DIY Sulfur Denitrator
- Thread starter djfrankie
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djfrankie
In Memoriam
No, I'm using the media from PA, which is the same as the media from midwest.
Is there 10 pounds of media in that one gallon of Caribsea LSM?
Also check out this other thread here in RC by "chicken". There is a link at the very bottom of the thread at this time that is very worthwhile to read.
In summary, a couple of modifications can be made, for example:
Adding Seachem Matrix in addition to the sulfur media.
Controlling / Monitoring the unit using ORP.
Using a separate vessel for the ARM media so the unit does not have to be opened as much.
Pretty good article to read. The more info we can get the better we can make this thing work.
djfrankie.
bored4long
New member
Great writeup! I've been trying to come up with a 3-stage system that would hold the Sulfur, ARM and Carbon in different cannisters. I think I'm going to apply your approach but break it down into 3 smaller pvc cannisters and the pump would pull from stage 3 back to stage 1. Can you think of anything wrong with that?
What pump are you using for recirculating? Do you feel it is too strong, too weak or perfect?
What pump are you using for recirculating? Do you feel it is too strong, too weak or perfect?
klasiksb
Active member
djfrankie, I found the thread you were talking about and it was very helpful. Registered on that site, but haven't recieved an email yet so I can post there, got a few more questions maybe you can answer.
My system size is roughly 200-220gal. HEAVY bio-load. My reactor is 6" OD x 20" tall with a Mag 2 recirculating pump. I have the Caribsea LSM media (1 gal. container) so that gives me about 10" of Sulfur media in the unit.
I'm wondering, since the unit isn't even cycled yet, if I should remove all the media and go with the Matrix/Sulfur combo, or just leave it alone with Sulfur only?
If I do go with the Matrix, any idea how much I should order and how much Sulfur I should use then? Would like to stick with the Sulfur (although probably not the ideal kind) I've got, since i've got it already.
Hope to get me email conformation soon so I can ask some questions there as well.
My system size is roughly 200-220gal. HEAVY bio-load. My reactor is 6" OD x 20" tall with a Mag 2 recirculating pump. I have the Caribsea LSM media (1 gal. container) so that gives me about 10" of Sulfur media in the unit.
I'm wondering, since the unit isn't even cycled yet, if I should remove all the media and go with the Matrix/Sulfur combo, or just leave it alone with Sulfur only?
If I do go with the Matrix, any idea how much I should order and how much Sulfur I should use then? Would like to stick with the Sulfur (although probably not the ideal kind) I've got, since i've got it already.
Hope to get me email conformation soon so I can ask some questions there as well.
djfrankie
In Memoriam
Hi,
I would give it a try with the Seachem Matrix and the media you already have just because it makes sense
The other guy that has experience with the Seachem Matrix recommends 1/3 of the media to go with the Sulfur media. For example, 10" of Sulfur then try 3-4" of Matrix.
The idea behind setting up a separate vessel for the aragonite makes sense. It would be easier to replenish and you wouldn't disrupt the anaerobic nitrate consuming bacteria that are already established in the Sulfur reactor.
I'm glad you guys are willing to experiment with this. I hope we can all benefit from the information being shared here and elsewhere regarding Sulfur denitrators.
HTH,
djfrankie
djfrankie
In Memoriam
My pump (maxijet 1200) is working fine on my system. Remember this is the only pump I had laying around at the time.
I would assume if you want to run three canisters in your setup you would have to use a stronger pump. The pump would definitely have to overcome higher head pressure.
I love Eheim pumps and would problably buy one of them for that 3 canister setup.
HTH,
djfrankie
hankclaussen
New member
Is the carbon in the 3 stage setup to keep the sulfur out of the tank water? How effective is that if so? Finally, I am not sure I understand how a controller could shut the system entirely off unless it was fed by another pump, rather than the main circulatory pump. I might be missing something, but the maxijet is for recirculation, while the tank's main pump supplies the nitrate rich tank water? A controller could shut off a inlet pump and the recirculation pump... A sensor for sulfur exists?
Forgive me for the plethora of questions, and thanks for the help and great build instructions. I want to build one, but am worried about pumping sulfur in my tank.
Forgive me for the plethora of questions, and thanks for the help and great build instructions. I want to build one, but am worried about pumping sulfur in my tank.
djfrankie
In Memoriam
First of all WELCOME to RC!
Check out this thread regarding monitoring / controlling a Sullfur denitrator using an ORP controller.
http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=4537.0
Hydrogen Sulfide is the end product of using Sulfur in a reactor. Sulfur is naturally found in NSW. I believe you need to be more aware and concerned about nitrite, Alk and ph levels out of the effluent side more than anything else.
A great read if you're into the origins of a sulfur denitrator can be found here as well:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1270536
HTH,
djfrankie
bored4long
New member
I thought about adding the carbon stage because another DIY thread used that approach (the thread that is using the RO cannisters).
