Hi,
I was experimenting with methanol denitrator for a while, had a chance to observe various phases of denitrification and learned some do's and donT's.
Currently I am trying denitrification in a reactor (Its actually a calcium reactor, but using it as denitrator). I filled the reactor with siporax and added aquarium water containing about 10 ppm nitrates. It started circulation and continued this way, about two weeks. Nitrites started to appear and slightly increased, then get stuck at the point where they are. After another week, no progress were recorded so I decided to add 0.5 ml of Methanol. Next day, both nitrates and nitrites doubled from where they are, and the following day, both disappared, indicating completion of denitrification.
Now my question is, its crystal clear that denitrification cannot be completed without carbon, then, can someone explain to me, where the relevant bacterias are finding the necessary carbon from, in a more or less standard-equipped (PS, rocks, sand, fishes, corals, daily fed, etc.) aquarium?
I was experimenting with methanol denitrator for a while, had a chance to observe various phases of denitrification and learned some do's and donT's.
Currently I am trying denitrification in a reactor (Its actually a calcium reactor, but using it as denitrator). I filled the reactor with siporax and added aquarium water containing about 10 ppm nitrates. It started circulation and continued this way, about two weeks. Nitrites started to appear and slightly increased, then get stuck at the point where they are. After another week, no progress were recorded so I decided to add 0.5 ml of Methanol. Next day, both nitrates and nitrites doubled from where they are, and the following day, both disappared, indicating completion of denitrification.
Now my question is, its crystal clear that denitrification cannot be completed without carbon, then, can someone explain to me, where the relevant bacterias are finding the necessary carbon from, in a more or less standard-equipped (PS, rocks, sand, fishes, corals, daily fed, etc.) aquarium?
