My new sulphur denitrator setup

danny zubot · #1 02-12-2007, 06:55 PM

Very cool thread, I'm learning a lot.

Quote:

Technically I think you're better off not relying on the denitrator to replenish Ca and Alk on a heavy Ca drawing bioload (ie. SPS, clams, etc.).

Further to this comment; Could you use the system to work as a Ca reactor on a smaller tank? I've been debating building a coil denitrator for some time now, but this contraption would serve two purposes for my tank if it could be configured to work.

Delphinus · #2 02-12-2007, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny zubot

Further to this comment; Could you use the system to work as a Ca reactor on a smaller tank? I've been debating building a coil denitrator for some time now, but this contraption would serve two purposes for my tank if it could be configured to work.

You could, but I still think it's not the greatest idea. The reason is you're trying to tune it to reduce nitrate (and the fact that it adds some Ca/Alk is just a happy bonus), not trying to tune it to maintain Ca/Alk levels in the tank. Ie., Ca and Alk will get used up at rate "X", NO3 will be added at rate "Y", you want to tune your sulfur reactor to match "Y" and you're stuck with whatever Ca+Alk rate that it produces. If that's less than "X" then it's not going to maintain the tanks Ca and Alk. Whereas the Calcium reactor is directly tunable to the Ca and Alk.

danny zubot · #3 02-12-2007, 07:59 PM

Hmm, ok. I'd still be interested to see what Ca levels come out of the unit.

Thanks though,

andestang · #4 02-13-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

You could, but I still think it's not the greatest idea. The reason is you're trying to tune it to reduce nitrate (and the fact that it adds some Ca/Alk is just a happy bonus), not trying to tune it to maintain Ca/Alk levels in the tank. Ie., Ca and Alk will get used up at rate "X", NO3 will be added at rate "Y", you want to tune your sulfur reactor to match "Y" and you're stuck with whatever Ca+Alk rate that it produces. If that's less than "X" then it's not going to maintain the tanks Ca and Alk. Whereas the Calcium reactor is directly tunable to the Ca and Alk.

This brings up what I was wondering. I have a MoCalc 300 and was thinking of trying this idea. But could you try and acheive what you want for Ca/Alk and have the reduction of what ever amount for a reduction of nitrate ?

Psyire · #5 02-13-2007, 05:45 AM

Well if your drip rate is too fast then it will not function properly and if it is too slow you will get H2S created in the reactor... so that's probably not a good idea.

Your Ca production will also flucuate with your nitrate level reduction so it would be very difficult to get it constant. (unlike a CO2 bubble counter w/ solenoid control)

Psyire · #6 02-13-2007, 05:45 AM

I hooked the reactor up to my system tonight, my starting nitrate level in the tank is just under 50ppm

Delphinus · #7 02-14-2007, 04:55 AM

Can you take some ORP readings? I'd like to know what's a good baseline. I don't have an ORP monitor but I have an ozonizer with ORP controller so I could probably use that for some rudimentary readings (or see if there's someone with a monitor I could borrow). I'm about ready to just crap can my whole reactor. Just tired of the lack of results. Wish I knew what was wrong with the way I'm running it.

Psyire · #8 02-14-2007, 04:33 PM

I can, it will be a bit though, I just had enough time to roughly plumb it to my system. I'll be setting it up more permanent with probes soon.