DIY Sulfur Denitrator

[siskiou]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13122727#post13122727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wizsmaster
I've had my unit off for a while now ...

I just took mine off line a week ago, and so far nitrates are still at 0.

And add a second chamber for the aragonite. I am also dosing kalk water ... i'm hoping that I will be able to keep the ph/dKH up this way.

I had all that, plus a minimal amount of sulfur left in the reactor, but Alk/pH still dropped like a rock.

I'm hoping to keep on top of the nitrates with WC for now, but will put the denitrator back on line if that's not possible.
Without it, I doubt I'd have been able to get the nitrates down this much.

 

[captain7359]

I will be feeding my reactor off the return pump, which is an Iwaki 100 and I'm making it with a domed top. Does anyone think I will have issues with it air locking? I don't want to have to deal with the de-gassing valve so I was hoping with the funneled top all the gas will rise to the point and go out the effluent line. Were the units that were air locking using small feed pumps? Anyone else feed their reactor off a main pump?
Thanks,
Walter

 

[skippyreef]

Started getting rotten egg smell so I increased outflow today. I added another pound of Sulfur yesterday to it and ordered a second chamber (A geo 418 media reactor) to put the aragonite in and I am plannign on puting in 2 liters of MAtrix as well.

 

[skippyreef]

Started getting rotten egg smell so I increased outflow today. I added another pound of Sulfur yesterday to it and ordered a second chamber (A geo 418 media reactor) to put the aragonite in and I am plannign on puting in 2 liters of MAtrix as well.

 

[sailfintang]

Hey does anyone have extra sulfur beads to sell or want to do a group order of media to try and offset costs. I figured now is a great time to build one of these after reading the thread and researching. PM me if interested in ordering or selling some sulfur. Thanks.

 

[skippyreef]

Marine Depot has teh LSM on sale for 19.99 a gallon right now. I picked up one because I still do not think I have enough Sulfur in my reactor and am adding a second chamber (GEO 4*18 media reactor) after it for additional sulfur and aragonite.

 

[williah]

Newbie here and halfway done with building it. As others have said, thanks for the plans and the forum.

My Q is technical. I'm using PVC that doesn't quite match your plans (all available at local Home Depot). My pvc tube is marked as 1/2", but it's actual 7/8" outer diameter with an 5/8" inner diameter. Measured all the available stock, all the same. I've had to adjust accordingly.

I've drilled larger holes into the body of the denitrator and cemented. The problem came up with the screw-in joints/valves/etc. All the joints I have are labled 1/2". Smallest size I've found anywhere here.


The problem is the tap, where the threads don't match. You originally wrote to purchase a 3/8" tap. I tried to use this for the gas release valve, but the threads don't match with the appropriately sized valve I bought. I'm using 1/2-1/4tubing, screw-in converters (One side is threaded, you screw into the pipe or elbow. The other side is a connecter where you just push in 1/4" hose that locks in).

It turns out (and I've been told by plumbers and hardware store attendants) that the threading in pvc is different than normal threading and taps. I've sen for myself with the 3/8 tap and the proper-sized connector that the taps I cut were less threads-per-inch than what was on the screw-in connector sold.

Is this your experience? Is this just the case in with what's sold at my local stores here in NYC (where I am)?

If there are different taps to use, any websites or advise?

Hope this was clear. I tried to jam in as much info in one posting.
thanks in advance.

 

[williah]

One more question for later.

From pictures everyone has connected their S reactor to the Ca reactor directly. Is everyone using back pressure to flow 1-3 drops/sec from the sulfur reactor to the Calcium reactor, and then from the Ca reactor to the sump, or is there a booster pump somewhere in the system?

 

[Steve 926]

This is what you need, I purchased it from Lowes
There are 2 thread designs for taps, coarse cut & fine cut.
The JG valves & fittings require the coarse one

Steve

:smokin:

 

[williah]

Thanks, Steve.

Out of curiosity what was the outer and inner diameter of the piping you used (from the flowhead back into the body)?

 

[Steve 926]

I modified a Phosban Reactor using an MJ 600 & 1/2 CPVC
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1288082&perpage=25&pagenumber=25

I explain some or the mods further along in the thread

Steve

:smokin:

 

[williah]

I just found the post by Konadog back in April asking the same questions I did about the differences in pipe size.

It took me a while to reach it (this is a great, but long thread). Thanks again Steve for the response on a repeated question.

 

[sailfintang]

Question, I am setting one of these but am having al eaking issue from the PVC Cap, has anyone else experienced this? Here is a phot of what I mean:

It seems whenever i slow the flow to a drip the water backs up and overfloows through the cap top. I have the unit being fed from a T off my Mag 9.5 return. The unit is 16 inches tall

 

[Steve 926]

Wrap the cap several times with Teflon Tape. That will stop the leak. Remember to wrap it opposite the thread direction it insert's into the collar.

Steve

:smokin:

 

[saltydog64]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13247975#post13247975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steve 926
Wrap the cap several times with Teflon Tape. That will stop the leak. Remember to wrap it opposite the thread direction it insert's into the collar.

Steve

:smokin:

Steve.........Right -on that should do it, as that is just how I stopped my leaks also. It good your hear to help the newbies as we all know this method of Nitrate control works great.

 

[sailfintang]

Will add more teflon tape also going to reinforce all the lip areas just to be extra safe.

 

[ReefingBuddha]

I'm back on it, my nitrates creeped back up some I've put my reactor back on line.

I've been having a hell of a time getting a steady drip rate so after trying a few different ball valves and 2 different feed lines I've started using a Peri pump for my feed and it works AWESOME!

Highly recommended though a little pricey.

I hope my reactor cycles soon, I've had it up and running for almost 5 days and nitrates are still high, it is a large reactor though....

 

[H20ENG]

Silly question- the Matrix referenced is the pumice stone, and not the carbon, correct?

And, Like Captain, I would like to know if you simply put the effluent tap at the top, if you would need to degas. I'm thinking no.

 

[captain7359]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13278322#post13278322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H20ENG
Silly question- the Matrix referenced is the pumice stone, and not the carbon, correct?

Yes.

http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/Matrix.html


What causes the reactor to airlock?

Not enough pressure from the feed pump?

Unless you are restricting the flow out of the reactor there should be no reason for the flow to stop. I know cars can vapor lock, but that is because liquid has turned to vapor and won't pump. Has anyone feeding their reactor with their main return pump had the reactor lock up?

 

[H20ENG]

I think that if the flow rate is too slow through the reactor AND the gas production surpasses the flowrate, it will buildup with gas and the recirc pump will suck gas rather than water.

SO, if we have the effluent out the top, but go to the bottom of the secondary chamber, as in your drawing, it may need to buildup enough pressure to overcome the head of the second chamber water depth before allowing the gas into the second chamber. So the gas will still build up since it cant exit the first chamber easily.

How about having the effluent go to the second chamber at about 1" below the top of the first chamber. This way its still underwater. Now, have the offgas tube go to a small tube full of water, like a bubble counter.

This small water level will act as a "plug" and keep the water flowing through the reactor to the second chamber, but as its only a small head, the gas can still get out once the pressure builds up enough to break the head pressure.

Hmm. Lemme start scribbling. My problem with these reactors is that they dont get serviced for a couple weeks sometimes in clients tanks, so they HAVE to be automated somehow.