Deltec NF509 nitrate sulphur reactor setup

[dimidragos]

Hello, i'm in my way to cycle my 125g tank mix reef , almost one month since i start. I notice a nitrate level around 30-50ppm now and i plan to start to use an algae reactor and a nitrate filter. I will use a Deltec NF509 nitrate sulphur reactor.

I wonder if i MUST use a calcium reactor in same line after the nitrate reactor??

Deltec recommend a prelastic pump to feed this reactor but i see that they are very pricey i don't believe i will afford one soon.
Can i use a normal feeding pump and a ball valve to adjust the proper flow??

I have a pellet reactor also but i decide to use the sulphur reactor because i believe it's more easy to use and will not stripe so much the nutrients from water.

What it's your opinion about useing algae + sulphur reactor in a new established sank ?

I will appreciate your help to solve this issues. Thanks

 

[Subsea]

On a new tank, I see no big problem with the high nitrate reading. Allow your biofilter to catch up. Are you having serious outbreaks of nuisance algae which is a normal part of a cycle. While I agree with the vegetable filter, IMO, the anaerobic digestion of nitrate with sulfide bacteria is not without inherent risk. You would be much better served using facultative bacteria in a low oxygen environment. The Jaubert Plenum was designed for that purpose. However, more recently in Reef Aquarium, Volumn 3, Sprigs & Delbrick stated that nitrification and denitrification happen in close proximity of each other in a process called “coupling”. While I believe this to be true, it would be difficult to isolate and prove which was more prevalent.

Of course you can use both with no issues except money and work to maintain the equipment.

 

[dimidragos]

I don't have any algae in tank now...But if the value of nitrate it's 25ppm with live stock in i will be not so worry in begin. I'm worry that i see 25-50ppm without live stock and i reed that this sulphure reactor take up to 1-2 months to start denitrification procces

 

[Subsea]

I don't have any algae in tank now...But if the value of nitrate it's 25ppm with live stock in i will be not so worry in begin. I'm worry that i see 25-50ppm without live stock and i reed that this sulphure reactor take up to 1-2 months to start denitrification procces

Do you have a tank thread/journal?

The more important point here is where is this nitrate coming from? What did you cycle this tank with? What was your phosphate reading? Macro algae biomass is 560:30:1 with respect to C:N. Why go into anarobic digestion chemistry when macro uses nitrogen & phosphorous in the ratio of 30:1. Macro is a sponge, meaning it will absorb what is in the water.

 

[Subsea]

Without knowing more about your methodology of reefkeeping, it is difficult to give pertinent advice. As a reefkeeper for almost 50 years, I do not require nutrient export. The reef tank inhabitants sequester nutrients into biomass and grow. When I want to do nutrient export, I frag coral and remove it.

My 75G display has been set up for 25 years. My 120G new build at 7 months.

 

[dimidragos]

Thanks a lot, i'm beginner and i don't have much chemistry knowledge. I have some started threads where you can see the short history of my tank. I don't know why i didn't start a journal, maybe because i'm not so good to write...i think you notice that i'm not an native english writer... If you have the time and plessure watch my threads and i believe you will understand more. I will appreciate alot, i'm still confuse about alot of things

 

[dimidragos]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/start-cycle-the-tank-no-amonia-spike.415317/

I think here you find more details, if you need some more just ask me. The level of phosphate was all time 0 acording with my Salifert test

 

[dimidragos]

You have very nice tanks. Congratulations !! For me it's strange that i almost don't see witch one is the new one. It's unbelievable how looks after 7 months...I will be happy if mine will be half same after one year

 

[Subsea]

You have very nice tanks. Congratulations !! For me it's strange that i almost don't see witch one is the new one. It's unbelievable how looks after 7 months...I will be happy if mine will be half same after one year

Thank you for the compliment. With 50 years experience and more than 1000G of tank’s, I have access to quite a lot. It was fun and easy to set the 120G tank up. I mimicked PaulB’s reverse flow undergravel filter.

Second picture is 7 month old tank.