DIY Sulfur Denitrator

[saltydog64]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11915535#post11915535 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU
Here is a pic of the denitrator:

<a href="http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/novak_psu/reef/?action=view&current=P1010060.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/novak_psu/reef/P1010060.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Paul- Good looking repair, now you are not using any ARM in the sulfur reactor, right, just in your separate reactor, why I ask is I copied u and went that way. I wonder if u would post pH readings coming out of the Sulfur reactor on a day by day basis ??(Before effuent goes into the ARM reactor), I "think" it holds a clue to as the progress in the sulfur reactor, I'm logging mine daily but need to compare with another...Data is a good thing to have and to share.....OK!!!!

Dick

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11915486#post11915486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU
Ok Frankie! Up and running. I just rebuilt it from scratch with the closed top. The closed top is easier, but I must admit I need to see whats going on inside so I will probably make an acrylic one way down the road after this one gets working steady. I am going to take a pic and put it up. I got the chem clean today and put 1 dose in the tank. I turned off the carbon reactor but forgot to turn off the skimmer and the cup almost overflowed :eek2:
I killed 80% of the cyano with the 3 day blackout so hopefully this will wipe it out. I do have a few little tufts of green algae that sprung up. I wil try and get a couple of pictures of it also.

Paul

It looks good!

I looked at the clear PVC from the get go and it wasn't cost efficient for me. This clear pvc pipe will accept regular sch 40 fittings for anyone that wants to give it a shot.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/va...ory_name=54&product_id=16628&variant_id=34111

I'm working in making a new calcium reactor and will finish it up within the next couple of weeks, but that will be another thread

djfrankie

 

[IBASSFSH]

Recirc pump

Recirc pump

Steve 926 both the supply and recirc pump are Maxi-Jet 1200's. I use on for each.

 

[IBASSFSH]

Sulpher beads

Sulpher beads

Paul here is the link to the sulphur balls, but I don't see were if at all it says pre-seeded. It does say it acts as a food source for the bacteria.
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/4912/cid/1387

 

[IBASSFSH]

Todays Test results

Todays Test results

Here are todays test results out of the Nitrate reactor. Approx. 46 hours after initial set up.

Yesterdays test results:

 

[Paul_PSU]

Dick - Yes I will definately post some results (ph and nitrates)
and the ARM is in the second chamber with Matrix and
sulphur in the denitrator.

Frankie - I agree on the cost, but I figured if this works that
well and I am going to use it long term I have about
three people up here that will go in on it with me. I just
hate that it's always 10'minimum even if they cut it. I
did find some acrylic tubes here in 6' http://www.rplastics.com/acrylictube.html

IBASSFISH - nice results. My tank prior to denitrator looks like
the bottom picture.
The sulphur from premium aquatics (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...Product_Code=MA-HPS35&Category_Code=denitrate) says in the description " pre-populated with nitrate reducing bacteria is the right choice for any DIY denitrator project!" That would just affect the time for it to kick in, but if yours is already working then it probably is also.

 

[42un81]

Has anyone tried this mixture of sulphur and aragonite from caribsea?
Do you think the sulphur in this mixture would stand a better chance of not breaking down?

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11918421#post11918421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 42un81
Has anyone tried this mixture of sulphur and aragonite from caribsea?
Do you think the sulphur in this mixture would stand a better chance of not breaking down?

I don't know about Caribsea's media, but pa or midwestaquatic's media doesn't break down.

Maybe, the guys that are using it can chime in?

djfrankie

 

[adnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11918421#post11918421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 42un81
Has anyone tried this mixture of sulphur and aragonite from caribsea?
Do you think the sulphur in this mixture would stand a better chance of not breaking down?

My LFS sells it, and he wouldn't sell anything he didnt believe in. One of my RC members used it maybe he'll chime in..

 

[adnup]

Re: Sulpher beads

Re: Sulpher beads

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11916300#post11916300 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IBASSFSH
Paul here is the link to the sulphur balls, but I don't see were if at all it says pre-seeded. It does say it acts as a food source for the bacteria.
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/4912/cid/1387

I'm making one just like the Schuran but it is 6" x 15". Do you guys think the eheim 1250 will be enough for that size reactor?

 

[Steven M]

I use the Caribsea's media and it works.

 

[bawla47]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11917379#post11917379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU


Frankie - I agree on the cost, but I figured if this works that
well and I am going to use it long term I have about
three people up here that will go in on it with me. I just
hate that it's always 10'minimum even if they cut it. I
did find some acrylic tubes here in 6' http://www.rplastics.com/acrylictube.html

im not sure if you know, but if you go with the acrylic tube, its going to run smaller then the rest of the pvc parts. i went this same route, and i ended up having to make the whole thing custom.

if you want to go the easiet route tho not the cheapest, get 4" clear pvc.

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11921685#post11921685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bawla47
im not sure if you know, but if you go with the acrylic tube, its going to run smaller then the rest of the pvc parts. i went this same route, and i ended up having to make the whole thing custom.

if you want to go the easiet route tho not the cheapest, get 4" clear pvc.

It's clear pvc pipe I'm talking about not acrylic. Check out the link!

HTH,
djfrankie

 

[EnderG60]

If you want to use acrylic you need to get one size up for it to fit PVC fittings

SO...If you have 3" PVC parts you need 3.5" OD acrylic pipe, and if you have 4" PVC you need 4.5" OD acrylic pipe.

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11921884#post11921884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnderG60
If you want to use acrylic you need to get one size up for it to fit PVC fittings

SO...If you have 3" PVC parts you need 3.5" OD acrylic pipe, and if you have 4" PVC you need 4.5" OD acrylic pipe.

That's assuming the acrylic thickness is 1/4" .

djfrankie

 

[Paul_PSU]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11920640#post11920640 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steven M
I use the Caribsea's media and it works.

Steven,
nice job on the denitrator! Thats what I want mine to look like.
did you get the cleaer pipe online or local?

Frankie - I agree on the thickness. I called some places and they are either 1/8 or 1/4. where as the clear pvc sites state that they fit sch 40 fittings.

My neighbor is plumber/HVAC and owns his own business so he is going to chekc and see what he can get from the local supply companies and he gets the wholsale prices also so we will see.

Paul

 

[saltydog64]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11920640#post11920640 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steven M
I use the Caribsea's media and it works.

Steven, Great looking job. Are you running discharge from the reactor into your CA-Reactor?? and for how long has it been up and running and what are the tank test results before and during.

Keep us up to date on results please. I am using the Caribsea LSM media (on top of 9" of Matrix) then into separate ARM reactor, setup much like Paul's here, and as my unit is PVC and NOT clear I DON'T know the condition of the sulfur. I'll soon post some test results as it has only been up and running for 48 Hr. @ a drip rate that results in about 60cc in 10 minutes. Too slow? too fast?? I just don't know as my tubing is 1/4"(ID 1/8") vs what most have used 3/8"(1/4"ID) so my drip rate (a drop/sec.) would not be the same...:eek1: Any and all coments good or bad are appreciated !!!

Dick

 

[Steven M]

Thanks, The tube is not round. I bent a flat sheet with a heat strip. Stared Oct Nitrate at 10-15, went to 1 after 2 months. My web site has more pics.

 

[reefrubble]

Steven , great job . I like it . I think I'm going to build one as well . Ted

 

[reefrubble]

adnup , I think the Eheim 1250 will do the job . Ted