DIY Sulfur Denitrator

[DarthBaiter]

Here's my contribution...

Parts...

PVC cut and dry fitted...

I'll cut the acrylic sheet and the tube later.

 

[djfrankie]

Love the schedule 80 pvc, but just wish they had those JG valves in the same color as well.

djfrankie

 

[saltydog64]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12074478#post12074478 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djfrankie
This thread is alive and well. Most people are having no issues hence no need to post. Some people rather send me a PM. I get almost daily PM's with questions

The ones you will hear about are the one that are still having issues and I and others will keep an eye on this thread and try to help them out.

You will see a few people come back in about 2 months or so not knowing what to do now once their tanks have reached zero nitrates and they're getting that dreaded sulfide smell inside their houses.

So we'll talk about it when they cross that bridge

djfrankie

dj,

Good.............Your reply was appreciated...How to ask this ?? You mentioned PM's, I understand this, but you said the ones we hear about are the ones having issues...did you mean you would post those issues or would they??? I ask because what you might not think is an issue someone else might...Now don't get the idea I or anyone else is trying to hijack or take over this VERY good thread as this is not my intent for sure. It's just that ALL info should be shared and COULD help someone avoid a potental disaster as this is still an expermental method as I know you are aware of.

So first, thank you for all your time and effort invested in this project and keep it up. On issues at least one person (name not to be mentioned, after all it would not a PM would it) had an issue with cloudyness in the tank after starting up AND he or she had just prior dosed with a carbon source, now I would to ask you if you dealt with that in a PM (without releasing any personel ID of course as it was a PM) and secondly.........no that's it for now.

Once again thanks of a great post...

Dick

 

[zachtos]

Well, I have added a mini sulfur denitrator to my 10G nano system. The hope is that I can see if it's possible to keep nitrates to 0ppm in the nano and keep some SPS in my primary lit LED tank.

Simple design, sulphur pellets in a 16oz bottle w/ some calcium media mixed in. about 8 oz of sulfur for 10 gallons of water. I stuffed a piece of foam in the bottom of the bottle to keep the flow from channeling as badly. I simply superglued some airline nozzles into the bottle and one into the return pump line (mj1200) on the nano. The water feeds into the bottom and slowly drips out of the top into my 5 gallon pail sump. Not very glamourous, but it cost me $18 to build (bought sulfur from bghydro.com again)

 

[Paul_PSU]

Dick,
sorry it took so long to reply.....damn work and life keeps getting in the way . You are correct in that I didn't smell anything in my ARM reactor. I just said that it seemed like something died in there cause the Nitrates were so high. I still don't have a Nitrite test, none of the local stores have it. I have one excellent store and the rest are the POS chains. I usually go to the one place for anything I need quickly, other than that I order online. It's a family owned business and I have been going to them for years for fish. Their prices are high, but their livestock is exceptional and worth the extra $ and they never tried to make me buy anyting I didn't need and actually talked me out of wasting money when I started. Trouble is there equipment and other products are also very high. I just ordered the Nitrite kit off of MD so should have it soon. I haven't had the time to fix the ARM reactor yet. I have it offline and the effluent from the SR dripping in a cup of ARM with some holes in the bottom on my sump. Frankie was right in that I should not have controlled the flow after the ARM reactor. I am taking the top off of the ARM reactor like he suggested and put the ARM output on the side at the top. My effluents from my SR are between 0-5 so the tank should cycle through the reactor and that should start to drop also. Hopefully the tank will come do in the next week.

Paul

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12078696#post12078696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltydog64
dj,

Good.............Your reply was appreciated...How to ask this ?? You mentioned PM's, I understand this, but you said the ones we hear about are the ones having issues...did you mean you would post those issues or would they??? I ask because what you might not think is an issue someone else might...Now don't get the idea I or anyone else is trying to hijack or take over this VERY good thread as this is not my intent for sure. It's just that ALL info should be shared and COULD help someone avoid a potential disaster as this is still an experimental method as I know you are aware of.

So first, thank you for all your time and effort invested in this project and keep it up. On issues at least one person (name not to be mentioned, after all it would not a PM would it) had an issue with cloudiness in the tank after starting up AND he or she had just prior dosed with a carbon source, now I would to ask you if you dealt with that in a PM (without releasing any personnel ID of course as it was a PM) and secondly.........no that's it for now.

Once again thanks of a great post...

Dick

Appreciate your comments!

Saltydog...let's see how I can put this the best that I can without offending anyone in the process.

The idea becomes experimental when people deviate from the norms.

This system has been tried by many before us with very good success for over 10 years in the reef aquaria alone. Before that it was being used in potable water purification methods.

When you think about it, there's really nothing to it. In a nutshell it is 100 times easier than building and dialing a DIY skimmer.

