DIY Sulfur Denitrator

[Kreeger1]

the gas valve is opened only to release the air for a few seconds. If its open all the time there would be no pressure in the unit and it would shot water out the air hole all the time.

 

[knockout]

If that is the only issue, I have not that problem (hopefully won't), I keep the efluent end an inch or two lower than the output from the pipe, this gives me a bit faster drain, I'd like to keep this pace as the last time I had the trickle going it was too slow and got the rotten egg smell, that was nasty..

I removed half the sulfur and its going good for two weeks now...

 

[chicken]

In order for a sulfur reactor to work it has to be void of all oxygen. If there is oxygen in your reactor it will not work properly. So leaving the gas valve open all the time is a "bad" idea.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12838808#post12838808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kreeger1
the gas valve is opened only to release the air for a few seconds. If its open all the time there would be no pressure in the unit and it would shot water out the air hole all the time.

 

[knockout]

that's another thing... let me test the effluent,

 

[dvanacker]

Okay a couple questions for the pros. I'm thinking of setting one of these up and wondering how much bead type sulfur I would need on about 110g of water(nitrate currently sits at 15-20ppm). Also what type of calcium reactor media should I use.....large or small pieces type.

Another question......what are peoples experience with these type of denitators and sps? Any negative effects?

 

[hotwired99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12870446#post12870446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dvanacker
Okay a couple questions for the pros. I'm thinking of setting one of these up and wondering how much bead type sulfur I would need on about 110g of water(nitrate currently sits at 15-20ppm). Also what type of calcium reactor media should I use.....large or small pieces type.

Another question......what are peoples experience with these type of denitators and sps? Any negative effects?

Same question with a 265gal system though. Not sure how much media to use. Thanks

 

[EnderG60]

So its been a few months now, and even after adding more sulphur to the system I cant seem to get my nitrates down below 2ish.

If i set my drip rate to anything over a steady drip(cant do a stream) i get nitrates in the effluent.

I have about a full 3lbs of sulphur in there already, and I have another pound or so left. So im wondering if I should add that, or swap the recirc pump on the unit from a maxijet 900 to a 1200.

 

[reef_only]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12871594#post12871594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnderG60
So its been a few months now, and even after adding more sulphur to the system I cant seem to get my nitrates down below 2ish.

If i set my drip rate to anything over a steady drip(cant do a stream) i get nitrates in the effluent.

I have about a full 3lbs of sulphur in there already, and I have another pound or so left. So im wondering if I should add that, or swap the recirc pump on the unit from a maxijet 900 to a 1200.

I guess your bio-load is very high that you cannot lower your NO3, as your NO3 is constantly produced and balanced with your reactor at 2. Otherwise, it is just matter of time you will get your tank to nearly 0ppm. You don't need to have 0ppm at effluent to get your tank down to nearly 0ppm as long as your effluent NO3 is substantially less than tank NO3.

 

[reef_only]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12871594#post12871594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnderG60
So its been a few months now, and even after adding more sulphur to the system I cant seem to get my nitrates down below 2ish.

If i set my drip rate to anything over a steady drip(cant do a stream) i get nitrates in the effluent.

I have about a full 3lbs of sulphur in there already, and I have another pound or so left. So im wondering if I should add that, or swap the recirc pump on the unit from a maxijet 900 to a 1200.

 

[Kreeger1]

My new top I will be using

 

[EnderG60]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12876224#post12876224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef_only
I guess your bio-load is very high that you cannot lower your NO3, as your NO3 is constantly produced and balanced with your reactor at 2. Otherwise, it is just matter of time you will get your tank to nearly 0ppm. You don't need to have 0ppm at effluent to get your tank down to nearly 0ppm as long as your effluent NO3 is substantially less than tank NO3.

yeah my bio load is pretty high, and Im trying to get them as low as I can to see what the coral colors do. They have been getting alot better, but my blue millie is still green and I want it blue

 

[saveafish]

Going to the store to build one of these goodies today. I will try to think of a way to call it so I can get a good laugh when the store helper ask what I am building today. hehe

 

[saltydog64]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12883307#post12883307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saveafish
Going to the store to build one of these goodies today. I will try to think of a way to call it so I can get a good laugh when the store helper ask what I am building today. hehe

saveafish................go for it, but what to call it ??? are u kidding....there's only one name for it AND it's the djdenitrator...where you been man....before u attempt it I stongly suggest u read this thread from the start or there is no way your going to be sucessfull......that's just the why it is dude.

 

[siskiou]

Update:

djdenitrator is doing its job admirably!

I *am* concerned about how fast pH and Alk drop with it, though.

If I don't dose every day, pH goes from 8.2 down to 7.85 within a day!

I mainly use kalkwasser for dosing.
Is there something else that would be a better choice? Or do I have to find something else to keep up with the nitrates?
Regular WC and skimming have not been successful for me, and I already have a sump with macro.

I'm glad to finally have found something to help with the nitrates, but won't be able to leave the tank with a babysitter ever, if I have to fiddle with the pH/Alk levels this much.

Magnesium is at least at 1280, which is the highest my test shows.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[chicken]

siskiou, what did your nitrates start at? I suspect you will see ph & alk not drop anywhere near as fast once your nitrates get down to near zero.

 

[siskiou]

My nitrates have been down to 0 for weeks, and I've taken out quite a bit of the initial sulfur.

Nitrates were 40-50ppm before.

I'll be trying to stabilize the Alk with baking soda to see if that helps.

 

[Kurt03]

Im planning on putting one of these together for my 150 mostly sps reef. Around 180 total volume. My nitrates are not high by any means, the max they have tested is 5. I just want to use this to keep them low. Since I dont need to bring nitrates down much, just assist a little, do you think I would be fine with out a recirculating pump? Or am I better off using a Recirc pump and using less media? Any recommendations on the amount of media?

Thanks!!

 

[siskiou]

From what I've read, I'd go for less media and recirc.

 

[saltydog64]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12934157#post12934157 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siskiou
From what I've read, I'd go for less media and recirc.

Hi there siskiou.............great hearing from you girl. Good news on your nitrate reduction...good job. On the pH/Alk thingy, I don't remember your setup!:mixed: Are you running one or two reactors ??? If one you could consider building a second and filling it with nothing but ARM....let us know and good luck

Dick

 

[siskiou]

I have a 120G tank with 25G sump, and am already running the reactor output though ARM. Doesn't seem to do much (or maybe it would be worse without! ).

I'm looking into dosing 2 part solution, but until that comes in, I'll bake some baking soda and dose that to see if it helps with ALK and stabilizes the pH.