Donovan's Nitrate Destroyer

[nematode]

from jml1149
Agree. I use the new FMM from Apex to monitor the flow into the reactor, and it's been helpful in identifying clogs or trends. Visual is the next best, but you should have some way to evaluate the output

Cool. But sensing flow at these low levels is reasonably challenging.

I had not seen these.

According to Apex the sensors
(The 1/2″ sensors are rated for flow rates from 30-250 gph. The 1″ flow sensors are rated for flow rates from 150-1500 gph.)

the optional 1/4" sensor FS_25 will work with flows down to 3 GPH.
That is still too high.

Flow will be more like 1 gph.

Which sensor are you using.
Is the sensor you are using accurate (or even register a value) that far outside the rating range.

 

[jml1149]

I use the 1/4" sensor and even though it's rated at 3 gph, if you mount it horizontally mine reads down below that.

 

[jml1149]

I'm not so concerned about the accuracy as I am the flow / no flow to alert me when the reactor output is clogged, which happens occasionally.

 

[djbon]

Jml, when your reactor clogged, presumably due to sudden increase of bacteria mass, how is your ORP?

 

[djbon]

Tank pictures. I don't have fancy SPS, the only two expensive coral I have are SSC and Pikachu. The rest are self collected near public beaches. Void of striking colors but they grow faster .

P/s: orange polyp digitata growth (14/2/2017 - 2/4/2017)

 

[djbon]

My el-cheapo gadgets:-

- 1000ml calcium IV dripper (calcium at 460ppm)
- 500ml sodium carbonate IV dripper (alk at 8dkh)
- Home made 4' LED bar (93 pieces multicolored LEDs, 270W total)
- DIY arduino light controller
- My 10G sump (5G max level with my denitrator & Dymax LS10 skimmer in it)
- Jebao RW8 & RW4 for wave action
- Resun CL450 chiller (upgrading to split unit soon)

 

[ReefKeeper64]

only problem I see with a submerged design is that it is difficult to figure out what the flow through the reactor actually is. I think most people do it by having the output be above the surface of the water so one can see/collect the effluent.

I don't have much height to work with but I do have plenty of room in a 60 gal sump. This is the only reason for the low profile approach.

Nematode, good point about the visual on the flow as it exits the reactor. I drew up another idea based on your suggestion. Let's call this v2! This will allow me to see the exit flow well. Any other red flags that you see in v2?

There are small air pockets inside the reactor. I don't think this will be an issue because they should become anaerobic since they are essentially closed off. Yes, no, maybe?

I have 25 liters of siporax I just bought. I will use that for media.

My only concern is that the siporax may require occasional cleaning. According to you guys, this isn't an issue. I Just let it load up with bacteria and what have you and let the bacteria break it down? Talk about out of sight, out of mind. I sure hope this works!

What flow are you guys running anyway? Donovan's picture shows an exit flow that is a steady stream. It must be well over 3 gph. What do you estimate it at?

 

[djbon]

When dosing bacteria like microbacter do you guys just follow the instructions on the bottle? Or is it some other regimen?

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Hi John. Start with a small amount in the beginning, let the bacteria grows in number for a few days before increasing the dosing a little and test the effluent output for no3 the next day. It really depends on your tank diversity and maturity. Adding bacteria in the reactor will speed up colonization for sure.

 

[djbon]

I don't have much height to work with but I do have plenty of room in a 60 gal sump. This is the only reason for the low profile approach.

Nematode, good point about the visual on the flow as it exits the reactor. I drew up another idea based on your suggestion. Let's call this v2! This will allow me to see the exit flow well. Any other red flags that you see in v2?

There are small air pockets inside the reactor. I don't think this will be an issue because they should become anaerobic since they are essentially closed off. Yes, no, maybe?

I have 25 liters of siporax I just bought. I will use that for media.

My only concern is that the siporax may require occasional cleaning. According to you guys, this isn't an issue. I Just let it load up with bacteria and what have you and let the bacteria break it down? Talk about out of sight, out of mind. I sure hope this works!

What flow are you guys running anyway? Donovan's picture shows an exit flow that is a steady stream. It must be well over 3 gph. What do you estimate it at?

Hey, that is exactly what has been lingering in my head since last year. If you happen to commercialized this design, I demand 15% profit sharing .

