That is what Donovan and a few other aquarists figured out. The right sized media with the right sized denitrafier and with, the right flow and in an air tight and blacked out chamber is how they were getting anaerobic bacteria to grow. It’s way above my head but, I’m getting results and all inhabits still look happy.
I’m experimenting with that denitrifyer that I made also. I have a pistol who constantly re-arranges sand. If it does what it says I think I’ll upgrade to something big. It’s kinda the same concept as I’m doin looks like. The method I went with, carbon source is introduced into denitrfyer instead of broadcast into tank.
DIY undergravel style plate that draws water from front end, passes that through four inches of pumice (Matrix) which is being drawn by a Tidal 75 HOB filled with the provided blue sponge filter, carbon and floss. Clean the carbon when I replace the floss and change it out when the water yellows but that lasts months. Fact is I clean the floss and stick it back in since it likely has benefits bacteria.
Experiment has run its course and will be upgrading to a WaterBox 20 or 25 AIO and next step is adding RO style micron filters to polish the water and test quarantine of ich infected. Theory being that I can filter out the free swimming stage vs use of copper. Logistics being and the capture and decomposition of detritus to prevent quick clogging of the lower micron pleated filter cartridges.
Couple of years out before building my main display. Time to fiddle with ideas I’ve had since the 70s.
A hobby is supposed to be 'fun' - so try to relax, first of all. Second - you stopped dosing carbon - why? its normal for nitrates to increase with decreased carbon dosing, right? Third, if you're nervous, don't cut the carbon out entirely, cut it by 75%, then increase or decrease it as needed. I would make a plan. i.e. check nitrates weekly - and adjust to keep in a certain range. I would make SMALL changes - the thing that causes problems with Acros, IME, are QUICK decreases in nitrates, etc. If you're monitoring closely - you should not be at risk. Good luck - hope this helps
Don't think the carbon needs to be introduced into the denitrifyer. It will dissolve into the water and make it's way there. Fact is that decomposition releases carbon as well. End of day we are managing water.
I think the point in my case is to isolate the carbon source to inside the chamber and let the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria do its thing while it populates. I’m hoping to be able to tune it to the point where I don’t have to dose anymore carbon. None the less. It’s gotten my No3 way down in just a couple of weeks without adversely affecting the inhabitants.
Haven't removed detritus since starting this venture other than what is captured by floss. Have approximately 15 liters of pumice in a 20 gallon with approximately 16 gallons of actual volume. Have tested with low flow to induce anoxic conditions as well as high flow. Both with and without carbon dosing. In the early stages I was able to keep nitrates and phosphates in check without more carbon dosing than needed to bring those levels in check after an accident such as over feeding. What I believe is happening, regardless how efficient I make my denitrification process the existing detritus load is breaking down faster than my filter can process without adding carbon. Phosphates require Lanthanum Chloride or other remedy to keep below 2 ppm. Can get that below 0.25 ppm and at the moment not a concern to go lower since no corals demanding such low levels and my visual inspection tells me algae is in check. Chasing numbers where numbers don't need changing seems futile to me.
Wow. Way above my pay grade lol. I’m nowhere near as informed about this stuff as you are. What I do know is that I stumbled onto this gentleman’s post about his denitifrier a few weeks ago and thought I’d give it a go. I’ve seen my nitrates reduce dramatically since making and installing it.
If the chaeto is growing then it’s removing but export won’t happen until you remove some of the chaeto. Perhaps taking half out periodically will show better results since it will induce more growth.
I’m sure the chaeto is removing some but I just can’t see it removing 20 or so ppm in the matter of a couple of weeks. Unless I’m completely missing something.
Haven't tried vodka but have been using NoPox since post cycling to bring then nitrates from 160 ppm plus to less than 5 ppm. Since this is an experimental tank with heavier than normal feeding, no WC and no extraction of detritus the nitrates will jump back to 160 ppm (although nitrites might be present but I rarely check those) and within a week or two post starting NoPox again it drops down to under 20 ppm then seems to stabilize between 10-20 ppm although if I increase the dosage then I can bottom that out. I have it now where adding 2 ml to 16 gallons keeps them below 20 and mostly closer to 10 ppm. My algae is minimal and seems isolated to one rock under the Kessil. Get cyano in a low flow section which the turkey baster quickly eliminates. Oddly that is where I get what appears to be GHA yet that's easily disturbed and picked up by mechanical filtration.
I’m in the infancy with the denitrifier and I will continue to monitor it. If it stalls with the removal of nitrate I will definitely start to up the carbon dosage as you suggest. Also will probably reintroduce more MB7 if need be but I also think about opening up my denitrifier and adding different types of media like some matrix or something.
Prefer pumice (Seachem Matrix) because it's porous, light and inert. Can be acquired from Home Depot in 2L and 20L. Think I paid $60 for the 20L. What they carry is 1/4 and appears to be identical to Seachem Denitrate. Can also be acquired from Orchid garden supply retailers in cubic foot orders and various sizes. That's the route I'll be taking for my main display.
I stopped by PetSmart and picked up some seachem matrix, from what I’ve read that size is recommended because it doesn’t clog as easily as smaller media does. But if and when I decide to go with a bigger denitrifier for a bigger tank I’ll definitely keep the HD stuff in mind!
TSA is another one that keeps their Nitrates at 20ppm. They use fish/food to keep them high as opposed to dosing. I try to keep mine between 10 and 20ppm and it seems to go well. My main tank is mostly acropora, if it were fish-only or LPS I'd probably keep it lower. I use a DOS for water change, and I do NoPox and Bact7 weekly to keep nutrients from getting too high, while only using a siphon once every 2-3 months or so. (I did more water changes in the first year while it was stabilizing) I have a lot of live rock, this probably wouldn't work well with a small amount due to the lack of surface area for bacteria. It may have been Randy that talked about some rock taking way longer than others to get to the phase in which bacteria can more efficiently control nitrates. I think it was due to both leeching and how deep the bacteria can get in the pores. Every tank is different though so I would keep it where you feel most comfortable.
