Sulfur DeNitrators

[steved350]

Any new updates on the Denitrator?

 

[virgin reefer]

I am still pondering the diatom filter, however, there is a nagging feeling that it is only a band aid and not a long term solution to my problems. I am seriousley considering a Sulfer DeNitrifier from Midwest. I have just started my research but looks to good to be true, ofcourse the price is a little harsh....but if it really does what it says....

My nitrates are still over 50 ppm and I have been doing water changes 2x a week for months. I think my live rock is holding the nitrates and leaching them back out. If I look at my cost of the tank the denitrifier looks more appealing.

Lindsay

BTW 90G with 75G sump, tunze skimmer, 440 VHO, yada...yada.

 

[Sullyman]

Have you used a powerhead to blow the rocks out, do that before water changes and do it til no more silt comes out of your rocks and they won't be leaching anymore.

 

[virgin reefer]

I use a turkey baster, and I have used the powerhead by hand to blow the rocks. Main problem with that is the LPS hates the movement. I do it as part of my maintenance but it seems no matter how much I do it...never helps.

I also stirred up my fuge and did a water change out on that part of my sump (about 35G), I was told that the nitrates could be held in there. Had never done it because of my Mandarin but since he has long been gone....

I want a wave powerhead to put at the bottom of the tank and face it up through the back of my rocks....the one I really like though is like $150 and I can't spend that on a PH.

My main ?'s with the nitrifier is:

1) does it replace dosing calcium/ALK at least in part.
2) Is there anywhere in Ontario Canada that sells them.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Sullyman]

It won't help your calcium. Have you considered Vodka or other products like macrobachter7 to help get rid of the nitrate?

 

[virgin reefer]

If I read any more posts my eyes are going to fall out...Man I love this Hobby.

 

[virgin reefer]

I did consider vodka, just to worried I would add too much. I never did hear of the macrobachter7??? Off to search again I guess. Is the spelling right because no topics on google or reefcentral...except yours..LOL

Thanks Sully

 

[Sullyman]

It's microbachter7 a Brigtwell product but there are others.

 

[debbieraptor]

problems with sulfur denitrator

problems with sulfur denitrator

Hi Folks:
I purchased a sulfur denitrator from midwest aquatics about three months ago. Had problems getting it to cycle. I suspect it is the Eheim pump. How can you tell if the water is circulating under the grate in the column? I took a flashlight and tried to see if the water is moving, but I just can't tell. I have this unit on my tank for a month, never cycled, then Midwest sent me another unit, ( not the pump, just the plastic columns and valves) and I started all over again. It is now 5 days, and the nitrate reading from the effluent is more than the tank. Nitrate effleunt is over 100 ppm and the tank water is 50 ppm. Can anyone help me here? I want this to work, but I can't seem to pinpoint the trouble. The company said I could return the unit for a refund, but I would like to analyze what is wrong. The drip rate is 1 drop per second for the last 5 days. Any suggestions or comments will be helpful.
Deb

 

[spooda420]

give it some time.

if you looking to see the flow pattern, I dont see what one drop of blue food coloring could hurt.

mine worked flawlessly right out of the box.

 

[skydancer]

Hi Folks:
I purchased a sulfur denitrator from midwest aquatics about three months ago. Had problems getting it to cycle. I suspect it is the Eheim pump.
Deb

If the shaft is broken the pump will not circulate water. I had this problem once. Thinking that water was circulating and the effluent stunk badly!!

I 'd recommend opening the eheim and check the shaft. Then open the unit, rinse all the media good, and start over. The nitrates of the unit should never be higher than the tank water.... unless you have a stagnent environment inside the unit.

 

[redbaronred]

please read below

 

[redbaronred]

If the shaft is broken the pump will not circulate water. I had this problem once. Thinking that water was circulating and the effluent stunk badly!!

I 'd recommend opening the eheim and check the shaft. Then open the unit, rinse all the media good, and start over. The nitrates of the unit should never be higher than the tank water.... unless you have a stagnent environment inside the unit.

I have kind of same problem. I started cycling more than 1 month ago and after 1 month I realized my eheim didnt work. I changed eheim with Aquabee 1000. I didnt rinse media which was inside of denitrifier from 1 month with aquarium water.Now I have stream bottom of unit but my effulient is too high of nitrite/nitrate.(100ppm and 5 ppm). this is my 7th day and I inject 25 ml of vodka.

what can I do more,:sad2:

 

[redbaronred]

And please advice my ratio between sulphur and arm media is too wrong or not, do have to get out some sulphur from Sulphur denitrator.

 

[skydancer]

the amount of surfur is determined by the following:

once you get your tank nitrates to zero, you need to determine the amount of sulfur for "maintenance". I would take half of the sulfur media out (do not wash media) and see if the new ammount can maintain the zero nitrates... if not add more until you're maintaining the zero...
measure the tank nitrates weekly not daily

 

[skydancer]

I have kind of same problem. I started cycling more than 1 month ago and after 1 month I realized my eheim didnt work. I changed eheim with Aquabee 1000. I didnt rinse media which was inside of denitrifier from 1 month with aquarium water.Now I have stream bottom of unit but my effulient is too high of nitrite/nitrate.(100ppm and 5 ppm). this is my 7th day and I inject 25 ml of vodka.

what can I do more,:sad2:

you are to wash the media and not supposed to add vodka or anything else to the reactor...

 

[redbaronred]

you are to wash the media and not supposed to add vodka or anything else to the reactor...

Skydancer, I get zero nitrate at output finally, if I set drip as 1 drip per 2 second. It is fine for me beacuse it says I m maturing. I hope I will get 2 drop per secont in near future.

 

[martinphillip03]

I am now the proud owner of a 3 month old Midwest Aquatic Sulfur Denitrifier. I plan on reading the manual, rinsing the media, and hooking that sucker up.
Should I contact Midwest Aquatic to see if I can get the seeding bacteria. Or just wait a month or so.
Nitrates are only 30. But for a reef tank I have to many fish.

Marty


I 'd recommend opening the eheim and check the shaft. Then open the unit, rinse all the media good, and start over. The nitrates of the unit should never be higher than the tank water.... unless you have a stagnent environment inside the unit.[/QUOTE]

 

[martinphillip03]

Took the media out rinsed it in fresh water. Thank goodness when I put it together, it lined up correctly. Started the syphon. Running it unrestricted for 24 hours. Then the process begins

Marty

 

[martinphillip03]

Yesterday turned it down to a dropp a second. Checked on it hourly and had to readjust. Adjusted again this morning. I would like to get a prefilter on my intake line. Also I would like to redo my drain line. I am also doing to buy one of those Luft pumps

Marty