I've spent countless hours doing research regarding this and reading online as much as I could regarding this simple device and I've pretty much posted all the info here for everyone else to read and learn as well.

I've analyzed every single sulfur denitrator out there made by every major manufacturer and put out this design that it's really inexpensive to make for any of us DIYers at home with basic tools.

I've could have made this out of expensive cast acrylic and incorporated a much better pump into it with fancy sched 80 pvc and unions, but it would've taken the price of this overboard.

My intention was to help those who were having issues with nitrate take care of it as simple, effective and affordable as possible within reason. And as I said from the beginning if this helps one person then I would be happy. I believe I have accomplished that many times over.

The guidelines that I posted a while back should not be taking lightly and following them would make or break your patience really quick. It should also get anyone going with minimum effort and I've noticed people who have followed them are happier and are seeing results as we speak.

Now to answer that last question:
To the best of my recollection there was someone having issues with cloudiness in their tank, but it was due to calcium precipitation and had nothing to do with this.

I check this thread on a nightly basis and try to answer most question as best that I can. If you don't see me answer some questions is basically because I don't know the answer.

I appreciate you're also trying to help and would like to encourage you to continue doing so. I'm a pretty busy guy with 4 kids to take care of. I work midnights and dj on most weekends. So you will most likely see me prowling the forum in the middle of the night

Sorry if I vented a little too much this morning

djfrankie

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12078769#post12078769 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU
My effluents from my SR are between 0-5 so the tank should cycle through the reactor and that should start to drop also. Hopefully the tank will come do in the next week.

Paul

Paul, wait till you see ZERO before proceeding to adjust the DPS.

Good luck!

djfrankie

 

[Paul_PSU]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12078965#post12078965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djfrankie
Paul, wait till you see ZERO before proceeding to adjust the DPS.

Good luck!

djfrankie

Got it! I aint touchin' it....

On a non-reef related subject; I watched the movie The Mist.....Man that is a messed up movie....Mr. King has some issues

Paul

 

[saltydog64]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12078928#post12078928 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djfrankie
Appreciate your comments!

Saltydog...let's see how I can put this the best that I can without offending anyone in the process.

The idea becomes experimental when people deviate from the norms.

This system has been tried by many before us with very good success for over 10 years in the reef aquaria alone. Before that it was being used in potable water purification methods.

When you think about it, there's really nothing to it. In a nutshell it is 100 times easier than building and dialing a DIY skimmer.

I've spent countless hours doing research regarding this and reading online as much as I could regarding this simple device and I've pretty much posted all the info here for everyone else to read and learn as well.

I've analyzed every single sulfur denitrator out there made by every major manufacturer and put out this design that it's really inexpensive to make for any of us DIYers at home with basic tools.

I've could have made this out of expensive cast acrylic and incorporated a much better pump into it with fancy sched 80 pvc and unions, but it would've taken the price of this overboard.

My intention was to help those who were having issues with nitrate take care of it as simple, effective and affordable as possible within reason. And as I said from the beginning if this helps one person then I would be happy. I believe I have accomplished that many times over.

The guidelines that I posted a while back should not be taking lightly and following them would make or break your patience really quick. It should also get anyone going with minimum effort and I've noticed people who have followed them are happier and are seeing results as we speak.

Now to answer that last question:
To the best of my recollection there was someone having issues with cloudiness in their tank, but it was due to calcium precipitation and had nothing to do with this.

I check this thread on a nightly basis and try to answer most question as best that I can. If you don't see me answer some questions is basically because I don't know the answer.

I appreciate you're also trying to help and would like to encourage you to continue doing so. I'm a pretty busy guy with 4 kids to take care of. I work midnights and dj on most weekends. So you will most likely see me prowling the forum in the middle of the night

Sorry if I vented a little too much this morning

djfrankie

dj,

Well put and see......... I knew you put a lot of time in on this and we all appreciate it.... and VENTING is allowed :lol: :lol:

Dick

 

[Black71gp]

mine is a little different I had the tube so i figured i woudl use it. I am actually leaving out of town for a week so I am going to wait untill i get home to start this thing up.. but this is how it looks right now...

Nitrates are between 50-75 on my tank.. so we shall see how this works...

 

[Paul_PSU]

Black71gp,
Very nice work!

Paul

 

[Black71gp]

thanks.. now just hope it works!!!!!!!!

 

[saltydog64]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12081879#post12081879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Black71gp
thanks.. now just hope it works!!!!!!!!

Black71gp,

Nice looking job and have save trip and good luck starting this up.

A quick ??? That looks like "strong" pump, for the lack of a better term...you might what to have some way to control the internal flow as I think you might get more stirring up of the media(s) than you want, but with the clear body you will see that I guess. I also used the Matrix and until it's soaked real good it has a tendency to float so you might to fill it some of your water and let "soak for a day before starting up. Also I see your not using a foam in there.....the LSM your using WILL float and could cause problems so you might what to add a "tight fitting" foam on top of the LSM to keep it in place. Just a thought... Once again GOOD LUCK.

