DIY Sulfur Denitrator

[Nanz]

This looks really similar to my calcium reactor but In all the plans on this thread I dont see a FEED pump. How are you guys getting the water to feed into the reactor. I have a 2 stage Reeftek (Geo style) reactor and its fed by a MJ1200.

My second question is how much of the sulfur should you put in the reactor. I have a 75 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. I think with rock displacement I have around 80 gallons of water. My nitrates are not really bad (10.0 ppm) but I can't seem to lower them.

 

[hyperfocal]

Most I've seen feed via siphon from the overflow, and drain into the sump. Some people prefer to drive them with an Aqualifter (or similar pump) rather than deal with the potential problems with a siphon drain.

 

[dahenley]

i use a MJ 1200. it feeds my Sulfur Reactor and my calcium reactor with tons of water left over. you regulate how much water goes through your reactor by adjusting the effluent.

 

[Nanz]

I see.. Thanks for the info..

I noticed most of you are using a smaller pump for recirculating around (150 GPH). My Calcium reactor uses a QO1200 which has (295 GPH). Will this pump work or is it too much flow?

Also how much sulfur pellets are you putting into the reactor?

 

[NCNBilly]

Too much flow for the SR, you'll pulverize the media and get mush - you want just enough to keep it from channeling.

 

[erroldejesus]

Hi. I have a sulfur denitrator. The problem is that the place I put the reactor is a little bit bad to work with it. It's ubicated near of the sump. To work with it I have to move the denitrator horizontely and I don't know if the sulfur and the aragonite mixed a little bit. The question to you is : If they mixed a little bit.....the denitrator works?? Thanks and sorry for the question.

 

[saltydog64]

Hi. I have a sulfur denitrator. The problem is that the place I put the reactor is a little bit bad to work with it. It's ubicated near of the sump. To work with it I have to move the denitrator horizontely and I don't know if the sulfur and the aragonite mixed a little bit. The question to you is : If they mixed a little bit.....the denitrator works?? Thanks and sorry for the question.

A mixing of the two should be no problem.....not sure about the horizontal position and it's affect on the operation.......not sure if this ever came up before, so your a pioneer on this one....let us know.....

 

[erroldejesus]

Thanks saltydog...... What I try to explain is that when I was putting the reactor near the sump , I have to put horizontally for a brief moment. A little one. My reactor is verically, like everybody.....sorry for no explain correctly.:sad2: Thanks again....

 

[saltydog64]

Thanks saltydog...... What I try to explain is that when I was putting the reactor near the sump , I have to put horizontally for a brief moment. A little one. My reactor is verically, like everybody.....sorry for no explain correctly.:sad2: Thanks again....

erroldejesus............your are very welcome....actually I missed read it....you should be just fine..and good luck with your SR...

 

[buddah001]

WELL I think this thing is starting to kick in. I am having to degass everyday. The nitrates coming out of the denitrator havent gone down yet but the tank nitrates are going down.????????????????

 

[Corry]

WELL I think this thing is starting to kick in. I am having to degass everyday. The nitrates coming out of the denitrator havent gone down yet but the tank nitrates are going down.????????????????

Smell the gas? If rotten egg smell then NO3 being broken down. THe normal procedure is to ramp the flow rate up when gas starts being produced to the point where no more gas is being produced but NO3 levels are still 0.

This can be anything between 4-6 l/h

 

[saltydog64]

Smell the gas? If rotten egg smell then NO3 being broken down. THe normal procedure is to ramp the flow rate up when gas starts being produced to the point where no more gas is being produced but NO3 levels are still 0.

This can be anything between 4-6 l/h

Corry................That's really not accurate......if you (we) do smell H2S that's a sign of a problem and it must be fixed ASAP !!!!. The correct method of adjusting FR (flow rate) is not by gas (of any kind) production but by the level of NO3 @ the effluent.....You are correct when you stated that if H2S is present we do increase the FR to no more H2S is detected.....but then we correct the FR to establish a reproduceable NO3 level then increase it as this level continoues to go down....until it eventually reaches 0 ppm of NO3 @ the effluent....

The gas coming out (of a properly running SR) is N2 (nitrogen) which is oderless and has no smell...and is the result of the denitrification process and will eventually diminish with the decreasing NO3 of the water stream.....

 

[Corry]

Corry................That's really not accurate......if you (we) do smell H2S that's a sign of a problem and it must be fixed ASAP !!!!. The correct method of adjusting FR (flow rate) is not by gas (of any kind) production but by the level of NO3 @ the effluent.....You are correct when you stated that if H2S is present we do increase the FR to no more H2S is detected.....but then we correct the FR to establish a reproduceable NO3 level then increase it as this level continoues to go down....until it eventually reaches 0 ppm of NO3 @ the effluent....

The gas coming out (of a properly running SR) is N2 (nitrogen) which is oderless and has no smell...and is the result of the denitrification process and will eventually diminish with the decreasing NO3 of the water stream.....

