sulfur denitrator?
- Thread starter vincent1972
- Start date
vincent1972
New member
who know something about using the aqua medix nr400 or sr400 denitrators?
machodik
Active member
I use Sulfur denitrator and it is the only one that bring down my No3 from 20 ppm to now 2.5 ppm. because I dont make max flow or else I am pretty sure it will goes to 0 NO3.
although the only problem for sulfur denitrator is eating up your alk. I have to dose baking soda of about 35 gms. everweek. now is trying Kalwasser if this will maintain and stabilizes my alk wihout adding baking soda every week.
I have found out if I slow down the flow, I smell rotten egg odor (sulfur hydrogen gas) but when I make the flow faster it gone.
I have tried vodka / vinegar for about 4 to 5 months in the past but it did not drop my nitrates and retain at 20 ppm or highier, and casue some odor in the water that is why I switch to sulfur denitrator.
just some contribution .
cheers,
although the only problem for sulfur denitrator is eating up your alk. I have to dose baking soda of about 35 gms. everweek. now is trying Kalwasser if this will maintain and stabilizes my alk wihout adding baking soda every week.
I have found out if I slow down the flow, I smell rotten egg odor (sulfur hydrogen gas) but when I make the flow faster it gone.
I have tried vodka / vinegar for about 4 to 5 months in the past but it did not drop my nitrates and retain at 20 ppm or highier, and casue some odor in the water that is why I switch to sulfur denitrator.
just some contribution .
cheers,
vincent1972
New member
i want to start up a sulfurdenitrator , i can buy one (aquamedic) but i don't know if they are any good? or should i build one myself?
vincent1972
New member
i can buy the denitrator for 40$
Dosing vinegar does not lower alkalinity; it adds acetate which is alkalinity but the process of making acetic acid into acetae makes a water molecule using hydroxide and that takes away and equivalent amount of alkalinity. Thus , the net sum effect on alkalinity of is 0.
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Sulfur( not an organic carbon source) in a hypoxic setting like a reactor , on the other hand, does drop alkalinity .
The simplified version of the reaction from the sulfur bacteria's activity uses water ,sulfur and nitrate adding H+ along with SO4 and N2; the H increases acidity.(2 H2O +5 S +6NO3 -----> 3N2 +5SO4 +4H+) There is a small amount of CO2 used and and a small amount of an organic, presumably bacterial mass, produced in the full version.
Also, I think, the sulfur reaction by autotrophic sulfur bacteria converts NO3 to N2 without the equivalent bicarbonate alkalinity put back by NO3( which makes up for the H+ added from ammonia NH3 reduction in the nitrogen cycle).
When NO3 is reduced to N/N2 in the anaerobic phase of the nitrogen cycle it adds bicarbonate alkalinity equivalent to the H previously added by the ammonia whence the NO3 came. So this alk put back step is shorted out by the sulfur reaction and the effect on alkalinity from the ammonia is not offset as it would be in the usual denitrification situation where the bacteria involved are heterotrophic. Just like rmoving nitrate via water changes can lead to alk drops over time .
It's not a reason not to use a sulfur denitrator as dosing extra alk can easily remedy it; just something to monitor and account for in alk dosing.
The simplified version of the reaction from the sulfur bacteria's activity uses water ,sulfur and nitrate adding H+ along with SO4 and N2; the H increases acidity.(2 H2O +5 S +6NO3 -----> 3N2 +5SO4 +4H+) There is a small amount of CO2 used and and a small amount of an organic, presumably bacterial mass, produced in the full version.
Also, I think, the sulfur reaction by autotrophic sulfur bacteria converts NO3 to N2 without the equivalent bicarbonate alkalinity put back by NO3( which makes up for the H+ added from ammonia NH3 reduction in the nitrogen cycle).
When NO3 is reduced to N/N2 in the anaerobic phase of the nitrogen cycle it adds bicarbonate alkalinity equivalent to the H previously added by the ammonia whence the NO3 came. So this alk put back step is shorted out by the sulfur reaction and the effect on alkalinity from the ammonia is not offset as it would be in the usual denitrification situation where the bacteria involved are heterotrophic. Just like rmoving nitrate via water changes can lead to alk drops over time .
It's not a reason not to use a sulfur denitrator as dosing extra alk can easily remedy it; just something to monitor and account for in alk dosing.
vincent1972
New member
i have bought it.
now i want it to switch on my system but i don't know how to start .
can anyone tell me how to start up a sulphur denitrator?
thx
now i want it to switch on my system but i don't know how to start .
can anyone tell me how to start up a sulphur denitrator?
thx
This thread has lots of information including detailed start up instruction:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1288082&highlight=alkalinity
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1288082&highlight=alkalinity
