Biopellet reactor vs sulpher reactor

[Dexter_SA]

Hi guys....
Want to hear from you guys what are your thoughts of using a biopellet reactor vs a sulpher reactor. Ive been using biopellet for a while now but am struggling to get no3 down or to even keep it stable. So ive been pondering to switch over to sulpher.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

I have been using sulfur reactor for over 15 yrs and it has always kept my nitrate levels absolute 0 if I let it. But I normally keep at 5ppm.
I dumped biopellets within first year.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Dr Reef can you explain how you have your Nitrate reactor set up?

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

I have a Korallin Sulfur denitrator. Its a single chamber recirculating unit. Probably 2.5 ft high and about 10" round.
I have it 3/4 ways filled with sulfur and 1/4 the with coral media. You have to cycle the unit first by reducing the water flow through it like few drops per min. Once you start to see reduction in nitrates coming out of the reactor you can increase flow slowly and gradually. In my case its at full stream.
In fact i have to dose sodium nitrate to keep my tank nitrates at 5ppm.
You can see it on the left side of the pic next to the chiller.

 

[Dexter_SA]

I had mixed results with biopellets. In all honesty it depend what make of pellets i used. I have prity much tried all pellets available locally. Had the most success with npx..at the moment im trying tropic marine but thats not going to well.
Only thing about sulpher reactors theres not many reefers in south africa using them so knowledge is a bit limited.
Dr Reef do you run yours with a orp controller?

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

no orp controller. simply running on its own 24/7

 

[Dexter_SA]

ok cool...i have a skimz reactor i want to setup. But i see it has space for a orp controller.
i would imagine if you dont have a orp controller you will just have to fiddle untill you get it right
http://skimz.sg/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=70

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

orp is not needed in sulfur denitrator. its there for you to measure oxygen levels but honestly once you start this thing and have a slow drip rate all oxygen will be consumed and bacteria will take a hold. This is why you never throttle it but rather make small increaments.

 

[Dexter_SA]

Thanks for the help. Looks to me that sulpher is the way to go. Am tired of fiddling with my biopellet reactor.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

it will cycle withing 3-4 weeks and you will start to see reduction soon after.. make sure once you start seeing reduction in nitrates, let it go another week or 2 but then start to increase flow very very slowly and never throttle open too fast as it will loose the cycle.

 

[Dexter_SA]

Just another question. Can i feed the reactor from my return pump or is that to fast of flow? Im using a jecod dct 10000. Running about half way. Or would i need smaller pump to feed the reactor?
Oh yes..and i suppose the reactor should be on backup in case power fails?

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

backup for power failure its upto you, Nitrates wont climp high in case of power outage for few min to even days.
Regarding feed, you can use any feed source from your tank as reactor has valves to control the water flow.

 

[Sallstrom]

Before you throw away the biopellets you might want to try to run it with very low flow. We did this by accident once and the nitrate suddenly decreased really fast compared to when it was high flow through the reactor.
I guess the filter turned anoxic and other bacteria took over.

Otherwise sulphur reactors are great too! We use them as well. The only hard thing to achive is a steady flow IMO.

 

[Dexter_SA]

Thanks guys. Now to source sulpher locally. I might need to order online and get it shipped to me..

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Dr Reef what do you feed (pump) your reactor with?

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Comes off my main manifold driven by hammerhead pump. It runs all my reactors and skimmer plus chiller.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Ok thanks I have that reactor and I used it in the past, so now I have Kamoer adjustable peri pump, I will give that a try. Thanks for the help.

 

[Dexter_SA]

My sulphur reactor is up and running. I started it last week. I tested no3 this morning and my effluent is 0 coming out. My only concern is the ph coming from reactor is 7.4. Do i need to worry? In the reactor the last stage is running through calcium media. Any advise welcome

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Hi guys....
Want to hear from you guys what are your thoughts of using a biopellet reactor vs a sulpher reactor. Ive been using biopellet for a while now but am struggling to get no3 down or to even keep it stable. So ive been pondering to switch over to sulpher.

I've been back 1yr 6mo, right away started using sulfur denitrators, and love them, they start doing their job within 7-12days.
I just stopped using one because sprang a leak. But soon will be operating again.

 

[BZOFIQ]

My sulphur reactor is up and running. I started it last week. I tested no3 this morning and my effluent is 0 coming out. My only concern is the ph coming from reactor is 7.4. Do i need to worry? In the reactor the last stage is running through calcium media. Any advise welcome

Add re-born or other calcium reactor media in the upper portion of the reactor.