DIY Sulfur Denitrator
- Thread starter djfrankie
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wizsmaster
Moved On
I tested tonight. Running the reactor on wide open powered by a Tom AquaLifter. Not sure on how much flow, i will measure tomorrow.
Tanks nitrates are @ about 5-7 PPM, and effluent is 0.
Tanks nitrates are @ about 5-7 PPM, and effluent is 0.
1scienceguy
New member
Close to 25 years ago, a wise store owner explained to me that algae grows because of an imbalance between three components: 1. phosphate, 2. nitrate, and 3. lighting. It is conceivable that a tank can have different combinations of those three and still be a successful, healthy, and vibrant reef tank.
djfrankie, in the beginning you said to drill your holes with a 5/8' Forstner bit and even show the package. I found that to be to small and had to use a 7/8' bit. Was that a typo, or is my 1/2' pipe different than your 1/2' pipe?
It doesn't matter as long as it fits, but thought I would ask.
It doesn't matter as long as it fits, but thought I would ask.
rolyguy7
Member
Main reason I decided to go with the denitrator was because I was experiencing some STN in my tank. I've lost numerous SPS and all water parameters for the exception of nitrates were where they needed to be. I've had some friends and have read a few threads claiming nitrates as the culprit for STN so I figured I'd do something to lower my nitrates and see if that would stop STN in my tank. So far I don't know if it has helped since I'm still dialing in the denitrator. My tanks nitrates have usually been in the 35-40 ppm and still are. I'm hoping lowering the nitrates will stop STN in my tank. Here are my parameters in case anyone is wondering and would like to chime in.
PH 8.0
Alk 4.0
Calcium 430ppm
Magnesium 1360ppm
nitrite 0 ppm
ammonia 0 ppm
Phosphates 0 ppm
Thanks...
PH 8.0
Alk 4.0
Calcium 430ppm
Magnesium 1360ppm
nitrite 0 ppm
ammonia 0 ppm
Phosphates 0 ppm
Thanks...
djfrankie
In Memoriam
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12341589#post12341589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Horace
Im not going to say anything other than this tank has upwards 50ppm nitrate. The picture speaks for itself. You can draw your own conclusion on the effect of nitrate.....
Hmmm....you forgot to mention a couple of facts:
1. Tank doesn't belong to you. It belongs to J.prostrata
2. Tank is a full blown Zeo system.
3. It is normal for low nutrient level system like Zeovit, Prodibio, Reefplenish and Polyp Lab to want to have a higher than normal 5-20 ppm in nitrates to kind of give their coral a little more deeper colors. However, most people don't run full blown Zeo systems like the one you have posted above. Head over to the Zeovit forums and you'll find lots of discussion on the issue.
So my question to you boils down to this:
Why are you reading this thread if nitrates to YOU are not an issue?
djfrankie
sfsuphysics
Active member
Kurt: While the picture is indeed fabulous, I think you're aiming at a point that most people here might be as well. There are many factors into what makes a good/bad tank, so having higher than norm nitrates might be ok, the other side is having no-nitrates won't be the magic bullet either. In the same way you can't magically get a special bulb to make colors pop, growth triple, or a flow system, or whatever, there are too many variables that always can be an issue.
This thread is about a particular method for lowering nitrates, having read through quite a few pages, I don't think DJfrankie ever makes the claims that 0 nitrates = perfect tank, or any of that. He's simply outlying a way to reduce nitrates.
This thread is about a particular method for lowering nitrates, having read through quite a few pages, I don't think DJfrankie ever makes the claims that 0 nitrates = perfect tank, or any of that. He's simply outlying a way to reduce nitrates.
so all my sps have awesome color as well, and my nitrates were 30-40. Problem was they were not growing very fast, and the colors could be even better with lower nitrates(while keeping my fishload and feeding where they are)
Its more for a health standpoint. Particularly for the FOWLR system im putting the next one on. Yeah everything is fine and dandy with the nitrates at 50-80 but I know having it lower will help prevent alot of problems.
Its more for a health standpoint. Particularly for the FOWLR system im putting the next one on. Yeah everything is fine and dandy with the nitrates at 50-80 but I know having it lower will help prevent alot of problems.
adnup
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12331430#post12331430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djfrankie
Once your tank hits zero nitrates you may want to rethink using less media or buying a bigger tank
djfrankie
Now your talking. I'll just tell the wife Djfrankie said I need a bigger tank for the SR....
Anyway update:
I upped the flow to 9 liters per hour and the smell pretty much went away. I had it off line yesterday for a while when I installed a new pump and plumbing. When I got it back online I ran about 5 gals of water through it into a bucket. the first gal or so was yellow from sulfur and it lessened as it went along. Today NO SMELL
but a have a leak on the pump 
. I'm fixing that now(I hope) and will run a couple gallons through again...
I wasn't really confused, but I did miss the CPVC part, I just looked at size when I went to get parts, the 5/8th looked to small, so I checked and found the 7/8th worked just fine.
Thanks Paul, I know what you meant<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12345645#post12345645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU
Doh! I meant to type 1/2" not 1" sorry
Now, I'm going to try something a bit different for lowering Nitrates, but will use the design of the reactor because it's so dang easy. I'll let you know how it works out.
saltydog64
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12341589#post12341589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Horace
Im not going to say anything other than this tank has upwards 50ppm nitrate. The picture speaks for itself. You can draw your own conclusion on the effect of nitrate.....
Kurt.........If your not concerned about Nitrates....buzz off as no one needs your distractions....and oh ya what to you think the level of Nitrates reach on a REEF..........still thinking???? donot waste your time you know the answer (Not that anyone here can duplicate a real reef) but you get the point and you already said to much.:mixed: :mixed:
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