sulphor beads or zeolite for denitrator

[tlc]

i am going to build my own canister denitrator. should i use sulphor beads or zeolite? it seem like they serve the same purpose..

 

[BLockamon]

If you use sulfur beads, you will not need to feed the bacteria. Using zeolite (or ceramic, bioballs, or other material) for surface area, you will need to feed the bacteria with vodka for sugar water to get the maximum benefit.

However, if using sulfur you will also need to add some calcium reactor media to bring the pH back up before returning it to the tank. When my denitrator is finished in a couple weeks, I'm going to try the new CaribSea NO-NO3 (a mixture of sulfur beads and ARM media). In either case, do some research. An improperly run unit (not enough flow...or too much flow) can produce harmful by-products like hydrogen sulfide gas or nitrites.

 

[tlc]

does the sulphor beads harbor a different bacteria?

 

[BLockamon]

Yes, the sulfur beads are going to harbor sulfate reducing bacteria. I don't know what the alcohol denitrators harbor, but since the nutrient is different, the bacteria that is favored will be different. Both get the job done though by creating an anerobic environment.