offshore80
Member
Wow, reefguy Which denitrator did you get? I would say the sulphur for that action. As soon as I get a little scratch saved. I think that will be the next big purchase for me.
Aquaripure denitrator
- Thread starter offshore80
- Start date
nolan_nike
Member
It is the Sulfur Denitrifier XL by Midwest Aquatic. They send the sulfur mixed in with freeze dried bacteria. The freeze dried bacteria is supposed to jump start the system so you don't have to wait 4-6 weeks for the denitrifier to grow the bacteria. Midwest Aquatic thought it should be about 21 days to get a -0- reading at the outlet. I don't know why mine "matured" so quickly. Maybe my stupidly high Nitrate reading accelerated the process? The sulfur is the food, you don't have to feed it anything else. If I understand it correctly, the water passes through the sulfur where nitrate is broken down by the bacteria which breaks down the nitrate for it's oxygen. The water becomes acidic then passes through the Calcium Carbonate to be buffered before returning to the tank?
My nitrate tank reading is over 200. It pegs a quick drip stip and my drop style test kit is as red as you can get immediately even though it is supposed to be given 10 minutes to develop. Last night I tested 2.5ml tank water with 2.5 ml R/O water with my drop test kit (max 100 reading) thinking I could multiply my reading by 2 to get the actual but it was off the chart.
I had been fighting a nitrate reading, that I thought was 20, for about 6 months. BTA, snails, leather, etc had all seemed to be sliding downhill plus I was really having a lot of algae. I increased flow, removed undergravel filter, removed fluval pads, added de-nitrate, added nitrate sponge, added skimmer, cut feedings, removed fluval bio media, added more rock, tried AZ-NO3 etc. No change at all in 20 nitrate reading, but tank continued to not seem right and get worse. My zoos started to deform which led me to find that can happen in an extremely high nitrate tank.
Finally:
I decided to double check my readings with a quick dip. Turns out my Nitrate test wasn't working and Nitrate was acutally over 200.
My knee jerk reaction was to attempt a massive water change, but decided instead that they have probably been high and rising for 6 months so I wanted to take the time to find a permanent solution (other than daily massive water changes and the 50 other things I tried).
I'm estimating that I'm getting 10-12 gal a day of nitrate free water into the tank through the sulfur denitrifier.
I suspect that I'll be able to get about 15-20 gallons a day of nitrate free water out of the outlet as it matures. This should allow my nitrates in a 120 gal tank to drop pretty quickly and stay near zero.
My nitrate tank reading is over 200. It pegs a quick drip stip and my drop style test kit is as red as you can get immediately even though it is supposed to be given 10 minutes to develop. Last night I tested 2.5ml tank water with 2.5 ml R/O water with my drop test kit (max 100 reading) thinking I could multiply my reading by 2 to get the actual but it was off the chart.
I had been fighting a nitrate reading, that I thought was 20, for about 6 months. BTA, snails, leather, etc had all seemed to be sliding downhill plus I was really having a lot of algae. I increased flow, removed undergravel filter, removed fluval pads, added de-nitrate, added nitrate sponge, added skimmer, cut feedings, removed fluval bio media, added more rock, tried AZ-NO3 etc. No change at all in 20 nitrate reading, but tank continued to not seem right and get worse. My zoos started to deform which led me to find that can happen in an extremely high nitrate tank.
Finally:
I decided to double check my readings with a quick dip. Turns out my Nitrate test wasn't working and Nitrate was acutally over 200.
My knee jerk reaction was to attempt a massive water change, but decided instead that they have probably been high and rising for 6 months so I wanted to take the time to find a permanent solution (other than daily massive water changes and the 50 other things I tried).
I'm estimating that I'm getting 10-12 gal a day of nitrate free water into the tank through the sulfur denitrifier.
I suspect that I'll be able to get about 15-20 gallons a day of nitrate free water out of the outlet as it matures. This should allow my nitrates in a 120 gal tank to drop pretty quickly and stay near zero.
nolan_nike
Member
Tony Detroit,
Are you adjusting the flow on your sulfur denitrator to target a certain nitrate reading, or is zero the goal? Do you still do regular water changes with the denitrator? I think your's has been going about a year, right? Have you had to add sulfur?
Thanks.
Are you adjusting the flow on your sulfur denitrator to target a certain nitrate reading, or is zero the goal? Do you still do regular water changes with the denitrator? I think your's has been going about a year, right? Have you had to add sulfur?
Thanks.
reefguy888
New Member
Originally Posted by Nolan_Nike
Tony Detroit,
Are you adjusting the flow on your sulfur denitrator to target a certain nitrate reading, or is zero the goal? Do you still do regular water changes with the denitrator? I think your's has been going about a year, right? Have you had to add sulfur?
