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

[GARRIGA]

Here’s a good visual explanation of the carbon fed media process. Haven’t read all 70 pages so excuse me if previously posted.

I’m trying to replicate this with a Fluval FX and mix of sponge filters and different grade pumice. My challenge has been how to introduce the carbon and why at some point abandoned that and just went with dosing the tank but further consideration with reducing co2 as Lasse explained has me rethinking this again.

Was originally going to go with Big Blue filters as used by AquariPure but FX much wider and has baskets making media separation easier. Yet still have the issue of how to focus dose carbon into a pressurized canister. This will be plumbed externally and not gravity fed in a sump. Juices flowing :thinking-face:

 

[ravi197699]

Hello reefers, I have 800 gallon tank with nitrate levels at 50ppm and I want to build the nitrate reactor to bring the nitrate levels to 10-15ppm, what size reactor should I build and I have 4 inch pvc pipes laying around, what type of media everyone use? thank you, Rav

 

[sfin52]

Here’s a good visual explanation of the carbon fed media process. Haven’t read all 70 pages so excuse me if previously posted.

I’m trying to replicate this with a Fluval FX and mix of sponge filters and different grade pumice. My challenge has been how to introduce the carbon and why at some point abandoned that and just went with dosing the tank but further consideration with reducing co2 as Lasse explained has me rethinking this again.

Was originally going to go with Big Blue filters as used by AquariPure but FX much wider and has baskets making media separation easier. Yet still have the issue of how to focus dose carbon into a pressurized canister. This will be plumbed externally and not gravity fed in a sump. Juices flowing :thinking-face:

Something like this. Theh also make a surface srubber for the fx series

This type of device will allow you to inject it right into the canister. You prob could find a nicer one or dyi.

 

[GARRIGA]

Something like this. Theh also make a surface srubber for the fx series

This type of device will allow you to inject it right into the canister. You prob could find a nicer one or dyi.

My canister going to draw water from an undergravel filter therefore this option not currently an option. At least not for my test tank which is serving multiple functions.

The main will draw water from a baffle where I’ll be able to focus dose if I take this route. Seems very promising now that I see the benefit in reducing the creation of co2 in the main display.

Thinking perhaps a Venturi valve which I’ve seen used to inject ozone as well as air to create ozone. Just thinking out loud and likely something else solves this.

 

[ravi197699]

Hello reefers, I have 800 gallon tank with nitrate levels at 50ppm and I want to build the nitrate reactor to bring the nitrate levels to 10-15ppm, what size reactor should I build and I have 4 inch pvc pipes laying around, what type of media everyone use? thank you, Rav

any suggestions guys?

 

[Bgmrc]

any suggestions guys?

^^ I used these 2 and some Matrix in mine....my tank is 110gals...reactor is 3inch PVC at 30inch high...

 

[GARRIGA]

This type of device will allow you to inject it right into the canister. You prob could find a nicer one or dyi.

Perhaps I can tee this off and deliver the carbon. Was thinking of possibly using one of the other undergravel lift tubes to draw surface water as skimmer. If that works then another delivery option. Necessity the mother of invention.

 

[sfin52]

Perhaps I can tee this off and deliver the carbon. Was thinking of possibly using one of the other undergravel lift tubes to draw surface water as skimmer. If that works then another delivery option. Necessity the mother of invention.

That it is. reefers are MacGyvers

 

[ravi197699]

^^ I used these 2 and some Matrix in mine....my tank is 110gals...reactor is 3inch PVC at 30inch high...

hmm for 800 gallon I need to go taller when it comes to the size of the reactor?

 

[GARRIGA]

hmm for 800 gallon I need to go taller when it comes to the size of the reactor?

Perhaps wider although oxygen removal happens based on contact duration. Need nitrifiers to strip the DO thereby leaving behind bound oxygen such as nitrates where that is then used in place of oxygen and results in N being released. Could also add additional reactors. If design can handle 200 gallons then four might work with their own independent flow and dosing. Just thinking out loud but this to me makes the most sense based on what I know about denitrification.