You're right, I didn't explain myself properly. SN's are tools that need to be constantly monitored and not "fire and forget". I found my SN generating gas to a point until I had the flow rate between 5-6 l/h. NO3 and NO2 readings were 0. (Geez, should have seen how quickly my tank readings went from like 50ppm to 0)

What I meant to say to Buddah was that the Sulfur bacteria population had started to establish themselves but enough yet to completely use reduce the NO3. In a few days to a week his effluent readings will drop to 0.

The one thing I'm not completely sure of is when your NO3"s are 0 what do you do? Keep the unit running or stop it until NO3's pick up again. I realise that there will always be NO3 being generated but will it be enough to sustain the SN?

 

[saltydog64]

You're right, I didn't explain myself properly. SN's are tools that need to be constantly monitored and not "fire and forget". I found my SN generating gas to a point until I had the flow rate between 5-6 l/h. NO3 and NO2 readings were 0. (Geez, should have seen how quickly my tank readings went from like 50ppm to 0)

What I meant to say to Buddah was that the Sulfur bacteria population had started to establish themselves but enough yet to completely use reduce the NO3. In a few days to a week his effluent readings will drop to 0.

The one thing I'm not completely sure of is when your NO3"s are 0 what do you do? Keep the unit running or stop it until NO3's pick up again. I realise that there will always be NO3 being generated but will it be enough to sustain the SN?

Corry....

Excellant..........and this is exactly how we exchange thoughts and also how we learn from each other....I thought that was what you had in mind, I hope I didn't come off as pain in the butt..:spin3::spin3:

You know your ???? is something we all have wondered about...as the tank reaches 0.00 ppm ( nice problem to have ya ) I'm currently @ this stage and for now I'm keeping it running BUT checking each day for....yep H2S as this can surly happen...I'm curently going with VC (Vitamin C) additions as it has been shown to keep NO3 low.....read about it in the Zoa thread...starting VERY VERY slow (2.5ppm) and so on....but I'm getting away from the task @ hand..I think you can keep it going but watch your pH and ALK as they will be negitively affected and of course H2S....

You know in those situations where a tank has a high bio load and is fed fairly heavily i think enough NO3 will be produced that you could keep the SR going w/o a problem....just not 100% sure...

keep in touch on this....

Dick

 

[Corry]

Corry....

Excellant..........and this is exactly how we exchange thoughts and also how we learn from each other....I thought that was what you had in mind, I hope I didn't come off as pain in the butt..:spin3::spin3:



Dick

On the contrary, I have often taken people people to task for not making a clear point in this and several other forums. Lest we forget this is also used by people with little or no experience and what may seem mundane and simple to us is critical and if overlooked because of a lack of experience can cause huge problems.

The problem is when people get all in a huff when constructive criticism is given and they take umbrage to it.

Luckily I am fully aware that my knowledge on this subject is enough to be dangerous at best. I'm not fussed about getting my ego a bit bruised if it saves me thousands of dollars (and hours). I can live with that. And we get free top class advice and guidance.

One thing I did find is with the first media I used the aragonite was mixed with the sulfur beads (I won't mention brands). Eventually the media became caked on the bottom lifting the whole column. This required me to "clean" the unit every week, which is contrary to the running of the unit.

All I can surmise (being a pharmacist and having a post grad degree in chemsitry) is that the pH in the sulfur can drop to as low as 4-5. This will dissolve the aragonite and when this supersatureated solution comes into contact with the inflow from the sump it precipitates calcium carbonate.

I have since changed the media and am keeping the sulfur and aragonite seperate. If this happens again I may even elect to have the effluent only come into contact with the aragonite in a different chamber before returning in to the main circulation.

 

[erroldejesus]

Green hairy algae

Green hairy algae

Hi everybody. Finally My nitrates in my main tank is 1.0 salifert. The phosphate is .25 salifert. But I have a terrible appear of green hairy algae in the aragonite, the coralias and the seaswirl. It's normal that this type of algae appears? with the use of sulfur? I use zeovit but only dose zeostart 2 drops everyday , 2 drop zeobak two times a week, 1 drop aminoacid, coral vitalizer everyday. coralsnow @nd zeozym 2 times X week. My tank is 125 gal......Thanks for yours attention.....

 

[Nanook]

Well, thought it time for an update on this GEO sulphur denitrator I started the unit on October 21st, just 3 weeks from when I quit dosing vodka. My initial nitrates were 26.4 on my Lamotte nitrate kit.

So, here are some readings for anyone wanting to know how it worked for me to this point:

OCT 21st: Nitrate=26.4, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 6cc/minute

NOV 2nd: Nitrate=26.4, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 52cc/minute

NOV 14th: Nitrate=17.6, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 62cc/minute

NOV 30th: Nitrate=17.6, reactor nitrate 2.2, nitrite=zero, effluent rate 77cc/minute

DEC 14th: Nitrate=13.2, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 100cc/minute

JAN 5th: Nitrate=13.2, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 123cc/minute

JAN 19th: Nitrate=8.8, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 107cc/minute

JAN 25th: Nitrate=4.4, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 111cc/minute


SO, this is where I am currently at and am now becoming concerned that my nitrate will rapidly drop to zero, which in turn will take away nitrate as the bacteria food source resulting in hydrogen sulfide. I am going to watch nitrate for the next few days closely and am guessing I will start turning the effluent rate down to find that happy balance.