Thanks.
So, is the midwest still working ok for you? I'm waiting to make sure before I plop down the dough. I missed the one on E*AY.
Tony Detroit,
Are you adjusting the flow on your sulfur denitrator to target a certain nitrate reading, or is zero the goal? Do you still do regular water changes with the denitrator? I think your's has been going about a year, right? Have you had to add sulfur?
Thanks.
So, is the midwest still working ok for you? I'm waiting to make sure before I plop down the dough. I missed the one on E*AY.
jclark
New Member
i have been using the aquaripure denitrator for about 3 months and occasionally it gets clogged but all i do is push air up the out take tube and it works or sometimes i just let it be and it will resume on its own. anyways my point is that my nitrate level went from over 100ppm to <10ppm and i have not had to clean off any algae on my glass or anything else.i know some ppl that are using the sulfur denitrator but they were only satisfied for the first several months but then they were unhappy and they kinda wish they invested their money into the aquaripure denitrator. i have done a water change in a while and all my water peramators are with in normal ranges. in addition, i have a lot of big fish, 9+ inches, for my 150 gal tank and i couldnt be more satisfy with the aquaripure denitrator anymore since my fish are not getting sick anymore.
offshore80
Member
Damn I've had mine over a year and "nothing" I feed it every week but the nitrate's are still screaming. I checked yesterday and they were about 100 or so. I did break down and ordered the large sulfer denitrator. I should be here in a few days. Meanwhile I'm doing a 100 gallon water change to help reduce them.
reefguy888
New Member
Originally Posted by sac10918
Dr. Reef
Would the Koralline denitrifier by too powerful for a 12 gallon or 24 gallon? If so, can you suggest something that would be more appropriate? Thanks
Korallin here are placing the sizing information for perusal. I Confirm Dr. Reef. German products are infinitely superior in skill and design to United States or UK.
http://www.anton-gabriel.at/schwef1.htm
Dr. Reef
Would the Koralline denitrifier by too powerful for a 12 gallon or 24 gallon? If so, can you suggest something that would be more appropriate? Thanks
Korallin here are placing the sizing information for perusal. I Confirm Dr. Reef. German products are infinitely superior in skill and design to United States or UK.
http://www.anton-gabriel.at/schwef1.htm
nolan_nike
Member
Originally Posted by reefguy888
So, is the midwest still working ok for you? I'm waiting to make sure before I plop down the dough. I missed the one on E*AY.
Working beautifully. Zero nitrates. The PH of my tank had been creeping slightly lower because I have the large model XL denitrifier on a 125 gal tank and I return the effluent back to the display tank instead of aerating it in a sump.
Midwest suggested that I remove half the sulfur and add calcium media so I now have a 1/4 sulphur 3/4 calcium mix and the PH has gone back to 8.1-8.3.
Other than changing the sulfur/calcium mix to 1/4-3/4 the only other maintenance that was needed involved injecting water into the inlet hose, with the syringe they provided to prime the pump. I've had to do this one time when I noticed the flow was slowing and suspected the small plastic tubes were getting blocked up. About a 1' string of white gunk came out and flow returned to normal.
So, is the midwest still working ok for you? I'm waiting to make sure before I plop down the dough. I missed the one on E*AY.
Working beautifully. Zero nitrates. The PH of my tank had been creeping slightly lower because I have the large model XL denitrifier on a 125 gal tank and I return the effluent back to the display tank instead of aerating it in a sump.
Midwest suggested that I remove half the sulfur and add calcium media so I now have a 1/4 sulphur 3/4 calcium mix and the PH has gone back to 8.1-8.3.
Other than changing the sulfur/calcium mix to 1/4-3/4 the only other maintenance that was needed involved injecting water into the inlet hose, with the syringe they provided to prime the pump. I've had to do this one time when I noticed the flow was slowing and suspected the small plastic tubes were getting blocked up. About a 1' string of white gunk came out and flow returned to normal.
nolan_nike
Member
Originally Posted by Offshore80
Damn I've had mine over a year and "nothing" I feed it every week but the nitrate's are still screaming. I checked yesterday and they were about 100 or so. I did break down and ordered the large sulfer denitrator. I should be here in a few days. Meanwhile I'm doing a 100 gallon water change to help reduce them.
If you haven't yet done the water change I wouldn't. If you are getting the sulfur denitrifier from Midwest their sulfur comes prepopulated with freeze dried bacteria. With that high a nitrates you'll have your nitrate reduction started within a week. The higher the trates in the tank the quicker the sulfur denitrifier "seasons."
