Sulfur denitrator experiment

Delphinus · #1 12-21-2006, 04:08 PM

Hi,

The volume of media is around 1750ml (so just under 2 litres), which works out to about 1/3 (give or take) of a 1 gallon container of Caribsea LSM.

Flow rate is one drop per 2 to 3 seconds. I haven't worked out what that corresponds to in terms of ml per minute. I think I should work that out, I'll measure how long it takes to fill a 15ml measuring spoon tonight and post back here as that's probably good info to have to help determine whether something is set up right or not.

The water is being recirculated in the first chamber (the sulfur media only) by a mag2. The second chamber (ARM media only) is single pass.

One thought I had is that it's very difficult to determine how well the mag2 is pushing water through the media. I was wondering if it's possible that it's blocked and maybe that could explain things a little? Unfortunately I haven't worked out a way to figure out if there is flow through the media. If I blow bubbles into the intake, I could see where the bubbles go, but then I'm introducing air into the chamber and I would have assumed that's a no-no. But maybe the mag2 isn't enough, maybe it needs a stronger pump to push water through the media.

Also it's a downflow style reactor, I wonder if an upflow would be better.

andresont · #2 12-24-2006, 08:26 AM

"One thought I had is that it's very difficult to determine how well the mag2 is pushing water through the media."

The way i see it you doing everything right. lets waite and see.
Perhaps you could put a "T" with a vlave in the recirculation line to see how much you actually recirculating (instead of blowing air in the unit).When you open that valve you could get an idea of how much flow you get or at least you know that Mag pump is has good flow.
Other then that i thank you for keeping us informed.

Delphinus · #3 12-25-2006, 04:42 AM

Unfortunately I don't have a recirc line on this reactor.

Anyhow I did blow some air in. Had to open my valve and reset it afterwards. But it did show the pump is running.

Tomorrow is day 28 -- four weeks and counting. Nitrates still off the chart, nitrites still off the chart. I'm about ready to give up. I don't see any downward trend in the numbers. I don't see how reeferaddict could have such profound results in a month.

Should have gone zeovit when I had the chance. My poor tank.

I suggest to anyone reading this, don't bother with sulfur denitrators, unless you're willing to wait 15 years to see results. At least for me it's just like the Calfo DSB in a bucket idea. .. it just doesn't work.