Poor Man's Nutrients Control - Donovan's Nitrate Destroyer

[Khaotic]

Thank you. I will use this stuff in the second chamber. Unfortunately the poduct is not availble in the Netherlands at the moment I received a message I will need to be patient for a couple of months. I wondered if there any updates here about anyone using this device and I am curious which elements he added to his mix.. molybdate? iron citrate or maybe a strongly chelated iron (DTPA? EDDHA? or other chelating agent) manganese? I guess we will never know...

I believe if i remember correctly that his mystery additive was for coral, not for the reactor.

 

[foshizzle]

wow

 

[Tmmste]

I believe if i remember correctly that his mystery additive was for coral, not for the reactor.

Hmm, I'll give some elements a try like iron, manganese and molybdate. I hope some may become biologically bound. So far the destroyer is almost finished. I noticed a leak near the nipple and have not been able to stop this with o-rings.. So I decided to seal the gap with acrifix (basically sealing the seams with acrylic).

 

[Soulreefer]

Hmm, I'll give some elements a try like iron, manganese and molybdate. I hope some may become biologically bound. So far the destroyer is almost finished. I noticed a leak near the nipple and have not been able to stop this with o-rings.. So I decided to seal the gap with acrifix (basically sealing the seams with acrylic).

wow nice build..

 

[Tmmste]

wow nice build..

I pulled it apart, to fragile for my tastes. I am waiting for new parts and show the improved version.

 

[larrysy]

Did a flow test on my new build - bubbles were coming out of the outlet. Anybody experienced this? Nothing inside the tubes yet - just water, but the cap is not yet sealed.

 

[Tmmste]

Did a flow test on my new build - bubbles were coming out of the outlet. Anybody experienced this? Nothing inside the tubes yet - just water, but the cap is not yet sealed.

I believe that is exactly what you want right.. [emoji4] from no3 -> gass

 

[larrysy]

I know the bubbles look like the NO3 from previous posts but the tube is not yet in use.

Just plain water inside the tubes for testing - no media yet - no rocks, no ceramic rings or balls.

 

[Tmmste]

I know the bubbles look like the NO3 from previous posts but the tube is not yet in use.

Just plain water inside the tubes for testing - no media yet - no rocks, no ceramic rings or balls.

I would say some airbubbles which cling on the inside or around corners are gradually finding their way outside the reactor. Or maybe some microbubbles merge into slightly larger bubbles or some foam formed on the inside? I am still waiting for media (siporax / biospheres).. and other media (yellow cermamic balls / mashed dry rock) is currently being seeded in the sump. Hopefully I will also start the destroyer soon. The basis is done; 125mm pvc. Keep on posting your experiences!!

 

[ravi197699]

Nice build, If i use lava rock as pumice rock subtitue, Will it work, I have noticed that lava rock is very porus as well??

 

[CNDReef]

It would work but lava rock might contain metals and other things that may leach into the tank.

 

[ravi197699]

I have seen people use lava rock in reef tanks, but I will read more about it, It is easily available in my area.

 

[Gazela]

Hello, I did this about a month ago, dosing 16ml vodka in an hour and a half and I got a flow of 20ml for 10 sec., But sometimes I ride a vodat nitrate out of the reactor outlet as much as in the display what it might be ?
Thank you in advance for help!

 

[Tmmste]

improved version:
holds 15 liter
65cm high
current flow: 150l per hour (9x tankvolume per day)

I'll need a smaller pump to reach 10% volume per day... I believe the current flow is 90x faster than it should be..?

 

[CNDReef]

Looks good as you said smaller pump or you can put a valve after the pump,also your drain pipe might have to be smaller. It can’t let air back in so the last chamber stays anaerobic( no oxygen )

 

[Tmmste]

Looks good as you said smaller pump or you can put a valve after the pump,also your drain pipe might have to be smaller. It can’t let air back in so the last chamber stays anaerobic( no oxygen )

Regarding the drain, I placed a small piece of pumice at the end. This creates an airlock. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[Tmmste]

Regarding the drain, I placed a small piece of pumice at the end. This creates an airlock. Thank you for the suggestion!

This was not a smart idea; airpressure increased in the 2nd chamber and build up on the first chamber causing it to overflow

 

[Jay1982]

Has anyone implemented this into a Reefer 170's sump? There isn't much room in there and I was wondering if anyone has a footprint sizing for the small sump.

 

[larrysy]

I'll need a smaller pump to reach 10% volume per day... I believe the current flow is 90x faster than it should be..?

I use an aqualifter pump - flow is just right. I don't have a sump, so I draw water directly from the tank and the effluent flows directly into the tank.

The aqualifter is hung on the side of the first barrel using a paper clip.

For media, I used lava rocks, way way cheaper - really "poor man's"

Not yet dosed - just started and testing for leaks.

 

[ReeferMadness0347]

Took two days of free time to read the entire thread. I was shocked when I read he passed away. Condolences to the family. I will be building a Donovan when my new tank is setup and ready.