Damn I've had mine over a year and "nothing" I feed it every week but the nitrate's are still screaming. I checked yesterday and they were about 100 or so. I did break down and ordered the large sulfer denitrator. I should be here in a few days. Meanwhile I'm doing a 100 gallon water change to help reduce them.
If you haven't yet done the water change I wouldn't. If you are getting the sulfur denitrifier from Midwest their sulfur comes prepopulated with freeze dried bacteria. With that high a nitrates you'll have your nitrate reduction started within a week. The higher the trates in the tank the quicker the sulfur denitrifier "seasons."
nolan_nike
Member
Originally Posted by sac10918
Dr. Reef
Would the Koralline denitrifier by too powerful for a 12 gallon or 24 gallon? If so, can you suggest something that would be more appropriate? THanks
I have not tried this myself, but I have read that in a small tank it can be effective to spread a small amount of sulfur pellets at the bottom of your sand bed to create an area in the tank for sulfur denitrification.
I can adjust the amount of sulfur/calcium to suit my tank size and bioload with my Midwest model. The less denitrification you need the less sulfur you would put into the canister.
Dr. Reef
Would the Koralline denitrifier by too powerful for a 12 gallon or 24 gallon? If so, can you suggest something that would be more appropriate? THanks
I have not tried this myself, but I have read that in a small tank it can be effective to spread a small amount of sulfur pellets at the bottom of your sand bed to create an area in the tank for sulfur denitrification.
I can adjust the amount of sulfur/calcium to suit my tank size and bioload with my Midwest model. The less denitrification you need the less sulfur you would put into the canister.
unleashed
Active Member
it sounds to me like these machanical cures for nitrates are not that effective .nitrates at 50ppm to me are quite high to my standards i freak if they hit 25 although weekly water changes are tedious and time consuming they are vey beneficial to your tanks if your biological filtration cannot compensate for such bioloads.i keep heavily stock tanks feed 3 times daily weekly water changes 25% on a normal testing my nitrates are below 25ppm ammonias .20 i run proclear wet dries and protien skimmer i dont use nitrate sponges. for those that use filter media such as amonia nitrate phosphate and carbon pads these should be changed weekly this will help reduce the build up from leaching back into your systems.
packer
New Member
I have a heavy stocked tank. The filter system is all enclosed within the tank (Seaclear System II ) It uses bio balls but is great at converting wastes and supplying oxygen so I keep them intact. The only real drawback of this system is the end Nitrate result. Even with alot of live rock it could not keep up. I would do weekly 30% water changes to keep the nitrates low, but even with that the were creeping higher and higher as You can only reduce them so much through dilution. As I do not have time to mix my own and do not have a R/O filter I would purchase water from my LFS. At about a dollar a gallon, it sure added up!! I purchased and installed the small unit 18 days ago. At installation my nitrates were above 50ppm but not up to 80ppm, my test kit parameters. My tank nitrates as of today are at 10ppm with no water change. I did do a 10% change today just to add fresh water and will always do this small water change by choice. Even with the 30% changes my tank would not go below 20-25ppm. And within a few days they were on the way higher. It has been great to watch this unit work, and I know soon the Nitrate level will be at or close to zero. ALL the tank inhabitants are showing thier appreciation for the reduced nitrates and also cheering from no water change shock! If you are serious about the condition of your reef...this is a must have piece of equipment. I just wonder what I will continue to do with the time it would take to do the weekly water changes...? Guess I will just open a beverage and enjoy the view instead of the tedious work involved!!
reefguy888
New Member
Originally Posted by Packer
I have a heavy stocked tank. The filter system is all enclosed within the tank (Seaclear System II ) It uses bio balls but is great at converting wastes and supplying oxygen so I keep them intact. The only real drawback of this system is the end Nitrate result. Even with alot of live rock it could not keep up. I would do weekly 30% water changes to keep the nitrates low, but even with that the were creeping higher and higher as You can only reduce them so much through dilution. As I do not have time to mix my own and do not have a R/O filter I would purchase water from my LFS. At about a dollar a gallon, it sure added up!! I purchased and installed the small unit 18 days ago. At installation my nitrates were above 50ppm but not up to 80ppm, my test kit parameters. My tank nitrates as of today are at 10ppm with no water change. I did do a 10% change today just to add fresh water and will always do this small water change by choice. Even with the 30% changes my tank would not go below 20-25ppm. And within a few days they were on the way higher. It has been great to watch this unit work, and I know soon the Nitrate level will be at or close to zero. ALL the tank inhabitants are showing thier appreciation for the reduced nitrates and also cheering from no water change shock! If you are serious about the condition of your reef...this is a must have piece of equipment. I just wonder what I will continue to do with the time it would take to do the weekly water changes...? Guess I will just open a beverage and enjoy the view instead of the tedious work involved!!
