Donovan's Nitrate Destroyer - Page 4

djbon · 08/24/2016, 03:33 PM

Hi Greg,

Sorry, I was confused with activated carbon

. Carbon source should be added at the the very beginning. Food source is needed by both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

Ok, longer chamber should be okay as long as the flow rate is adequate. 1% to 2% of total water volume per hour flow through the chambers is close to ideal. Mine is currently about 1%.

djbon · 08/24/2016, 05:20 PM

Greg, do you have phosphate removal unit in place?

gregkn73 · 08/24/2016, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbon

Greg, do you have phosphate removal unit in place?

Yes, even with ATS & a lot of chaeto , I still have to run small quantity of GFO in a reactor ,to keep low PO4. So I am waiting anxiously your results with the different carbon sources ,you are trying, to eliminate also them :-)

djbon · 08/24/2016, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregkn73

Yes, even with ATS & a lot of chaeto , I still have to run small quantity of GFO in a reactor ,to keep low PO4. So I am waiting anxiously your results with the different carbon sources ,you are trying, to eliminate also them :-)

PO4 uptake is kind of slow. Once NO3 is below 5ppm, my tank started to show some algae (GHA). PO4 & NO3 imbalance will have an impact on reef tank. PO4 abundance is worst than having NO3 in my oppinion

.

gregkn73 · 08/25/2016, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbon

PO4 uptake is kind of slow. Once NO3 is below 5ppm, my tank started to show some algae (GHA). PO4 & NO3 imbalance will have an impact on reef tank. PO4 abundance is worst than having NO3 in my oppinion

.

So Donovan ,you didn't like the results with the new carbon source, you were experimenting, trying to reduce also PO4?

From my experience with PO4, is also bad, the unstable value of them=yo yoing. What I am trying , is a value for them, not necessarily very low and stick to it.

djbon · 08/25/2016, 03:41 PM

I'm seeing result from the new recipe, but I wanted to see how long does it take to give me the final result i'm looking for. As I mentioned before, my rock is leaching PO4. 2 years battling with high nutrient, the rocks must have absorb significant amount of PO4. I fed my fish with brine shrimp, blood worm and mysis covered in oily stuff. Not forgetting frozen cubes and flakes. Feeding plan full of nasty stuff. Only time will tell.

ioraan · 08/26/2016, 10:21 AM

How long did it take to get the bacteria colonized enough to process the nitrate? Also, how much flow do you want entering the tower ?

djbon · 08/26/2016, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ioraan

How long did it take to get the bacteria colonized enough to process the nitrate? Also, how much flow do you want entering the tower ?

5 - 7 days bacteria will start processing nitrate. Mine produces nitrogen bubble on 5th day after starting. Nitrate should start dropping on 2nd week. My 80ppm nitrate drop to 5ppm on 3rd week. Zero nitrate on 4th to 5th week. I would say 1% to 2% from total water is the optimum flow for the reactor, maximum 5% water flow is the limit.

gregkn73 · 08/28/2016, 01:45 PM

Donovan what is the height difference, between inlet and outlet, at your denitraror?

Also do you run GAC at your system?

djbon · 08/28/2016, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregkn73

Donovan what is the height difference, between inlet and outlet, at your denitraror?

Also do you run GAC at your system?

Roughly 2". I do run fluvial GAC as I am running mixed reef system. Change every 2 weeks.

gregkn73 · 08/28/2016, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbon

Roughly 2". I do run fluvial GAC as I am running mixed reef system. Change every 2 weeks.

Do you thing, reducing or eliminating the usage of GAC, to naturally increase DOC , before someone add carbon in the denitrator, a good idea?

djbon · 08/28/2016, 11:28 PM

I run carbon solely to remove toxin and polishing the water. I don't think it will absorb DOC to make a significant impact. I dump a kilogram of activated carbon in the sump before, no changes on nutrient level. Without activated carbon my water is slightly yellowish. Somewhere I read GAC will remove heavy metals and essential elements.

glaukos · 08/29/2016, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregkn73

Do you thing, reducing or eliminating the usage of GAC, to naturally increase DOC , before someone add carbon in the denitrator, a good idea?

