used for degassing. This is where the gases will accumulate.

The water out should equal water in when fully opened.

Check to make sure the bottom plate is not restricted somehow or a restriction on the bottom elbow. A restriction in that line could cause more water to come out of the valve, hence your water level going down inside the reactor.

Please post a pic of your setup as well.

Also, how tall is the reactor.

Thanks,
djfrankie
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11993086#post11993086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
About 3 feet to "in" on the aqualifter, and two from "out" to the reactor.
The only problem I see is, that the water level might get below the intake of the mj when I'm running it fully open for the flushing phase.
The pressure of the mj shoots out the water faster than the aqualifter can keep up with when I switch out in/output.

I almost want to use the valve in the lid as input, but then I wouldn't be able to gegass the unit if needed.

BTW, what *should* the water level in the reactor be? All the way to the top? Just above the mj intake? Somewhere else?
And how tightly do you stuff the top sponge down on top of the media?
Without a sponge on top, the media (sulfur and some matrix) floats around a bit and gets pulled into the mj intake.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to understand this a bit.

The reactor should be filled completely and the top valve should be used for degassing. This is where the gases will accumulate.

The water out should equal water in when fully opened.

Check to make sure the bottom plate is not restricted somehow or a restriction on the bottom elbow. A restriction in that line could cause more water to come out of the valve, hence your water level going down inside the reactor.

Please post a pic of your setup as well.

Also, how tall is the reactor.

Thanks,
djfrankie
 
It's 2 feet tall.
Will take a picture tomorrow.

So, after adding the media and closing the lid, should I open the degassing valve, close the output and run the aqualifter until water comes out of the degassing valve to be sure the reactor is filled?
Then close that and open the output?
And turn on the MJ, of course.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11991894#post11991894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djfrankie
Konadog

3.5 liters of the media will be fine for your system. The Eheim should work fine. I actually prefer it over the Maxijets. They're just more expensive and the Maxijet works just fine for this reactor. I wish I had kept the box for the filter media so I can get you the part number Any coarse filter media would be OK to use. I picked these up from Big Al's. I have also seen them at Petco, Petsmart and many other local lFS. Also, the filter pad that 1scienceguy suggested should work out the same. The idea here is to save money ;)
Click to expand...
OK, you say here 3.5 Liters, but in other places in the thread we talk about pounds. I have the Caribsea's LSM media (one gallon) and am trying to figure out if I'm using less than 1/2 of it, or if I need 1/2 more of a second container.

Your video gives a great view of the effluent flow rate, I was asking about the recirculating flow rate but think I'm ok with the Eheim. I have an old maxi jet, but prefer to spend the money on a new Eheim so I don't ever have to worry :)

I also have a phosban reactor that I think I am going to use to put the calcium media in, that way I don't have to open the reactor to look.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11993782#post11993782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
It's 2 feet tall.
Will take a picture tomorrow.

So, after adding the media and closing the lid, should I open the degassing valve, close the output and run the aqualifter until water comes out of the degassing valve to be sure the reactor is filled?
Then close that and open the output?
And turn on the MJ, of course.
Click to expand...

Yes.

djfrankie
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11993848#post11993848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
OK, you say here 3.5 Liters, but in other places in the thread we talk about pounds. I have the Caribsea's LSM media (one gallon) and am trying to figure out if I'm using less than 1/2 of it, or if I need 1/2 more of a second container.

Your video gives a great view of the effluent flow rate, I was asking about the recirculating flow rate but think I'm ok with the Eheim. I have an old maxi jet, but prefer to spend the money on a new Eheim so I don't ever have to worry :)

I also have a phosban reactor that I think I am going to use to put the calcium media in, that way I don't have to open the reactor to look.
Click to expand...

Konadog,

I believe someone posted a while back the gallon from Caribsea LSM was equivalent to the 3.5 liters. I will call them tomorrow and find out for sure how many liters come in that container.

If someone has that info please post it.

You can also use the Eheim in the reactor as long as the media doesn't start fluidizing in there and cause small particles to break off and clog them pump. To be on the safe side use gate valve on the output side of the Eheim.

HTH,
djfrankie
 
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That's one of the reasons I was wondering if the smaller Eheim 1048 rated for 160gph would work, or if the flow needed to be closer to 300gph. A gate valve would take care of everything with the bigger pump.

I didn't see anything in this thread about how much Caribsea to use, I looked a few times. LMK what you find out and thanks!
 
Thanks Steve.
I wonder if the size difference makes any difference in what pump is used. As long as there is flow within the reactor, its all good. It's not a fluidized reactor, we just need flow.
 
The Midwest unit use's a 5" x 12" cast acrylic tube for the media chamber only. Looking at it's design it utilizes the Ehiem for everything (rec, feed, discharge) so I think that 160 gph would work well in a narrower 4" chamber.

djfrankie 's design is a great alternative to the $$$ of the Midwest unit for the same results. THANK YOU dj. :D

Steve

:smokin:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11993086#post11993086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
About 3 feet to "in" on the aqualifter, and two from "out" to the reactor.
Click to expand...

The Aqualifter has a limit of how much it can pull and push. The total is 30" according to the instructions, which means 15" in and 15" out.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11995205#post11995205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steve 926
Looking at it's design it utilizes the Ehiem for everything (rec, feed, discharge) so I think that 160 gph would work well in a narrower 4" chamber.
Steve

:smokin:
Click to expand...

Well, it really doesn't self feed unless you gravity feed from the top of the aquarium. My design can be used in this way as well. I would just be careful and have it so it draws water from an overflow box instead of from the main tank in order to avoid your sump from overflowing. This is assuming your sump can handle the extra water level.

This is directly from the manual of the midwest unit.

The DeNITRIFIER is primarily gravity fed. If the inflow for the DeNITRIFIER is to be placed
below the unit, a supplemental Aqua Lifer® pump will be required (sold separately).

HTH,
djfrankie
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11995710#post11995710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
The Aqualifter has a limit of how much it can pull and push. The total is 30" according to the instructions, which means 15" in and 15" out.
Click to expand...

Good catch!

Thanks,
djfrankie
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11994934#post11994934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog
As long as there is flow within the reactor, its all good. It's not a fluidized reactor, we just need flow.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

djfrankie
 
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