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

[Donovan Joannes]

Here is my version of your awesome idea. I had some extra marinepure cubes laying in my sump. Do you think I will have an issue using some of that in the reactor?

Solidly built, must be earthquake proof in mind . MP should do the job but I am not so sure about the leaching I have read somewhere.

The outlet pipe is kind of huge BTW. We try to minimise O2 exposure inside the second reactor. A much smaller pipe/hose is preferable as the flow is quite low.

 

[Matthias7]

Ahh perfect ty will be easy to throttle the output down to a 1/4 in tube. I wondered why the output size was so small. Thx for the information

 

[Donovan Joannes]

As a gentle reminder, you should set the effluent outflow at maximum of 5% of total volume per day for a start. Not trickling, a fine stream is about right. Keep your nose open, if it smell likes somebody has farted in there, increase the flow a bit more.

 

[Elgringodiablo]

About a week after installing one of these my nitrates have dropped from about 60 to roughly 20. Using the Red Sea test, which is likely the most reliable, but terrible high range resolution.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

About a week after installing one of these my nitrates have dropped from about 60 to roughly 20. Using the Red Sea test, which is likely the most reliable, but terrible high range resolution.

Wow!. That is quite impressive for a week old denitrator. Congrats!

 

[TNT32D]

This is great! I was thinking of buying or building a sulfur reactor till I saw this. Thank you

 

[Donovan Joannes]

This is great! I was thinking of buying or building a sulfur reactor till I saw this. Thank you

Glad that you like my design. Do share your build and experiences.

 

[TNT32D]

Will do. Can this work for freshwater as well?

 

[TNT32D]

Hello
Is there anything separating the media in the two chambers?

What size is the union nipple that connects the two chamber?

Thank you

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Will do. Can this work for freshwater as well?

Should be but not sure how effective it will be.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Hello
Is there anything separating the media in the two chambers?

What size is the union nipple that connects the two chamber?

Thank you

No separating media, the different media is mainly for bacteria colonisation with ease of flow in mind. You can use 1" nipple to link the two chambers.

 

[Tileboss]

That is impressive

 

[Donovan Joannes]

That is impressive

Can't go wrong if properly done. I built quite a number for LFS and friends and none failed. As long as carbon source is available, the party keep going.

 

[TNT32D]

Did I read correctly that bio balls not made of plastic? Thank you.

 

[TNT32D]

How thick are each media zones if chamber is 18" high?

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Did I read correctly that bio balls not made of plastic? Thank you.

Yes, not the plastic media ball. Ceramic bio media (balls and rings type).

 

[Donovan Joannes]

How thick are each media zones if chamber is 18" high?

It doesn't really matter, as long as the sizes are correct and arranged loosely for good flow you are fine. Make sure rings are used at the bottom where the chambers are connected for proper flow. If you are using pumice stones at the last section, each layer must be less than 1" thick, sandwiched in-between balls/rings.

 

[TNT32D]

Thank you! Sorry I have another question? How to you prevent the crushed coral medium from mixing with the ceramic rings in the second chamber? Thank you!

 

[TNT32D]

Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong medium crushed coral? Lol. Thx

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong medium crushed coral? Lol. Thx

No issue with crushed coral too. I am using crushed coral at second chambers (two layers), but the size must be coarse enough. Too small it will restrict water movement once bacteria gets denser. When your nitrate is high, bacteria population are huge and will decrease overtime.