It would be a great idea,since you follow donovan's steps, to share the whole process with PICS(tank,animals,reactor,etc),water tests and results,etc so you could help other people too and make another solid example if/that donovan's nitrate destroyer worked for you too

Would be great to see the level of success and impact,that lowering no3 will have in your reef tank.
How much it will improve/change the overall health of your animals

And if you made small/big adjustments or changes to donovan's no3 destroyer,it would be nice to share them too!

djbon · 08/29/2016, 08:50 AM

Hi Mike,

Totally agree with you. I do believe Greg's reactor will perform well as the logic behind the process is basically in the design. The only variable of success and failure will be the effluent flow rate. With continuos test for the first 2 weeks should give the clear indicator of success.

djbon · 08/29/2016, 08:55 AM

Have been using new recipe for dosing and here are the latest result. I have been constantly dosing sodium nitrate to bring up nitrate for phosphate uptake. I'm not sure about the api po4 test kit, but the no3 is roughly 20ppm difference (tank vs effluent). I changed the new recipe composition and will test again in few days.

P/s: PO4 is effluent output only.

gregkn73 · 08/29/2016, 01:53 PM

Finished gluing .

gregkn73 · 08/29/2016, 01:57 PM

Donovan I'm thinking to make inlet through the cup , is it good or bad idea?

djbon · 08/29/2016, 03:36 PM

Greg, should be okay for inlet with proper small fitting but the outlet must be 2" lower. Don't forget the dosing tube as well.

gregkn73 · 08/30/2016, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbon

Don't forget the dosing tube as well.

I'm thinking something like that for inlet water and carbon also.

What is your current carbon dosage? Why don't you just reduce it, instead of dosing NaNO3?

djbon · 08/30/2016, 06:56 AM

Ok, gotcha. My nitrate is zero for the last couple of months due to running fallow. Black ich wiped out my fish. The only fish added 3 weeks ago is a fox face. PO4 uptake kind of halted without nitrate, so i have to dose sodium nitrate. Carbon dosing is currently 5ml, but the carbon content is much lower compared to full vodka previously i used. Maybe i should dose nitrate every other day instead of every day. Emmm...

djbon · 09/05/2016, 02:57 AM

Hi Greg, is it online now?. How is the reactor going?

gregkn73 · 09/05/2016, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbon

Hi Greg, is it online now?. How is the reactor going?

Not yet, I intend to fill the first chamber with bioballs (2+3 large pumice, 4 small pumice) but I couldn't find locally, so I ordered them online. I will have them in about 2 weeks :-(

Donovan do you apply your carbon source, once in a day or in several doses throughout the 24 hours?

djbon · 09/05/2016, 07:18 AM

Hahha. Luckily my LFS does have dophin bio balls, fluval ceramic rings and denitrate. The coral rubble is available most of the time.

Carbon is added every morning. You can split it into two, once in the morning and the other at night. My effluent goes into my filter socks. The slime build up on socks gives me indication that the reactor is charging.

gregkn73 · 09/05/2016, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbon

Hahha. Luckily my LFS does have dophin bio balls, fluval ceramic rings and denitrate. The coral rubble is available most of the time.

Carbon is added every morning. You can split it into two, once in the morning and the other at night. My effluent goes into my filter socks. The slime build up on socks gives me indication that the reactor is charging.

I intend to run it for a week without adding carbon and then I decided to use the recipe, of diy NOPOX, I red here in another thread. In any case I don't plan to use a lot of carbon ,since I want a very small reduction to my NO3 from 8ppm now to 2-3 ppm, but I would like to help me reduce the use of GAC and GFO. Basically if I can maintain 0.03ppm of PO4, without using 150ml of GFO in a reactor, as I am doing now, it will be perfect :-) reading the following http://wst.iwaponline.com/content/44/1/57.abstract , I wonder if alternating the flow or adding the carbon source once every 48h or 24h , can help me reduce PO4 more effectively...

