Coil Denitrator w/out a coil?

[okayamapiper]

I've run coil denitrators over the years but usually end up giving up as the coils get clogged, but I noticed Maxspects nano-tech biospheres which have incredible surface area for bacteria to colonize and was wondering if I could merely fill a column with theses ball and run tank water from the top to bottom slowly and get the same effect without worrying about blockage. Has anyone out there tried this?

 

[Ron Reefman]

It's a very interesting idea. I made a coil denitrator many years ago for my 425g system (180g tank, 75g tank and 180g sump/fuge/DSB). It worked OK, but like you, it clogged.

 

[John Biddle]

You guys need to read this thread. It's very long, 50 pages, but full of great info on exactly this idea, how it works, how to tweak it, etc. Well worth the time.