Sulphur reactor experiences

[Beats001]

Hi all, I have setup a new sulphur reactor it has been running for over a month now. I have a nitrite spike in the effluent from the reactor. I have read this is normal during cycling, but wandering how long this goes on for?

The nitrite messes with my nitrate test kits so I can't determine the nitrate levels in the effluent. I could add some bacteria microbacter7, but am reluctant to do so.

Let me know your experiences with such Reactors.

 

[Flippers4pups]

There's quite a bit of info on Reef2Reef on these. If you use the search function, you'll likely find a great deal of info.

Here's a thread to give you a taste:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-sulfur-denitrator-working-great.316251/

 

[Beats001]

There's quite a bit of info on Reef2Reef on these. If you use the search function, you'll likely find a great deal of info.

Here's a thread to give you a taste:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-sulfur-denitrator-working-great.316251/

Thanks, but couldn't find the info I was looking for. Specifically dialing in the reactor and nitrite spikes.
I'm interested in the science too if anyone knows.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Thanks, but couldn't find the info I was looking for. Specifically dialing in the reactor and nitrite spikes.
I'm interested in the science too if anyone knows.

Which reactor do you have?

 

[Beats001]

Which reactor do you have?

It's a diy reactor, with 3/4 sulphur and 1/4 arm media. With an adjustable valve to restrict the flow. Really simple. I'm hoping the nitrite will go soon, but I'm a bit confused by it all, because, it was my understanding that nitrite is converted to nitrate by aerobic bacteria and nitrate is converted by anaerobic bacteria. Inside the reactor is supposed to be anaerobic. The input to the reactor has zero nitrite, so its being produced in the reactor. It was also my understanding that ammonia is converted to nitrite by aerobic bacteria, so I must have the wrong bacteria. Presumably because the conditions are not anaerobic / anoxic enough.

Maybe I need to reduce flow to 1 drop every 3 secs.
It's difficult to keep the drip rate consistent and if you increase too much, I'm guessing the anaerobic bacteria gets too much oxygen and dies.

I will reserve judgement for a bit longer tho.
Anyone with knowledge please cherp in.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I have used these before and the trouble with them is getting a reliable 24/7 adjustable feed pump. I just purchase a new
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fx-stp-peristaltic-dosing-pump-kamoer.html pump these are on sale at BRS they usually do not go on sale. If your flow is too fast it does not lower your nitrate too slow and it smells like rotten eggs very bad.

 

[Beats001]

I have used these before and the trouble with them is getting a reliable 24/7 adjustable feed pump. I just purchase a new
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fx-stp-peristaltic-dosing-pump-kamoer.html pump these are on sale at BRS they usually do not go on sale. If your flow is too fast it does not lower your nitrate too slow and it smells like rotten eggs very bad.

I just have a Chinese pump with a valve in the middle of the tubing. It seems to gradually slow the drip rate. No big deal tho, I can just adjust.
I still cannot test the effluent, as it ha nitrite in it.
But I tested my tank water an the nitrates are going down.
The problem is I cannot definitively say it is the sulphur reactor. The reason I say that, is because I also introduced a deep sand bed, using figi pink live sand.
I will know better when this nitrite spike goes away.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

It is all about reliability, I had a Deltec Alcohol based Nitrate Reactor between the dodgy Aqua Bee pump the Tom's Aqua lifter than a noisy Deltec 24/7 peri pump, I kept having to take it apart to fix something, so yeah its sits in the garage now.

 

[Beats001]

It is all about reliability, I had a Deltec Alcohol based Nitrate Reactor between the dodgy Aqua Bee pump the Tom's Aqua lifter than a noisy Deltec 24/7 peri pump, I kept having to take it apart to fix something, so yeah its sits in the garage now.

I know what you mean. Still got nitrite spike, with around 1 drip per second. Dunno how long this is gonna go on for.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

For the science part I would google that, I have seen some real good discussions on it.

 

[Beats001]

For the science part I would google that, I have seen some real good discussions on it.

I can't find info online regarding the nitrite in the effluent. Been over 2 weeks now.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

https://www.geosreef.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/geo-nitrate-reducing-reactor-instructions.pdf basic instruction

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

https://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/advanced-topics/90524-nitrate-reactor-experience-so-far.html
Sorry have you tried the advance thread. Randy Holmes

 

[Beats001]

https://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/advanced-topics/90524-nitrate-reactor-experience-so-far.html
Sorry have you tried the advance thread. Randy Holmes

I've done several searches. But thanks

 

[ReeferNtraining]

I know this is an old thread but I just want to explain what the nitrite issue is for anyone searching sulfur de-nitrators in the future. Aerobic bacteria follows normal denitrification that we all are aware of Ammonia>Nitrite>Nitrate. However, when autotrophic anaerobic bacteria consumes nitrate, it is converted back to nitrite. This really confused me too when I was cycling my de-nitrator. Nitrites went up to almost 1.0 in the tank before I caught it. The best way to combat this is to drip the effluent out of the tank at less than 1 drip/second and replace saltwater into the tank. This should only take a week or so until you are getting 0 nitrite and 0 nitrate out of the effluent.