What kind of denitrator do you have?
I have a heavy stocked tank. The filter system is all enclosed within the tank (Seaclear System II ) It uses bio balls but is great at converting wastes and supplying oxygen so I keep them intact. The only real drawback of this system is the end Nitrate result. Even with alot of live rock it could not keep up. I would do weekly 30% water changes to keep the nitrates low, but even with that the were creeping higher and higher as You can only reduce them so much through dilution. As I do not have time to mix my own and do not have a R/O filter I would purchase water from my LFS. At about a dollar a gallon, it sure added up!! I purchased and installed the small unit 18 days ago. At installation my nitrates were above 50ppm but not up to 80ppm, my test kit parameters. My tank nitrates as of today are at 10ppm with no water change. I did do a 10% change today just to add fresh water and will always do this small water change by choice. Even with the 30% changes my tank would not go below 20-25ppm. And within a few days they were on the way higher. It has been great to watch this unit work, and I know soon the Nitrate level will be at or close to zero. ALL the tank inhabitants are showing thier appreciation for the reduced nitrates and also cheering from no water change shock! If you are serious about the condition of your reef...this is a must have piece of equipment. I just wonder what I will continue to do with the time it would take to do the weekly water changes...? Guess I will just open a beverage and enjoy the view instead of the tedious work involved!!
What kind of denitrator do you have?
granny
Member
Packer, I e-mailed Rick and he contacted me quickly with info on the sulfur unit. They are pricey, but look easy to connect and if they work are worth the $$.
I tend to overstock my tanks because there are just so many beautiful fish to choose from. I keep adding tanks for livestock because I cant pass up the next fish and cant part with the ones I have, though my LFS is great and will give me store credit for anything I want to trade-since they know I take super care of my critters.
My nitrates are not that bad, even with 10 fish in my 75 gallon. They stay around 12.5 and I have a BTA, snake polyps, colonial polyps, candy cane coral, lots of snails and shrimp-nothing ever dies-they are all healthy as can be, but I do frequent water changes, feed lightly, have lots of live rock, a top notch skimmer and a canister for mechanical filtration. I would still like to see my nitrates lower though.
Thanks for the tip. Thats what this web site is all about.
I tend to overstock my tanks because there are just so many beautiful fish to choose from. I keep adding tanks for livestock because I cant pass up the next fish and cant part with the ones I have, though my LFS is great and will give me store credit for anything I want to trade-since they know I take super care of my critters.
My nitrates are not that bad, even with 10 fish in my 75 gallon. They stay around 12.5 and I have a BTA, snake polyps, colonial polyps, candy cane coral, lots of snails and shrimp-nothing ever dies-they are all healthy as can be, but I do frequent water changes, feed lightly, have lots of live rock, a top notch skimmer and a canister for mechanical filtration. I would still like to see my nitrates lower though.
Thanks for the tip. Thats what this web site is all about.
stokedhawk
Member
Do any of you keep clams? I read that clams love nitrates and was wondering if you had clams and then used a denitrator what impact that had on them?
nolan_nike
Member
Originally Posted by stokedhawk
Do any of you keep clams? I read that clams love nitrates and was wondering if you had clams and then used a denitrator what impact that had on them?
I had 200+ nitrate with a Crocea and Derasa clam. I was concerned about how the clams would react to falling/zero nitrates. I read that clams fed on nitrate, and my lighting is probably on the low end of acceptable for the Crocea, so I watched them closely. It seemed to me that they both are opened or extended more, and the Crocea's color has become a little more vivid. No ill effects, I assume this is because even though my nitrate readings are zero the system is still producing nitrate that the clams / liverock / DSB / denitrator / are consuming and the Clam's main food source is light.
Do any of you keep clams? I read that clams love nitrates and was wondering if you had clams and then used a denitrator what impact that had on them?
I had 200+ nitrate with a Crocea and Derasa clam. I was concerned about how the clams would react to falling/zero nitrates. I read that clams fed on nitrate, and my lighting is probably on the low end of acceptable for the Crocea, so I watched them closely. It seemed to me that they both are opened or extended more, and the Crocea's color has become a little more vivid. No ill effects, I assume this is because even though my nitrate readings are zero the system is still producing nitrate that the clams / liverock / DSB / denitrator / are consuming and the Clam's main food source is light.
packer
New Member
I will second that. I have two clams in my tank. Both seem to look a bit better also since the nitrates have dropped to about 5ppm. My thought is that they do well in the real world without nitrates, so why not in a tank?? They get what they need from other sources and really dont eat nitrates, I think its that they can handle higher nitrates without ill effects.