To make it happen, let me show you how it should be done . (top view picture)

 

[blackthunda77]

Hi John. Start with a small amount in the beginning, let the bacteria grows in number for a few days before increasing the dosing a little and test the effluent output for no3 the next day. It really depends on your tank diversity and maturity. Adding bacteria in the reactor will speed up colonization for sure.

So after all this time with the reactor, you still recommend dosing the bacteria directly into the reactor via the syringe?

Also what is a "small amount" to you? I'm running about 220 gal total volume. Instructions on the mb7 bottle recommend 50mls daily for the first 2 weeks.

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[ReefKeeper64]

Tank pictures. I don't have fancy SPS, the only two expensive coral I have are SSC and Pikachu. The rest are self collected near public beaches. Void of striking colors but they grow faster .

P/s: orange polyp digitata growth (14/2/2017 - 2/4/2017)

That's a colorful and vibrant tank you have and your DIY skills are way up there! Your digi before and after shots show that your corals are very happy with the water quality you are giving them. Nice work!

 

[djbon]

So after all this time with the reactor, you still recommend dosing the bacteria directly into the reactor via the syringe?

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I am no longer dosing bacteria in the reactor. Once colonization took place and anaerobic zone has been established, bacteria dosing stops. In fact, i only recommend bacteria dosing in reactor (5 ml daily) for 5 days straight. This is more than enough. I can easily clogged the reactor via overdosing carbon, i do this occasionally. I still dump a few ml of MB8 in my DT every month as I still have leftover not to be wasted.

 

[djbon]

That's a colorful and vibrant tank you have and your DIY skills are way up there! Your digi before and after shots show that your corals are very happy with the water quality you are giving them. Nice work!

Thank you sir. I like doing DIY simply to save some money so that I can buy some expensive SPS. I don't do water changes as well, synthetic salt is way to expensive for me.

 

[ReefKeeper64]

Hey, that is exactly what has been lingering in my head since last year. If you happen to commercialized this design, I demand 15% profit sharing .

To make it happen, let me show you how it should be done . (top view picture)

How about we commercialize this together and become partners? We'll make a million dollars! LOL

Nice picture. I can see you have definitely been thinking about this idea.

 

[djbon]

How about we commercialize this together and become partners? We'll make a million dollars! LOL

Nice picture. I can see you have definitely been thinking about this idea.

LOL. I have been thinking about this design since July last year. For acrylic sump, this design should be easily incorporated with any build. Should have patented this method and collect some royalty. At least I can buy some home wrecker acros for collection.

 

[nematode]

I use the 1/4" sensor and even though it's rated at 3 gph, if you mount it horizontally mine reads down below that.

And, If you used two 1/4 inch sensors you could relatively accurately measure lower flow. You could measure flow before and after a T-with the unmeasured arm going into the reactor. The difference between the two measurements would be the flow through the reactor. You would have twice the error of the single measure measurement, but you could measure smaller flows reasonably accurately. Of course it adds expense.

 

[nematode]

New Design
How are you planning to get material in this new design?

my U 4 inch reactor is not glued. I am just using the tightness of the fit of the connector fitting to keep it together. I am sure it leaks a little, but that doesn't matter.

You could just have the bottom (be removable) with 6 -8 screws. Would not be water tight, but it it fits snug, it should not matter.

 

[blackthunda77]

How tall are you guys making the 4" reactors. I'm still on the fence regarding making my reactor out of 3" or 4". The 4" pipe just looks really huge.

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[jml1149]

I use the 1/4" sensor and even though it's rated at 3 gph, if you mount it horizontally mine reads down below that.



And, If you used two 1/4 inch sensors you could relatively accurately measure lower flow. You could measure flow before and after a T-with the unmeasured arm going into the reactor. The difference between the two measurements would be the flow through the reactor. You would have twice the error of the single measure measurement, but you could measure smaller flows reasonably accurately. Of course it adds expense.

This is a great idea...the expense would only be 20 bucks for the additional sensor

 

[ReefKeeper64]

Low profile design

Low profile design

I realized that v2 will fail because gases will get trapped in the chambers up top and that will create backpressure.

Here is v3

Nematode, I like your idea of the removable bottom for this design. A local plastic shop can fabricate this box shaped reactor with a removable bottom using the plastic screws you suggested. Thanks for the recommendation!