Nitrate Reactor ?

Eric
Cool just wondering.I read the directions from the link you gave for your unit.They really dont read any different than my aquamedic carbon units directions.On mine before the tank nitrates were 0, when i adjusted the unit i could see changes in the nitrate level within 5 hrs or so out of the unit.even now i still dont drip at full speed (but thats what works for me)i think once you find the begining sweet spot you'll watch the nitrates fly away
:)
 
I have the same problem Eric has (maybe), the reactor (H&S 150SR) has been hooked up for about a month (I know that these things take time to cycle) the nitrite spike has been and gone and I really wasn't too concerned (due to the fact that it has only been a month) about that until I read Erics post.

The drip rate is set at 36 drips per minute (Nitrates are 25 ppm).

After reading this thread i decided to measure the ORP to determine how the unit is working.

I understand that a reading of -50 to -300 is the range that is wanted to support denitrification.

I dusted off the old ORP meter today and calibrated it. The tank is at 285 and the effluent of the denitrator was a whooping 250.

Is this a case where as soon as the denitrification starts the ORP will plummet or is this a case where I need to slow down the flow to get a lower ORP which will then allow the denitrification to begin?
 
See now i have never understood the marketing ploy that the sulfer units could start working straight out of the box.Aways seemed to me that kinda defies the laws of cycling.

Anyway if it will help someone i will list how mine was started (carbon unit)but the directions read the same for the most part.
unit was filled with water pump was on but no drip after a week i started testing the nitrate level in the reactor.at 14 days i opened to test the nitrate and smelled the rotton egg smell (suferic acid)So i knew it was ready.then i started @ 15drops a minute waited 5hrs tested again went up another 15drops at that point i had the nitrate reading 1/2 of what the tank was.And the unit built up from there.

What i think you guys should do is lower your drips to 15 a minute wait 5 hrs or so and test the nitrate levels again and adjust accordingly.good way to get to know the reactor also.

Docg i'd be interestrd in knowing how many drops it take to get to a orp of - 150 i assume 20-30.
 
From what Bill says,the ORP Should be in the negative range of about -300. Not all ORP meters read in the negative range. Ted
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551010#post7551010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefrubble
From what Bill says,the ORP Should be in the negative range of about -300. Not all ORP meters read in the negative range. Ted
Click to expand...

Right,somewhere in the range of -50 to -300 i edit my post to reflect
the (-)
 
I will try cutting back my flow to 15 drops a minute and see what that does.

My ORP meter goes into the negatives. No problems there.
 
Wow, thanks for the advice guys. :thumbsup:

At about 9 last night, I dropped the drip rate to roughly 1 drop every 5 seconds or so. I just tested the water from the tank and the denitrifier, and there is a definate color change between the 2. I'll update later tonight or tomorrow.

DocG, please let us know how it works for you.

The vial on the left is from the denitrifier and the vial on the right is from the tank.
IMG_3397Medium.jpg

IMG_3398Medium.jpg
 
Eric
Glad to see it coming around.At this point i would be testing a alot intill it is stable.one way to tell if the orp is to low is to smell the testing cup for a rotton egg smell,if you smell this, turn the unit up a few drops.
 
Tell you what, no one is more glad than I at this moment. :lol:

I'll test later on today and see where it's at. I assume when it get's to zero, to slowly raise the drip rate and make sure the effluent is still 0, correct?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7552369#post7552369 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ereefic
Tell you what, no one is more glad than I at this moment. :lol:

I'll test later on today and see where it's at. I assume when it get's to zero, to slowly raise the drip rate and make sure the effluent is still 0, correct?
Click to expand...

I'll bet:)
For now or the next few days,i would be happy having 1/2 reduction out of the reactor as it builds up.you can go for 0 or as low as possible if you want. but i would keep it above 0 so you can see the changes and maximize the drip rate over the next few weeks.
 
After the reactor starts working ,has anyone noticed a significant reduction in algae,on their glass,and rocks? Ted
 
5 hours later, it looks like it is around 10ppm out of the denitrifier.

Pic isn't shot with the same setting as earlier pics, but think this shows the difference alot better.

IMG_3501Medium.jpg
 
I just set mine for 12 drops a minute or one every 5 seconds.

I am glad to see you are getting somewhere Eric.
 
Looking good Eric i'd run with that and test again later tommorow. maybe not make any adjustments intill your around 2.like Bill said make them slow.
 
I re-tested the effluent tonight about 10:30 and it is about 2-5mg/l. I upped the drip rate to about 1 drip per 3 sec. and i'll re-test in the morning.
 
great thread!!!

bill i pm'd you about D I Y nitrate reactor, i don't know the first thing about the reactor, my dad was old school, and don't take kindly to strange things...

but if it's true what i hear and what's on this thread you get immediate results, it maybe the only thing! and that's nice in this hobby...

and anyone one else if they want to help out, i want to make a Nitrate Reactor D I Y...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7556696#post7556696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ereefic
I re-tested the effluent tonight about 10:30 and it is about 2-5mg/l. I upped the drip rate to about 1 drip per 3 sec. and i'll re-test in the morning.
Click to expand...

Where are you at now?I hope your not getting impatient with it:D
I want to see that tank come down to 0 nitrate.Cause man my ca reactor sure would make a good sulfer reactor and aquamedic nitrate reductor sure would make a great extra large ca reactor:D
Plus i'm not ready to make the jump after reading failed results or very prolonged.Keep us updated:)
 
I just upped the drip a little more tonight after getting a reading of about 2mg/l out of the unit. Still not at a drop a sec. yet.
 
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