Water flow rate for anaerobic bacteria?

[dryworm]

Is there a guideline as to how slow the flow rate of water passing through sand or rock in order to get oxygen depletion for anaerobic bacteria to grow?

 

[Hermie]

Sorry I cannot be of more help, but just to offer, one really needs some way to measure the oxygen levels in the zone intended to be effected

 

[Dan_P]

Is there a guideline as to how slow the flow rate of water passing through sand or rock in order to get oxygen depletion for anaerobic bacteria to grow?

Do you want to grow anaerobic bacteria?

 

[dryworm]

Yes, I want to grow anaerobic bacteria. I'm not asking how to grow it . I understand how deep sand beds and denitrifiers work. I have a DIY project I want to experiment with but I don't know how slow the flow has to be or should I say the optimal flow rate.

 

[dryworm]

basically, I want a slow enough rate that anaerobic bacteria can process out the nitrates, but fast enough that I don't build up hydrogen sulfides (sulfur smell) in the reactor.

 

[Pntbll687]

check out Donovans nitrate destroyer in the DIY section. There should be some info on flow rates in that thread.

You could start with a higher flow rate and keep adjusting down. Say from 100gph to 50gph over the course of a month, and track your nitrates with each change made.

Just speculation on my part. But I would imagine nitrates would stop falling, and possible rise when you got to the "to slow of flow" area.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Is there a guideline as to how slow the flow rate of water passing through sand or rock in order to get oxygen depletion for anaerobic bacteria to grow?

ORP meter good start to determine oxygen levels at effluent exit.
Depending on flow anaerobic conditions can start 2-3mm, where water starts coming in contact with coral sand

 

[Dan_P]

basically, I want a slow enough rate that anaerobic bacteria can process out the nitrates, but fast enough that I don't build up hydrogen sulfides (sulfur smell) in the reactor.

I would look into the literature on coil denitrators. This will provide guidelines on flow rates and address sulfate reduction if nitrates are completely consumed. You will likely need to monitor nitrates coming out of the denitrator, adjusting flow so they are not completely consumed.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Is there a guideline as to how slow the flow rate of water passing through sand or rock in order to get oxygen depletion for anaerobic bacteria to grow?

Sand Bed or denitrator? Your project