Nitrate Reactors Vs Deep Sandbeds

[roxsburyrage]

I was wondering what everyone out thinks about using Nitrate reactors in a Reef tanks vs putting in a Deep Sandbed.I am starting to think about taking my Deep Sand bed out and going with a H& S 110SR to lower my nitrates.Which are around 10ppm.
I will probably leave the sand in my tank just taking it out of my Refudge.What do the experts think about that.My Sand bed is now over two years old and I have noticed a increase in Algae that was not there before.Do you think by removing the sand bed is a good or bad idea.I want to hear you thoughts .
Thanks

 

[McCrary]

Sand beds need to be "recharged" because small particles get into the DSB and prevent exchange between the bacteria and the water. If you can't get the nitrates down with less feedings and such a nitrate reactor might be a good idea.

 

[Bruno3047]

I'm sold on having a nitrate reactor with an SSB.

 

[Tweaker]

put the deep sand bed in the Refugium then put Nitrate Reactor on main tank that how i have it

 

[tonyespinoza]

anyone used the new Deltec Nitrate reactors? i assume they don't run sulfer in those...

 

[sdfish]

is a nitrate reactor the same as a denitrator?

 

[roxsburyrage]

Tweaker doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a reactor.I would think they would both be competing with each other and causing the anaerobic bacteria to die off in the Deep Sand Bed.My Deep Sand bed is in the Fudge about 7 inches deep in a 75 gallon sump with Macro growing as well.I have some sand in my main tank but not more than 2 inches of very fine sand just to have a place for my bugs and pods and worms to live.I am not 100% sure about that but I would think that might cause some issues.How long have you had yours running together.

 

[Tweaker]

I have bin run that about 6 months no problem 1- 2 inch bed in main tank heavy fish load

 

[roxsburyrage]

I see a lot of life in my deep sandbed.I have plenty of pods,worms,snails,brittle stars.What else would the sandbed need.

 

[roxsburyrage]

I see a lot of life in my deep sandbed.I have plenty of pods,worms,snails,brittle stars.What else would the sandbed need.

 

[glassbox-design]

Look into remote DSBs. Effective de-nitrification with little cost.

 

[roxsburyrage]

Remote DSB?

 

[andy51632]

I think he means some of those diy 5 gallon bucket deally bobbers. Where you pump water into a 5gallon bucket full of sand then let it drain back to your sump by installing a bulkhead. That way you can just dump old sand and add new when DSB is full of nutrients. Don't know if it works but sounds good.

 

[agetr]

i have a midwest aquatics nitrate reactor and i love it. works great.

 

[King-Kong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12742262#post12742262 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andy51632
I think he means some of those diy 5 gallon bucket deally bobbers. Where you pump water into a 5gallon bucket full of sand then let it drain back to your sump by installing a bulkhead. That way you can just dump old sand and add new when DSB is full of nutrients. Don't know if it works but sounds good.

They work.

Theyre easy, cheap, mobile... lots of benefits.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12752823#post12752823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by King-Kong
They work.

Theyre easy, cheap, mobile... lots of benefits.

+1, they work

 

[roxsburyrage]

How long does the bucket tend to last before it need to be changed out.

 

[OCEAN SIZE]

I've read up on both and am going to plan both in my next system (RDSB and a sulfur denitrator). I intend to do the RDSB first to give it time to get going. I also plan a display SSB and perhaps a DSB in my fuge too.

You should/can plumb 2 RDSB's so if one has to be taken offline, the other is still cultivating the anaerobic bacteria... good practice from what I've read.

I think both perform the same function. The RDSB costs parts $$ too, but less expensive and there's no dialing in or maintaining it like the denitrators seem to need.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12755942#post12755942 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by roxsburyrage
How long does the bucket tend to last before it need to be changed out.

Depends on the system i guess, A few years...

 

[Mikigo]

Is there a minimal amount of sand needed per size of the aquarium?