DIY Denitrator
- Thread starter ar0wan
- Start date
been looking at some of the anoxic filters the koi folks use in their ponds with kitty litter and laterite. Has anyone tried this in an sump? Getting some crazy results being over stocked and only 2 water changes a year. I understand that in an outdoor pond there is new water via rain, and I am sure they are topping off. If you can get rid of nitrate without water changes, wouldn't the industry be out to charm you.
What is your flow rate? I herd that the flow should be like 2 drops a minute.
Also, would there grow more bacteria in the tubes if u scraped the insides with some steel wool or something with a wire/string?
Also, would there grow more bacteria in the tubes if u scraped the insides with some steel wool or something with a wire/string?
I agree with your question Good_Times.... I've also read that the flow rates through de-nitrators is supposed to be crazy slow. It seems to be a balance that is critical to reach.....
a.) to much flow= don't get rid of all the oxygen and thus do not grow anaerobic bacteria, thus no effect on nitrates.
b.) to little flow= risk of stagnant water and poisoning the tank with funk.
From what I can tell, people kind of just poke around, making adjustments until the water parameters start to show the proper results.
What I would like to see is exact measurements of the build(s). What size tubing and exactly how many feet of tubing did you use? What flow rate are you attempting. What flow indicator have you decided/ found to use?
I know that some of these were posted in the beginning of the thread and before I start my project I'll read through again just to make sure I've come as close as possible. But, overall I think that alot of the DIY projects end up changing on the fly so much they have a hard time deciding when and how to document what has been done. It ends up being a single post here and a short string there, as they work out the best course of action.
If we start using some sort of standard for posting exact measurements of the builds AND the water parameters on different sized tanks, we could build up a stronger track record. If several of us build a denitrator that was 18" tall by 6" diameter with 50' of 3/8" black poly tubing inside wrapped around a 3" pvc pipe inside that was filled with 200 bio balls and one of us had it on a 50 gallon tank, one had it on a 75 gallon tank and one had it on a 150 gallon tank, we could see a trend of dependability and operational limits. Of course, I realize that sheer tank size isn't the only relevant aspect, but I think you know what I mean.
Anyhow, sorry for the rant/ hijack....back to your regular scheduled viewing.
a.) to much flow= don't get rid of all the oxygen and thus do not grow anaerobic bacteria, thus no effect on nitrates.
b.) to little flow= risk of stagnant water and poisoning the tank with funk.
From what I can tell, people kind of just poke around, making adjustments until the water parameters start to show the proper results.
What I would like to see is exact measurements of the build(s). What size tubing and exactly how many feet of tubing did you use? What flow rate are you attempting. What flow indicator have you decided/ found to use?
I know that some of these were posted in the beginning of the thread and before I start my project I'll read through again just to make sure I've come as close as possible. But, overall I think that alot of the DIY projects end up changing on the fly so much they have a hard time deciding when and how to document what has been done. It ends up being a single post here and a short string there, as they work out the best course of action.
If we start using some sort of standard for posting exact measurements of the builds AND the water parameters on different sized tanks, we could build up a stronger track record. If several of us build a denitrator that was 18" tall by 6" diameter with 50' of 3/8" black poly tubing inside wrapped around a 3" pvc pipe inside that was filled with 200 bio balls and one of us had it on a 50 gallon tank, one had it on a 75 gallon tank and one had it on a 150 gallon tank, we could see a trend of dependability and operational limits. Of course, I realize that sheer tank size isn't the only relevant aspect, but I think you know what I mean.
Anyhow, sorry for the rant/ hijack....back to your regular scheduled viewing.
Apparently my natural charm works as well on internet forums as it does at house parties.
I know how to kill a conversation.... don't you worry.
I know how to kill a conversation.... don't you worry.
