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

cchomistek · Dec 28, 2017

I wonder if that is the reason why my skimmer has been going so crazy. Lots of excess waste away bacteria in the system.

Donovan Joannes · Dec 29, 2017

Skimmer will go nuts for a lot of things. Excess bacteria will surely make skimmer go crazy.

Donovan Joannes · Dec 29, 2017

Meo said:
very interesting DIY project!

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

As mentioned before, it does remove some phosphate (16:1 nitrate-phosphate ratio).

Khaotic · Dec 29, 2017

Meo said:
very interesting DIY project!

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

I will say that i am still running phosguard and will be switching to GFO cause i still have phosphates in my system.

Donovan Joannes · Dec 29, 2017

If you are keeping low phosphate, you must have phosphate removal method. I am using algae through (4" pipe 2' length cut into half). Harvested algae is fed to my tangs.

AbsoluteZer0273 · Dec 29, 2017

I had undetectable Po4 in my tank, but nitrates never lower than 80 ppm. I started to dose phosphate and my nitrates started to come down. Probably from algae growth in my refugium. Before I started adding phosphate (very slowly) my algae wouldn’t grow. I want to build one of these because I like these kinds of diy projects, and anything that helps with nitrate removal and coral food sounds good to me!

Donovan Joannes · Dec 29, 2017

Go ahead @AbsoluteZer0273, you might love it.

AbsoluteZer0273 · Dec 29, 2017

Donovan Joannes said:
@AbsoluteZer0273

Longer chambers will allow higher flow, hence faster turn over for a bigger tank. Two separate units should be slightly more efficient. If I were you, a 6" diameter pipe at 36" high (for total length of 72") sound promising.

Thanks Donovan! I will try the bigger size. I know it is all about dwell time and building an oxygen free zone large enough to effectively remove the nitrate. 6” pipe will be hard to fit under or behind my stand, I might have to get creative!

Donovan Joannes · Dec 29, 2017

AbsoluteZer0273 said:
Thanks Donovan! I will try the bigger size. I know it is all about dwell time and building an oxygen free zone large enough to effectively remove the nitrate. 6” pipe will be hard to fit under or behind my stand, I might have to get creative!

So far we have high rise towers, nitrate eating boa, quad chambers and a few other creative design. It is good to know that you have the idea how it works, you can comes up with a design that fits your need. Good luck!

Stlouphil · Dec 29, 2017

Donovan Joannes said:
Haha. You broke the record having the carbon dosing cap at second chamber . But 5 days is too early to see any result.

Couple days after setting it up correctly N03 down to 5 ppm from 15 ppm. Very pleased with results. My fish are going to be very happy. They are going to get fed much more frequently!

Donovan Joannes · Dec 29, 2017

Stlouphil said:
Couple days after setting it up correctly N03 down to 5 ppm from 15 ppm. Very pleased with results. My fish are going to be very happy. They are going to get fed much more frequently!

Congrats my friend!. Another happy customer

AbsoluteZer0273 · Dec 31, 2017

Hey Donavan, why don’t you like to use the plastic bioballs?

Donovan Joannes · Dec 31, 2017

AbsoluteZer0273 said:
Hey Donavan, why don’t you like to use the plastic bioballs?

Because it sounds so cheap

Seriously plastic bio ball doesn't have deep pores for denitrifying bacteria to thrive. You might end up with Donovan's Nitrate Multipliers instead. Plastic degradation is another factor I don't encourage it to be used.