 

[saltydog64]

Well, thought it time for an update on this GEO sulphur denitrator I started the unit on October 21st, just 3 weeks from when I quit dosing vodka. My initial nitrates were 26.4 on my Lamotte nitrate kit.

So, here are some readings for anyone wanting to know how it worked for me to this point:

OCT 21st: Nitrate=26.4, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 6cc/minute

NOV 2nd: Nitrate=26.4, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 52cc/minute

NOV 14th: Nitrate=17.6, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 62cc/minute

NOV 30th: Nitrate=17.6, reactor nitrate 2.2, nitrite=zero, effluent rate 77cc/minute

DEC 14th: Nitrate=13.2, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 100cc/minute

JAN 5th: Nitrate=13.2, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 123cc/minute

JAN 19th: Nitrate=8.8, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 107cc/minute

JAN 25th: Nitrate=4.4, reactor nitrate and nitrite=zero, effluent rate 111cc/minute


SO, this is where I am currently at and am now becoming concerned that my nitrate will rapidly drop to zero, which in turn will take away nitrate as the bacteria food source resulting in hydrogen sulfide. I am going to watch nitrate for the next few days closely and am guessing I will start turning the effluent rate down to find that happy balance.

Dave..........

Whew..............those are some "funky" NO2/NO3 readings.....I guess what I mean is that I never saw one of these go from...zero in a day or two , then go around 2.0 then back to 0.00 I guess it's ok...just never saw this. Did you renew your LaMotte kit with a new refill kit some where in there (a great kit by the way as I also swear by them, but had an outdated kit give O.OO readings or way to low readings), just a thought....

As far as getting to 0.00 ppm rapidly I'm not so sure about that as it took what....a couple of months to go from 26 down to 4.....any way to your concern, I'm not sure you would what to..... "guessing I will start turning the effluent rate down to find that happy balance" ...do that....if any thing normally what we do if we detect H2S is to either speed up the FR or perhaps in a case where tank NO3 can't support Sulfur Denit....is to reduce the amount of sulfur in there (most have to much to start with anyways) or just plain discontinue the use of the SR, this is where I getting to as my tank is about zero (actually 1.11 ppm,slighty pink on LaMotte = 0.25 ppm X 4.44 = 1.11 ppm) if you do that just rinse it out real good and sit it aside for another time.

What I plan on I doing and have started is dosing with Vitamin C....and so for all looks good...

 

[Nanook]

Dave..........

Whew..............those are some "funky" NO2/NO3 readings.....I guess what I mean is that I never saw one of these go from...zero in a day or two , then go around 2.0 then back to 0.00 I guess it's ok...just never saw this. Did you renew your LaMotte kit with a new refill kit some where in there (a great kit by the way as I also swear by them, but had an outdated kit give O.OO readings or way to low readings), just a thought....

As far as getting to 0.00 ppm rapidly I'm not so sure about that as it took what....a couple of months to go from 26 down to 4.....any way to your concern, I'm not sure you would what to..... "guessing I will start turning the effluent rate down to find that happy balance" ...do that....if any thing normally what we do if we detect H2S is to either speed up the FR or perhaps in a case where tank NO3 can't support Sulfur Denit....is to reduce the amount of sulfur in there (most have to much to start with anyways) or just plain discontinue the use of the SR, this is where I getting to as my tank is about zero (actually 1.11 ppm,slighty pink on LaMotte = 0.25 ppm X 4.44 = 1.11 ppm) if you do that just rinse it out real good and sit it aside for another time.

What I plan on I doing and have started is dosing with Vitamin C....and so for all looks good...

Thanks for the input! My concern is my nitrate is almost down to zero and over the last 6 days has dropped in half. It seems to be taking them down exponentially fast now. I figured decreasing the flow rate would allow me to keep "some nitrate" in my system since I have a heavy hand with feeding? Is this not advisable?

 

[saltydog64]

Hi everybody. Finally My nitrates in my main tank is 1.0 salifert. The phosphate is .25 salifert. But I have a terrible appear of green hairy algae in the aragonite, the coralias and the seaswirl. It's normal that this type of algae appears? with the use of sulfur? I use zeovit but only dose zeostart 2 drops everyday , 2 drop zeobak two times a week, 1 drop aminoacid, coral vitalizer everyday. coralsnow @nd zeozym 2 times X week. My tank is 125 gal......Thanks for yours attention.....

err...........normally the use of the Denitrifier will over the long haul will reduce the occurances of "nasty green stuff" ....so IMO ...no! the use of one shouldn't cause this.

I'm not sure you stated some where how mature or how old the tank is ???

If a "fairly new" tank...... a cylcle with algae is somewhat normal and will soon disappear as the tank matures and getting your NO3 to zero or close to zero will go a long way on also doing that...