Deltec nitrate fluid

[WillpoleReefers]

Having had something of a nitrate issue due to fairly high fish bioload and over feeding I am just getting a Deltec NFP512 nitrate reactor set up, been going a month using Deltec Nitrate Fluid. I am switching from bags for the nutrient fluid to a dosing pump, did not like the bags as the second one failed at the stopper fitting while being filled, not ideal. Anyway it’s apparently running well now after a slow start, though the Deltec instructions imply a faster start than I think is likely for most. At 4 weeks in it’s up to 4.8 ml per minute throughput and this week I can reliably increase flow every 2 days while maintaining zero nitrate output.

My question is whether people think I really need to use Deltec nitrate fluid? It seems to be a mix of methanol, ethanol and other alcohols plus amino acids? Alcohols are of course available here. Any deals how to replicate their fluid and if there really is much benefit doing this vs using straight ethanol?

Steve

 

[X-37B]

No need to feed the sulfer media.
I run a deltec 509 on my ext 170.
DEltec says its not needed or recommended.
I just set it up last week.
I am running 5mlm which is 60 drops per min on my Kamoer.

 

[WillpoleReefers]

Thanks. Mine is not the sulphur media type, hence the feeding.

 

[doninla]

Having had something of a nitrate issue due to fairly high fish bioload and over feeding I am just getting a Deltec NFP512 nitrate reactor set up, been going a month using Deltec Nitrate Fluid. I am switching from bags for the nutrient fluid to a dosing pump, did not like the bags as the second one failed at the stopper fitting while being filled, not ideal. Anyway it’s apparently running well now after a slow start, though the Deltec instructions imply a faster start than I think is likely for most. At 4 weeks in it’s up to 4.8 ml per minute throughput and this week I can reliably increase flow every 2 days while maintaining zero nitrate output.

My question is whether people think I really need to use Deltec nitrate fluid? It seems to be a mix of methanol, ethanol and other alcohols plus amino acids? Alcohols are of course available here. Any deals how to replicate their fluid and if there really is much benefit doing this vs using straight ethanol?

Steve

Did you ever figure out a formula for nitrate fluid? I have the same reactor, just ran out of Deltec fluid and I don’t see it for sale anywhere. AI tells me to use a mix of RO water and vodka, haven’t tried that yet...

 

[WillpoleReefers]

Did you ever figure out a formula for nitrate fluid? I have the same reactor, just ran out of Deltec fluid and I don’t see it for sale anywhere. AI tells me to use a mix of RO water and vodka, haven’t tried that yet...

Never did. The reactor crashed on ethanol as per their directions. Then it crashed again repeatedly over the following year. Lots of things can upset them including very briefly running out of fluid or a dosing pump failure, or indeed trying to get anywhere near Deltec claimed flow rates. I decided it was far too unstable for practical use and that Deltec are not honest in their claims on performance. I gave up with it.

 

[exnisstech]

Is this just a fancy way if carbon dosing?

 

[WillpoleReefers]

Carbon dosing yes but in a closed anaerobic environment

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-...D=3198&indexName=brs_prod_m2_default_products
What about using this?

 

[doninla]

Never did. The reactor crashed on ethanol as per their directions. Then it crashed again repeatedly over the following year. Lots of things can upset them including very briefly running out of fluid or a dosing pump failure, or indeed trying to get anywhere near Deltec claimed flow rates. I decided it was far too unstable for practical use and that Deltec are not honest in their claims on performance. I gave up with it.

mine has been running kinda OK, but i struggle to get the flow rate exactly right so that the ORP level stabilizes, plus as I mentioned I am running out of nitrate fluid. I built a control system with a raspberry pi that reads the ORP probe, controls the flow and feeds the filter periodically. using cheap 1/4” plastic valves. I think I need something like a needle valve to control the water intake more precisely but haven’t found one cheap enough :-).

 

[WillpoleReefers]

I was running it without ORP, could be better I know. A peristaltic pump gives decent flow control, though was a maintenance item.