 

[blazn]

hmm for 800 gallon I need to go taller when it comes to the size of the reactor?

Yes, the bigger the system, the bigger the reactor should be...but doesn't have to be. Once it's fully functional, you can adjust your carbon dose to increase/decrease the NO3 reduction as needed. I recommend that you make it as big as you can comfortably fit into your build.

 

[ravi197699]

Yes, the bigger the system, the bigger the reactor should be...but doesn't have to be. Once it's fully functional, you can adjust your carbon dose to increase/decrease the NO3 reduction as needed. I recommend that you make it as big as you can comfortably fit into your build.

Thank you for your input, I am planning on 4-inch x 36-inch dual chamber reactor, I will be simple reactor filled with different type of media, and I will start with MB7 for 4 days and then diluted 50/50 vodka or vinegar,

 

[Levinson]

I have no way of testing for silicate level but I suspect it is rising after I've installed DND. The sponge growth has increased significantly.
My guesses are,
1. since I've placed some siporax on the top part of the water inlet tower (thinking that part won't be anaerobic and therefore won't release any silicate) so silicate could be leaching from that, somehow. Maybe the flow is so slow that anaerobic zone has formed close to the top?
2. Or it could be other ceramic media I have in the DND, which are mostly bio-spheres and a few yellow square ceramic stick things with a hole in the centre. Personally, I don't think it's the bio-spheres and suspect the square ceramic stick things more.

I'm not sure if I should be worried about this or not. I can't find any test kit for silicate for sale where I live and if I have to get one I will need to import it myself (meaning $$$).
I hope the silicate level doesn't get out of hand. Also hope the growing sponges contribute to the nutrient control.

Or maybe it only releases when I carbon dose?

I knew siprox release silicate in anaerobic conditions but I thought the top near the inlet of the DND wouldn't be so anaerobic so I placed some siporax there and filled the rest with other stuff. I didn't want the silicate level to go out of control. But it still did release silicate and I wasn't sure why but I think I have found the answer to this.

It was quite simple.
1. The carbon I dosed was vinegar.
2. Vinegar is very low in pH (acidic).
3. The siporax media is placed right below the dosing hole, so the vinegar was dosed right on top of the siporax media.

Of course, the vinegar's acidity would cause the siporax to release silicate!! I was dosing acid onto the siporax!
I feel stupid to not think of this sooner. My mind was so stuck on the 'anaerobic condition -> siporax releasing silicate' but it was 'anaerobic condition -> low pH -> siporax releasing silicate' so what was ultimately causing it to release silicate was low pH, not anaerobic condition.
It wasn't very scientific but I tested it by pulling out the siporax and the sponge growth slowed down greatly after a few days of pulling out the siporax.

The plot twist is, I realised that I actually like high silicate in my tank. I want that big diatom bloom and sponge growth again so I put the siporax back into the DND. Will have to wait and see if it will go back to how it was before.

 

[Bgmrc]

^^^^ life of a reefer....I feel ya bro

 

[OverThinker]

Phew just finished all 78 pages after reading for a couple days straight. RIP Donovan.

Does anyone have any valve recommendations to control flow? I am thinking of a 1/2” gate valve currently

 

[Levinson]

Phew just finished all 78 pages after reading for a couple days straight. RIP Donovan.

Does anyone have any valve recommendations to control flow? I am thinking of a 1/2” gate valve currently

I think gate valves are awesome but too big and too expensive for my setup so I just got a small ball valve that connects to the tubes.

 

[GARRIGA]

Phew just finished all 78 pages after reading for a couple days straight. RIP Donovan.

Have not read all 78 pages nor any intention to. RIP being literal or figuratively?

 

[twentyleagues]

Have not read all 78 pages nor any intention to. RIP being literal or figuratively?

Literal. Donovan has passed away.

 

[twentyleagues]

Have not read all 78 pages nor any intention to. RIP being literal or figuratively?

Mid bottom page 33 - 35 covers it.

 

[GARRIGA]

My late condolences to his family :crying-face: