Donovan's Nitrate Destroyer

[djbon]

Here is my nitrate twin tower nitrate destroyer. Hopefully this design will help many reefers out there who is having high nitrate problem but cannot afford spending money on commercial product.

 

[djbon]

My current effluent output flow (nitrate free)

http://vid1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff398/djbon73/nitrate destroyer_zpsu4n8e69w.mp4

 

[djbon]

List of material needed:-

3" PVC pipe, 2 1/2 feet in length each (2 pieces)
3" PVC end cap (4 pieces)
1/4" clear vinyl tubing (2 1/2 feet & 8" each)
Small aquarium pump (fountain pump should be sufficient)
Reef safe adjustable valve (to be fitted with the 1/4" tubing)
10ml syringe
Bio ring, bio ball, pumice stones as per image (layered)
Carbon source (vodka, vinegar, sugar)
A bottle of live bacteria to start the reactor

 

[andrewey]

How long did it take to get the bacteria colonized enough to process the nitrate? Also, how much flow do you want entering the tower ?

 

[djbon]

How long did it take to get the bacteria colonized enough to process the nitrate? Also, how much flow do you want entering the tower ?

With daily dosing of bacteria of 5ml directly through the syringe, within 5 days you should start seeing nitrogen bubble coming out from the output tubing. For starting, a fine stream of effluent roughly about 1ml per second is sufficient. Once you start seeing nitrate reduction at the output, bacteria dosing can be reduce to 5ml every 2 days. Carbon dosing 5 ml via syringe. Keep testing for nitrate every 3 - 5 days. Increase flow a bit once nitrate reduced by 5ppm.

Make sure the input is after filter sock to prevent blockage.

 

[Taahirs]

This looks cool. Interesting idea.

 

[djbon]

This looks cool. Interesting idea.

Thanks. Glad you like it. So far my nitrate is constantly zero. Dosing inside the reactor means no cyano outbreak. Once nitrate is 5ppm, i stopped dosing bacteria, continue carbon dosing 1 - 2ml daily just to keep the bacteria happy.

 

[Horace]

What bacteria product are u using

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[djbon]

What bacteria product are u using

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I used combination of Biozyme formula 50 (cheap) with BioDigest to start the tower.

 

[Subsea]

Do you use a protein skimmer with carbon dosing? Neat that you actually see nutrient export with the bubbles.

 

[Subsea]

"Dosing inside the reactor means no cyano outbreak."


Are you referring to dosing bacteria are carbon as a source for a cyno outbreak? I assume you expect the bacteria inside the bioreactor to consume carbon before it gets into bulk water.

 

[djbon]

"Dosing inside the reactor means no cyano outbreak."


Are you referring to dosing bacteria are carbon as a source for a cyno outbreak? I assume you expect the bacteria inside the bioreactor to consume carbon before it gets into bulk water.

Dosing bacteria (initial seed & maintenance) and carbon source are done via the syringe, directly into the chambers. Since the chambers are occupied by bacteria, the carbon source (in my case vodka) is fully consumed internally, leaving a nitrate & carbon free effluent at the output.

I have experienced cyno outbreak in my DT/sump when i dosed carbon directly into the water column before, but never had this issue since running this bacteria reactor months ago. The previous cyno outbreak might be due vodka overdosed.

Another note to add is there will be no massive bacteria bloom in DT as opposed to carbon dosing directly into the water column.

 

[Subsea]

So the cyno got drunk on vodka when it was added to bulk water. How cool is that.

I really like this concept. However it will not work for me because I have a 6" deep Jaubert Plenumn that is full of sludge after 20 years. I will dose bacteria into bulk water and allow the bugs to work on nutrient elimination. In my case, I see little need for carbon dosing.

Are you using a protein skimmer?

 

[Subsea]

I think that you should put this thread in reef discussion or advanced topics.

 

[djbon]

So the cyno got drunk on vodka when it was added to bulk water. How cool is that.

I really like this concept. However it will not work for me because I have a 6" deep Jaubert Plenumn that is full of sludge after 20 years. I will dose bacteria into bulk water and allow the bugs to work on nutrient elimination. In my case, I see little need for carbon dosing.

Are you using a protein skimmer?

I do have skimmer, but when the reactor is charging in the beginning, my filter socks was covered with slime. Since the effluent is flowing thru the filter, bacteria bloom was captured by filter socks. Once settled with zero nitrate, no more slime, probably due to less bacteria in the chambers.

 

[djbon]

I think that you should put this thread in reef discussion or advanced topics.

Need moderator help to move this thread :lmao:

 

[Subsea]

Not really. Just start a new thread on reef discussion. When I look at people viewing differrent forums, DIY and reef discussion has the most viewers by far.

 

[Rybren]

You can ask a mod to move your thread by clicking on the "report post" red triangle that is in the bottom left-hand side of a post.

Thanks for sharing your denitrator.

 

[djbon]

No problem rybren. I'm gathering some info on another chamber to specifically targetting phosphate. That will complete the design, hopefully.

 

[Subsea]

I do have one question on the bubbles that are coming up. Certain carbon sources with certain bacteria will ferment and give off other gases as the biological process go to completion. The fact that your effluent is nitrate free would support the conclusion of nitrate bubbles. Would you consider your use of vodka, which is a completed fermentation process the reason for your success? Would other carbon sources provide success?