Dick

 

[Black71gp]

ya i figured i needed some foam.. just gotta go pick some up... its a mag 3 on the recirc side.....

 

[lobstergrabber]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12031675#post12031675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djfrankie
Hydrogen Sulfide and the Reef Aquarium

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-12/rhf/index.php

Make sure you size the media accordingly so you don't run into any issues from HS production once your tank's nitrates are zero.

Here are a couple of things you can do to minimize some of the HS from going into the tank as well:

These are taken straight from the article by Randy.

(1) Maximize aeration. A high oxygen level drives hydrogen sulfide oxidation, and high aeration will drive some off as volatile H2S gas.

(2) Pass the water over iron oxide/hydroxide (GFO) to convert hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur.

Check out page 14 for guidelines.

I believe this hasn't been brought up here in this thread before so thanks!

HTH,
djfrankie

First off Frankie thank you for this DIY. I have spent the last two days reading this thread start to finish and I would have to say I learned a lot and am very seriously thinking of trying this out. My question stems from the quote above.

Has anyone thought of or tried running the effluent directly into the skimmer to help with the off gassing of possible hydrogen sulfide? With the comment of "maximum aeration" I would think this might be a viable solution but I really have no idea how it would effect the skimmer.

Rich

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12086558#post12086558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lobstergrabber
First off Frankie thank you for this DIY. I have spent the last two days reading this thread start to finish and I would have to say I learned a lot and am very seriously thinking of trying this out. My question stems from the quote above.

Has anyone thought of or tried running the effluent directly into the skimmer to help with the off gassing of possible hydrogen sulfide? With the comment of "maximum aeration" I would think this might be a viable solution but I really have no idea how it would effect the skimmer.

Rich

Thanks!

According to all I've read there's no evidence that hydrogen sulfide will affect skimmer effiency as long as you don't disturb the skimmate column when dripping I think it should be ok.

I would just drip near the area where your skimmer sits in the sump.

I'm using an external skimmer and there is really no way for me to drip inside the skimmer since I feed it from one of my overflows in the tank.

I'm dripping directly into the sump where I have some chaeto and LR in there. There's about 1100 gph flowing thru there. I don't know if it's the extra Co2 or what, but ever since I started dripping there my chaeto has really taken off.?? I'm thinking about turning the sump into a macroalgae tank like this one here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1232393

I will eventually start running my effluent into a cup full of GFO which turns it into elemental sulfur naturally found in NSW, per Randy's suggestion, but for now I haven't found the need to do so.

I'm a proponent of simplicity. Sometimes less is better

HTH,
djfrankie

BTW, cute baby!

 

[lobstergrabber]

I believe in the less is better philosophy myself, though you would never guess it if you had seen all the equipment I have. I have never really dosed anything to my tank at all and have been able to maintain a stable balance. I am going to build a kalk reactor this week and hook that up to my ATO. I was just thinking about your project here to see what it would do for sps colors.

When I was talking about putting the effluent into the skimmer I was actually thinking of drilling and tapping a JG fitting into the bottom of the skimmer and getting it in the base of the mixing chamber. Running it through the gac like RHF said might be an idea but at what point does elemental sulfur become toxic? Is this something that will build up over time or something that will go away with water changes.

Rich

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12086853#post12086853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lobstergrabber
I believe in the less is better philosophy myself, though you would never guess it if you had seen all the equipment I have. I have never really dosed anything to my tank at all and have been able to maintain a stable balance. I am going to build a kalk reactor this week and hook that up to my ATO. I was just thinking about your project here to see what it would do for sps colors.

When I was talking about putting the effluent into the skimmer I was actually thinking of drilling and tapping a JG fitting into the bottom of the skimmer and getting it in the base of the mixing chamber. Running it through the gac like RHF said might be an idea but at what point does elemental sulfur become toxic? Is this something that will build up over time or something that will go away with water changes.

Rich

I see a problem with your intentions of tapping into the skimmer. How would you regulate and know how many drops your effluent is dripping?

Hmm, good question. Elemental sulfur is naturally found in sea water. However, logically speaking, I would assume even natural found elements at greater than natural concentrations would be toxic or detrimental to the well being of inhabitants.

Maybe something we can bring up to Randy's attention?

djfrankie

 

[djfrankie]

A little something I found regarding sea water composition:

http://www.seafriends.org.nz/oceano/seawater.htm

djfrankie

 

[lobstergrabber]

Well as far as the drops per minute I would set it up in a bucket to flush and cycle like so many others have done then set up dripping into sump until nitrates start to fall and then plug into skimmer. I would check the drip rate from time to time just to make sure nothing changes. It was just an idea anyway to see if there might be some sort of benefit.

Rich