I read the NJReefers thread last night. An excellent read! I'm definitely going to get an ORP meter now.
But it didn't look like Carlo's approach uses a recirculating pump. What prompted you to use one? How necessary do you think it is?
I read the NJReefers thread last night. An excellent read! I'm definitely going to get an ORP meter now.
But it didn't look like Carlo's approach uses a recirculating pump. What prompted you to use one? How necessary do you think it is?
so this idea takes away from the fun of a DIY project, but couldn't you mod a TLF Phosphate reactor and get something similar? Size would be a factor (too small?) and you'd have to drill a port for de-gassing. A continual loop with an intake and output on either side of the pump would be a pretty easy. Any thoughts?
djfrankie
In Memoriam
For a couple of reasons:
1) Preventing channeling within the media.
2) Preventing air pockets within the media that kills the anaerobic bacteria which we're trying to culture.
It really is not much different from calcium reactors if you think about it. You don't really need to recirculate inside calcium reactors either. It just makes it more efficient because of the reasons explained above.
HTH,
djfrankie
tinysuperbug
New member
Did you do anything special to make the seal between the top flange and cap? Most flanges I've seen have lettering/etc on that surface. Was yours smooth?
P.S. Thanks for taking the time to post up this diy.
djfrankie
In Memoriam
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11646112#post11646112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tinysuperbug
Did you do anything special to make the seal between the top flange and cap? Most flanges I've seen have lettering/etc on that surface. Was yours smooth?
P.S. Thanks for taking the time to post up this diy.
You're absolutely right. The lettering was smoothed out with a dremel.
djfrankie
Excellent!
I was hoping to find something like this (I always seem to need detailed instructions for diy projects, and your's are great)!
Going to head to HD tomorrow and get to work.
I have a question: is there a trick to drilling acrylic without ruining the drill bit in the process? Mine always get gunked up with melted acrylic that I can't get off.
And would an MJ 400 or 900 be too week as the recirc pump?
I have those two lying around.
I was hoping to find something like this (I always seem to need detailed instructions for diy projects, and your's are great)!
Going to head to HD tomorrow and get to work.
I have a question: is there a trick to drilling acrylic without ruining the drill bit in the process? Mine always get gunked up with melted acrylic that I can't get off.
And would an MJ 400 or 900 be too week as the recirc pump?
I have those two lying around.
djfrankie
In Memoriam
Start drilling with a 1/8" drill bit as a pilot drill, then go to the 1/4".
I use unibits and they leave a really nice cut.
Use the 900 if you got it. If it's too weak just buy the 1200 and mount it on the same impeller housing. They use the same housing, but it should be ok.
HTH,
djfrankie
zachtos
Active member
I have started construction of a Sulfur Denitrator using this same design posted by the operator. I made a few minor changes, but will post photos and results as I near completion.
A few things I altered:
*Using a mag3 instead of a maxijet
*Ordered my sulfur 99.9% media from bghyrdro.com to save money
*created the media strainer disk using a flat 4" insert PVC endcap... I cut off the ridges w/ a dremel bit, and then perforated it quickly and easily w/ a 1/8" drill bit. PVC doesn't melt/crack easily like Acrylic, and it was cheap.
*Used 4" female adapters with male threaded 4" plugs on both ends... so much easier then worrying about 'gaskets' 'flanges' and what not. Cost less too.
I would say the grand total for this project has came to about: $175.
*** They do sell 6" PVC at menards, but all the fittings and pipe are so very expensive that it's cheaper to make dual 4" units probably, I may upgrade to a 6" unit in the future, but I only have about 5-10ppm nitrates holding fairly steadily... I just want to be able to feed the tank more often again, my skimmer is as fully modded/upgraded as possible, I have a RDSB (55G) and 2 refugiums (75/50G) on my 500G water volume system and still need more denitrating!
A few things I altered:
*Using a mag3 instead of a maxijet
*Ordered my sulfur 99.9% media from bghyrdro.com to save money
*created the media strainer disk using a flat 4" insert PVC endcap... I cut off the ridges w/ a dremel bit, and then perforated it quickly and easily w/ a 1/8" drill bit. PVC doesn't melt/crack easily like Acrylic, and it was cheap.
*Used 4" female adapters with male threaded 4" plugs on both ends... so much easier then worrying about 'gaskets' 'flanges' and what not. Cost less too.
I would say the grand total for this project has came to about: $175.
*** They do sell 6" PVC at menards, but all the fittings and pipe are so very expensive that it's cheaper to make dual 4" units probably, I may upgrade to a 6" unit in the future, but I only have about 5-10ppm nitrates holding fairly steadily... I just want to be able to feed the tank more often again, my skimmer is as fully modded/upgraded as possible, I have a RDSB (55G) and 2 refugiums (75/50G) on my 500G water volume system and still need more denitrating!
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