Kessil

DIY sulfur denitrator links?

Here
[ftp=ftp://[/ftp]http://www.bareefers.org/discussion/index.php?topic=2609.30[ftp


and
[ftp=ftp://[/ftp]http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=4537.15

[ftp]][/ftp]http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=4537.15

[ftp][/ftp]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1288082

[ftp=ftp://[/ftp]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1255658

[ftp]][/ftp]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1255658

[ftp][/ftp]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1036447
 
No links, just a google or two to figure out a little more about them, those commercial products that I've seen (expensive as all bloody hell too!) seem like they're nothing more than a calcium reactor setup with smaller inlets. Basically a pump to move water through, then a couple 1/4" tubes one in one out, and my guess is you dial it in to get the appropriate level reduction you need. Only difference is none of them show the aragonite sand that it flows throw afterwards, so maybe a dual chamber? *shrug* According to an AA article however apparently it's all bacterial in nature which reduces it (look at #7 http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm ).




That being said many things in this hobby seem easy... until you start trying to reverse engineer it :D
 
Yeah, that could probably work as well, only think I saw mentioned which worried me was one on wwm about it where the author replies to someone in a tone that hints of sulfur released into tank could spell bad news. Unsure how to circumvent that.
 
The most informative thread Ive read on them is http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=4537.15

I would think a phosban reactor is too small.

For about the same price you can easily make a home ro unit converted to a calcium reactor or a denitrifier. Its pretty simple. I dont have detailed pics right now, but they are basically a rodi filter canister that has a screw on top. The top has an input and output. Place a 1 inch tube under the cap to reach the bottom of the canister which will make the flow goi into the canister and to the bottom up through the media. . You can then cap the internal and external holes and then tap them to place 1/4 inch john guess connections.

This would cost about 30 bucks.



If you want it to be a recirc model, instead of capping the input and output, you can connect the two with pvc fittings and tubing. Then throw a quiet one pump in it. At the pvc fittings, tap them to add 1/4" john guess connections to have a input and output. A denitrator would probably run well with a aqualifter.

Recirc model will prob be 50-60$

Right now I made two of these, a large and medium size unit. Its currently being used as a dual stage CA reactor.
 
Lapsan seems to know a little bit as well, I believe he runs both sulfur media and Ca reactor media in the same chamber. I would imagine you could run one in sequence with a Phosphate reactor, I need to read a little more though I could be speaking from the booty.
 
[quote author=sfsuphysics link=topic=3463.msg39349#msg39349 date=1207021540]
Yeah, that could probably work as well, only think I saw mentioned which worried me was one on wwm about it where the author replies to someone in a tone that hints of sulfur released into tank could spell bad news. Unsure how to circumvent that.

[/quote]

If I recall from my readings, one negative affect on systems can be the build of hydrogen sulfide in the tank creating an ionic imbalance. However, GFO removes hydrogen sulfide in addition to phosphates. So if you already are using GFO in a phosban reactor, your good to go.

The only other negative affect Ive read is lowering of alk, but this may be something that occurs during the initial phase of the reactors usage. During the time it is bringing the entire tank volume down to zero. After this, I think your supposed to re-adjust the reactor to 'maintenance' mode which means its dialed back to keep in line with the amount of nitrate production of the your system.


This info is all based on my general recollection of articles that Ive read within the last week, so I could be wrong!
 
[quote author=tuberider link=topic=3463.msg39354#msg39354 date=1207022514]
Lapsan seems to know a little bit as well, I believe he runs both sulfur media and Ca reactor media in the same chamber. I would imagine you could run one in sequence with a Phosphate reactor, I need to read a little more though I could be speaking from the booty.
[/quote]

Many of the DIY people on RC are combining ARM CA with thier sulfur to buffer the PH and add a little CA. The guy on the link I previously posted uses a bio matrix media and much less sulfer then the RC people. His logic makes a lot more sense to me and would be what I try in my first attempt.He also uses an ORP meeting to fully see what is occuring the reactor which seems much more accurate then the methods described on the RC posts.
 
im running the midwest aquatic one and it works pretty darn good...it has an ehime pump to recirculate the water and an aqua lifter to feed it....the output ranges from 1-6 gtts per sec. depending on NO3 levels...water running through it is VERY slow...before we had it our tank was at a steady 15-20 ppm....in about 3 weeks dropped to undetectable..

Because the effluent is poor in O2, we did experience a drop in pH..(.4-.8 lower)

The product is great, but did put a large dent in the pocket...If i knew better i would have tried to DIY one...nonetheless, they are a great buy if you should decide to go that route..

Midwest aquatic sells all the media seperately for people who DIY there own..

you guys are welcome to come check it out if your ever in the area....
 
I tried the a Midwest sulfur denitrator and found it too hard to adjust :'. I tried it for about 9 months.I think Lapson disconnected his(DIY) too for the same reason. I now use the sugar dosing for the past few months. :eek: I feed 3-4 times a day and I think my tank is over stock with fish ::)
 
How about setting some time aside at the meeting for describing how to make a DIY denitrifier?
Maybe perry could show us??? Or have a clinic on a separate day. I still battle NO3.
 
I dont have a direct link, but its pretty much the exact same principle to this DIY CA reactor thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=587186&perpage=25&highlight=Mag&pagenumber=1

The housing for the CA reactor in that thread is a pretty large size. It would probably be a good size for your setup. It cost 55$ at lowes hardware. The denitrifier Im making is smaller, the same size as the 2nd stage of his reactor setup. (Shown on page two of that post) The smaller reactor is about 25 dollars.

My setup is a little different then his, but its pretty much the same concept.

-Add a pipe inside for current to have an upflow,
-place a pump to recirculate from the inlet and the outlet.
-Tap it to add john guest valves to add an water input and output.
 
I already have the correct size tapping drill bit. If you need, I can bring it to the meeting and you can drill it real quick there and save another 10 bucks.
 
Perf. :D A pic is worth a million words:

calciumreactor21.jpg


I want a denitrator for the ceph system, so I'll do a little digging and decide how to proceed. While I am at it, I'll prolly build a second stage for my Ca reactor on the reef system.

I do have a problem finding the clear housing canisters, I guess I will try Lowes which is kinda far away. OR...maybe an old magnum canister filter housing.
 
Of course, buying the corallife Ca reactor when I have to order other stuff from marinedepot is very, very attractive. It may cost another 50 or so bucks, but it comes with a recirc pump I won't have to drive around looking for parts, and I won't have to do much work to set it up. Hmmm.
 
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