DIY Sulfur Denitrator

[klasiksb]

djfrankie, how did you determine the size that you would need to make it? From my experience with these, they can be too small and if so, they will not work.

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11561061#post11561061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klasiksb
djfrankie, how did you determine the size that you would need to make it? From my experience with these, they can be too small and if so, they will not work.

You have experience with Sulfur or with coil denitrators?

The amount of media determines how big of a tank you can run it in, not the size of the chamber. In other words, as long as the media fits it's ok. The amount of media that I bought is good up to 250 gallon tanks. In most cases, once the nitrates have come down to near zero levels you have to remove some of the media. The sulfur media works very well.

Hope this answers your question.

djfrankie

 

[EnderG60]

what kind of cycle time did you have with this reactor? Also which is the input and outlet for the efluent?

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11561141#post11561141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnderG60
what kind of cycle time did you have with this reactor? Also which is the input and outlet for the efluent?

After 3 days my effluent (out of the reactor) was 0.

The input is on the same tube where the maxijet's output flows.

Effluent output is attached directly to the pvc pipe.

Degassing valve is on the top lid.

Here's a pic of how it's running now.

<a href="http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/dj_frankie/DIY%20Sulfur%20Denitrator/?action=view&current=DSC_0462.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/dj_frankie/DIY%20Sulfur%20Denitrator/DSC_0462.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

djfrankie

 

[asch803]

maybe i missed it, but in the pic you just posted of it working currently, where does the hose next to the effluent and off the "T" go? One other thought, would it be too difficult/expensive to use a 4" clear tube for the body rather than the pvc?

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11563297#post11563297 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asch803
maybe i missed it, but in the pic you just posted of it working currently, where does the hose next to the effluent and off the "T" go? One other thought, would it be too difficult/expensive to use a 4" clear tube for the body rather than the pvc?

That is the feed from my return pump.

Using the clear tube would be nicer and also more expensive. I used what was simpler and cheaper for me.

HTH,
djfrankie

 

[asch803]

a few more questions if you don't mind...instead of using my return pump to feed the denitrator, could i use a maxijet 12? would that be powerful enough? Second question, where did you get the acrylic for the top or where could i get some? what do you mean when you say you were tapping - is that making threads? last question, if i don't have a router, could i use a jigsaw to cut the plexi-glass piece and for the top? Obviously, it'll be tougher to make a perfect circle, but that shouldn't matter too much on the plexi, for the top it might...

Thanks!!!

Andy

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11583059#post11583059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asch803
a few more questions if you don't mind...instead of using my return pump to feed the denitrator, could i use a maxijet 12? would that be powerful enough? Second question, where did you get the acrylic for the top or where could i get some? what do you mean when you say you were tapping - is that making threads? last question, if i don't have a router, could i use a jigsaw to cut the plexi-glass piece and for the top? Obviously, it'll be tougher to make a perfect circle, but that shouldn't matter too much on the plexi, for the top it might...

Thanks!!!

Andy

No problem with the questions.

I would use an Aqualifter to feed the reactor. If you have the maxijet laying around sure can use it.

I got the acrylic from Juliovideo (scraps) you can get scraps from anyone close to you or pm me and I'll send you a piece.

Tapping is making threads.

You can only use what you've got. So a jigsaw would have to do. You can use sandpaper to rough out the edges.

Let me know if you've got any other questions and I'll be happy to help.

djfrankie

 

[asch803]

thanks for getting back so quickly...i'll check w/ the shop teacher at my school, i'm guessing he has a router...who makes the Aqualifter? i do have several mj1200's though...i'm gonna pm and would love if you could send me some of the acrylic scrap, thanks!

Andy

 

[asch803]

another question, please...what keeps the media in the chamber from being pulled into the maxijet intake? the 1/2 pvc slides in 1" into the chamber. do the holes need to be above where the mdia will be inside the chamber or does that not matter? i'll do the same thing with a sppnge, then sulfor a sponge and then some arm and then another sponge.

thanks!

