Hooked up new Denitrator

Swirlygig

Swirlygig

Active member
So anyways,

I got a really good deal off Davy182 who builds de-nitrators amongst other things. He was very helpful in getting me started with this unit.

This is day number 3 and I am just about ready to start seeing the results soon. I held off on my biweekly water change to check the results.

Day 1 Nitrates recorded at around 40.

I will post a follow up to let you know the results as the system is still cycling. :)
 
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IMG_1848.jpg
IMG_1849.jpg
 
Same unit I have been using since October, works like a champ!
It looks like you are already at a steady flow based on the pic. How about giving us some numbers from both tank water and denitrator as it kicks off. Interesting to watch happen. Also be sure to watch calcium as it may rise. Ph is another variant to watch. If you need any help, let me know.
G
 
I haven't heard of denitrators being used widely on SW tanks. What's the principal behind them if you dont mind me asking?
 
The denitrator uses a type of autotrophic bateria that consumes sulphur. In that process it also uses nitrates and sodium bicarbonate. So all that is needed is to buffer with baking soda. After the denitrator is set up (which normally takes less than a week) the amount of baking soda used almost never changes unless the bio load increases. The pro's to using one is increased calcium, magnesium, and trace element by dissolving aragonite in the second chamber.

There have been instances that purchasing more corals are necessary to lower calcium due to the increase or removing some of the aragonite.

I have been using one since 2004 and love it. Back then information was very limited and hard to find, and after last meeting I found out that the Georiga Aquarium is using them in their whale shark system.
 
Hmm so its kind of like a calcium reactor hitched up with sulphur? thats interesting. i think I had heard of folks using these on freshwater systems (dont mark my words on that i know nothing of those) but I guess if you're running a system with low nutrient export and/or high nitrates..

Well hell, I imagine whale shark poop has got to be big :)
 
You can use on freshwater without aragonite, I personally haven't tried it but I now where to find the directions.
 
I agree.

I built a smaller one for my 120g using a phosban reactor. It's amazing how much difference it's made on our corals. Color, growth, everything. I think this is one of the best additions we've added to the tank added in years. Z-E-R-O Nitrate! No fuss.
 
Ok here is the update.

My nitrates are reading 5 as of yesterday coming out of the denitrator. My tank was reading 10-15...

I will be checking it again tonight...I am assuming the tank will be much lower....


THIS SYSTEM ROCKS!!! I totally recommend this to anyone!!! This is by far my best investment yet...

If you need anything I would recommend DAVY182 as he builds them as one of his projects...
 
okay to jump off jeff's thread i'll be using one on david de-nitrators from george. we found that my test kit was incorrect and within a mintue it was above 80. final was around off the chart. i did do 50% water change today and i will test to give a complete reading tommorow. but it should be still at the 140ppm area. so i'll keep it updated on this thread unless jeff says other wise. goes to show that even trying to do the rite thing can get you. btw i think the cause was my sand sifting goby. he along with the powerheads removed atleast 33% of my sand and it could of caused a cycle. we will see
 
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