PS I don't use filter socks, do you think I am going to have problem with bacterial slime?

djbon · 09/05/2016, 08:53 AM

Today test vs 29th august. 8 days from 40ppm no3 (dt) to almost zero. Damn, i can't get po4 down. Hair algae still a problem.

08/24/2016, 03:33 PM	#76
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	Hi Greg, Sorry, I was confused with activated carbon . Carbon source should be added at the the very beginning. Food source is needed by both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Ok, longer chamber should be okay as long as the flow rate is adequate. 1% to 2% of total water volume per hour flow through the chambers is close to ideal. Mine is currently about 1%. __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller

08/24/2016, 05:20 PM	#77
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	Greg, do you have phosphate removal unit in place? __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller

08/25/2016, 03:41 PM	#81
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	I'm seeing result from the new recipe, but I wanted to see how long does it take to give me the final result i'm looking for. As I mentioned before, my rock is leaching PO4. 2 years battling with high nutrient, the rocks must have absorb significant amount of PO4. I fed my fish with brine shrimp, blood worm and mysis covered in oily stuff. Not forgetting frozen cubes and flakes. Feeding plan full of nasty stuff. Only time will tell. __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller Last edited by djbon; 08/25/2016 at 03:48 PM.

08/28/2016, 11:28 PM	#87
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	I run carbon solely to remove toxin and polishing the water. I don't think it will absorb DOC to make a significant impact. I dump a kilogram of activated carbon in the sump before, no changes on nutrient level. Without activated carbon my water is slightly yellowish. Somewhere I read GAC will remove heavy metals and essential elements. __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller

08/29/2016, 08:50 AM	#89
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	Hi Mike, Totally agree with you. I do believe Greg's reactor will perform well as the logic behind the process is basically in the design. The only variable of success and failure will be the effluent flow rate. With continuos test for the first 2 weeks should give the clear indicator of success. __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller

08/26/2016, 10:21 AM	#82
ioraan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 4	How long did it take to get the bacteria colonized enough to process the nitrate? Also, how much flow do you want entering the tower ?

08/28/2016, 01:45 PM	#84
gregkn73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 278	Donovan what is the height difference, between inlet and outlet, at your denitraror? Also do you run GAC at your system?

08/29/2016, 01:53 PM	#91
gregkn73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 278	Finished gluing .

08/29/2016, 01:57 PM	#92
gregkn73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 278	Donovan I'm thinking to make inlet through the cup , is it good or bad idea?

08/29/2016, 03:36 PM	#93
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	Greg, should be okay for inlet with proper small fitting but the outlet must be 2" lower. Don't forget the dosing tube as well. __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller

08/30/2016, 06:56 AM	#95
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	Ok, gotcha. My nitrate is zero for the last couple of months due to running fallow. Black ich wiped out my fish. The only fish added 3 weeks ago is a fox face. PO4 uptake kind of halted without nitrate, so i have to dose sodium nitrate. Carbon dosing is currently 5ml, but the carbon content is much lower compared to full vodka previously i used. Maybe i should dose nitrate every other day instead of every day. Emmm... __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller

09/05/2016, 02:57 AM	#96
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	Hi Greg, is it online now?. How is the reactor going? __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller

09/05/2016, 07:18 AM	#98
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	Hahha. Luckily my LFS does have dophin bio balls, fluval ceramic rings and denitrate. The coral rubble is available most of the time. Carbon is added every morning. You can split it into two, once in the morning and the other at night. My effluent goes into my filter socks. The slime build up on socks gives me indication that the reactor is charging. __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller Last edited by djbon; 09/05/2016 at 07:28 AM.