Andy

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11586064#post11586064 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asch803
another question, please...what keeps the media in the chamber from being pulled into the maxijet intake? the 1/2 pvc slides in 1" into the chamber. do the holes need to be above where the mdia will be inside the chamber or does that not matter? i'll do the same thing with a sppnge, then sulfor a sponge and then some arm and then another sponge.

thanks!

Andy

The sulfur media is covered with ARM media since the lower PH helps dissolve some of the aragonite and helps with the calcium and alkalinity (not by much, but it does).

The pump does not pull the media.

Check out the diagram I just made and see if it makes a little more sense now?

<a href="http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/dj_frankie/DIY%20Sulfur%20Denitrator/?action=view&current=cross-section.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/dj_frankie/DIY%20Sulfur%20Denitrator/cross-section.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[asch803]

YES, that makes perfect sense now! GREAT diagram! So no need for filter foam on top of the arm? you used about a 50/50 ratio of sulfur and arm in your denitrator? Did you notice or are you noticing that your chaeto is dying off now that your nitrates are zero? I remember reading that when i unsuccessfukky tried to use my mtc pro-cal as a sulfur reactor - it just never worked...that's why i'm doing this and at some point i'll going to go back to using the pro-cal for its proper use, as a calcium reactor. right now i don't have too many corals, so my calium demand isn't too high.

 

[Black71gp]

I am having issues with my large system. I have about 1200 gallons or so.. and nitrates will not drop below 50. I am dosing over 65ml of vodka and just not working. this would be my next step... so how much and what size reactor would i need to build to handle 1200 gallons?

 

[Fish2reef]

I was referred to this thread by cubano, great thread.

 

[seattownreefer]

thanks for the diy! might have to try if my phosban reactor diy doesnt work

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11590347#post11590347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Black71gp
I am having issues with my large system. I have about 1200 gallons or so.. and nitrates will not drop below 50. I am dosing over 65ml of vodka and just not working. this would be my next step... so how much and what size reactor would i need to build to handle 1200 gallons?

Wow that's a big system!

For a system that big two of this diy would be sufficient and about 10 pounds of sulfur media. I recommend 2 reactors instead of one because they would be easier to clean and once your nitrates go down you might be able to do with just one.

IMHO,
djfrankie

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11601459#post11601459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fish2reef
I was referred to this thread by cubano, great thread.

You're welcome...just trying to help

djfrankie

 

[Black71gp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11602333#post11602333 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djfrankie
Wow that's a big system!

For a system that big two of this diy would be sufficient and about 10 pounds of sulfur media. I recommend 2 reactors instead of one because they would be easier to clean and once your nitrates go down you might be able to do with just one.

IMHO,
djfrankie

ok how many lbs are in a container of sulfur??? I have a bunch of 6" PVC i can use.. what style reactor would you recommend building... the pancake type.. should it be clear?? can i make it square???? thanks for any help

 

[djfrankie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11609080#post11609080 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Black71gp
ok how many lbs are in a container of sulfur??? I have a bunch of 6" PVC i can use.. what style reactor would you recommend building... the pancake type.. should it be clear?? can i make it square???? thanks for any help

I don't know how many pounds in a container. I bought my media from premiumaquatics and it is sold by the pound. If you're talking about the new Caribsea media that is sold in the gallon I wouldn't know.

djfrankie

 

[klasiksb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11561112#post11561112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djfrankie
You have experience with Sulfur or with coil denitrators?

The amount of media determines how big of a tank you can run it in, not the size of the chamber. In other words, as long as the media fits it's ok. The amount of media that I bought is good up to 250 gallon tanks. In most cases, once the nitrates have come down to near zero levels you have to remove some of the media. The sulfur media works very well.

Hope this answers your question.

djfrankie

I had purchased the small sulfer reactor from Midwest Aquatic. My system size was slightly larger than what the unit was recommended for, but they guy said it would be fine. I never got that unit to put out 0 nitrates after 3 months and couldn't figure out why. Luckily, they extended my money back quarantee so I sent it back and got a full refund. They only conclusion I came to was that the unit (media amount) was too small for my situation.

Trying again with a custom unit (different size system as well) so crossing my fingers. I will try and update this thread as results come in, along with some pics.