Poor Man's Nutrients Control - Donovan's Nitrate Destroyer

[Khaotic]

Donovan, I have a 200 gallon system approximately. Being twice the volume roughly of you system, would you recommend a unit with 4 chambers or 2 separate units running at the same time? I see there are a few people running monster sized systems, but would it be more efficient to have 2 separate units running in tandem? Thanks for the help!

Im achieving undetectable nitrates in a 300 gallon system with approximately 50 inches of reactor using 3 inch pipe and marine pure style bio balls.

 

[cchomistek]

Yup this is correct. I would say it is over 10 but not 25 on the salifert test kit.

 

[cchomistek]

Im achieving undetectable nitrates in a 300 gallon system with approximately 50 inches of reactor using 3 inch pipe and marine pure style bio balls.

How long did it take you to achieve the 0 effluent reading if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Khaotic]

How long did it take you to achieve the 0 effluent reading if you don't mind me asking?

The first test i did was 2 weeks after install and it was already 0. I set up my tank with 300lbs of old uncleaned sand so i was fairly suprised to be honest.

 

[cchomistek]

An hour after the recent addition of vodka and no change. My wife says closer to 25 ppm than 10 ppm. I am probably biased haha. But still no change from the last time I tested. So not sure I have much reduction going on really at this time. I have low flow through the reactor. I did have some mulm the one day but have not seen it since.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Im achieving undetectable nitrates in a 300 gallon system with approximately 50 inches of reactor using 3 inch pipe and marine pure style bio balls.

The one and only nitrate eating boa in thid hobby. Nice!

 

[Donovan Joannes]

An hour after the recent addition of vodka and no change. My wife says closer to 25 ppm than 10 ppm. I am probably biased haha. But still no change from the last time I tested. So not sure I have much reduction going on really at this time. I have low flow through the reactor. I did have some mulm the one day but have not seen it since.

Do you have phosphate?

 

[Khaotic]

I would maybe start dosing like 10ml of mb7 into the reactor daily before the vodka, i did that for a few weeks because i noticed i wasnt getting any bacteria slime out of my reactor. What did you initially seed with? I used biodigest

 

[cchomistek]

I initially seeded with Dr. Tim's waste away. I could get some mb7 possibly or try adding more bacteria. I do have phosphate as I said before it is around .12 ppm phosphate but probably higher as there is alot of cyano and saim hair algae on the back glass.

 

[cchomistek]

I initially seeded with Dr. Tim's waste away. I could get some mb7 possibly or try adding more bacteria. I do have phosphate as I said before it is around .12 ppm phosphate but probably higher as there is alot of cyano and saim hair algae on the back glass.

 

[cchomistek]

Sorry for the multiple posts...

 

[cchomistek]

I will say I have lots of bacteria in the system as my skimmer has been going crazy but not sure how much I have in my reactor. I will put the effluent into a filter sock next week once I get my socks in.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Kind of weird situation you are having @cchomistek. Any chances there is some air leakage on your 2nd chamber?. Output hose too big? Ozone/oxydator usage?

 

[cchomistek]

I agree it is weird. I could try and seal off the hose but it is pretty tight fit. No water leaking past the hose. All water coming out of the discharge hose. I did take the hose out when I had the mulm a few days ago by accident. Not sure if that would make much difference. Possibly some air got in at that point.

No ozone being used.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

I agree it is weird. I could try and seal off the hose but it is pretty tight fit. No water leaking past the hose. All water coming out of the discharge hose. I did take the hose out when I had the mulm a few days ago by accident. Not sure if that would make much difference. Possibly some air got in at that point.

No ozone being used.

Hmmm. Very strange indeed. There must be some glitches somewhere.

 

[cchomistek]

I agree rather odd. I guess I will let it go for awhile like this and maybe things will improve. I may order some different bacteria and possibly try and seed it with that as well.

I appreciate your help Donovan.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Waste away is detritus eating bacteria right?. You must use denitrifying bacteria to make it work. They are different strain if I am not mistaken. I used Prodibio, MB7, MB8 @nd even FM100 bacteria before and they all work fine in this reactor.

 

[cchomistek]

Yes you may be correct. I will get mb7. Do you think I will need to put new media in as this would be seeded with the waste away??

 

[Khaotic]

Yes you may be correct. I will get mb7. Do you think I will need to put new media in as this would be seeded with the waste away??

Rinsing with freshwater and allowing to dry should work just fine.

 

[Meo]

very interesting DIY project!

Ok for No3 reducing, but About PO4 level/reducing what can you tell us?