DIY Coil Denitrator (Step by Step walkthrough with pics)

[elgenyo]

I am going to try to demonstrate step by step how to create one of these bad boys. I've always wanted one and since I am planning a new 100gal Tang tank in my office, I want one up, running and cycled ahead of time.

This is what you'll need!

Lowes shopping list!

$3 - 4" S&D PVC pipe (non schedule 40) got a 10' piece on clearance because the end was cracked
$9 - 75' 1/4" tubing (get more as 75' just fills the pipe and you'll need some for plumbing)
$3.34 - 4" S&D cap X 2

$.33 - 3/4" tee
? - 3/4" ball valve I had laying around
$.46 - 3/4" to 1/2" adapter

$16.64 qty of 3_1/8" Barb x 1/4" MIP(I'm sure something else could be used but I was in a hurry so I grabbed what I knew would work)
$4.36 - qty of 2_1/4" brass coupling
$4.12 - 1/4"x1/2" compression coupling

TOTAL
$41.22

 

[elgenyo]

Now that we have the parts lets get to building this thing!

1. Cut the 4" PVC pipe to 24" (I used a saw but I imagine you could use your teeth if you don't have a saw around)
2. Insert the airline tubing into the pipe (This is where most people will quit because I almost did. My recommendation is to wrap the tubing around the outside first so it takes the general shape of the pipe then insert it using both arms, one in each end. Use a clamp to keep the starting end in place. This will allow you to keep torque on the tubing as you wind it tight along the inside wall)

3. Once finished clamp the end piece so it doesn't unwind on you.
4. Fill pipe with sweet bacteria condos of your choice (I used scrubbies, good luck finding them)

It took 24 pads to fill it to the top.

Set this piece aside as we will now start on the top cap. Don't forget to clamp that end piece because it will unravel on you!

 

[elgenyo]

Forgive me on this part as my camera settings were changed for photographing fish and these closeups of the pvc pipe came out way too bright. I'll try to compensate with detailed description.

5. Get out a drill and a universal bit.

You'll use this to drill the inlet and outlet holes on the 4" cap. So I wouldn't drill holes too big for the 1/8" barb adapters to fit, I traced out the bottom of the adapters using a sharpie.

Again sorry for the brightness! Once the "threaded" end of the adapter has been traced out on the cap take your unibit and slowly drill out the holes being careful not to exceed the trace lines you made. I drilled mine just large enough to where I could screw my adapter into the cap creating a tight seal.

6. Flip the cap over and use plumbers tape around the threading of both adapters.
7. Place a 1/4" brass coupling on both. Tighten the couplings to the adapters using wrenches. Mine were tight enough that leaks were not a concern in this low pressure application.
8. Place the third 1/8 barb adapter on the coupling mated to the inlet, again using tape on the threads.
9. Grab the pipe that we set aside ealier. Attach the airline tubing to the inlet barb. Use PVC primer and cement to secure the cap. Voila! Hope you didn't forget anything because its sealed tight now!

 

[elgenyo]

Let's give this thing a name!

10. To attach it to your setup will differ depending on pipe sizing and such. My return plumbing is 3/4" pvc so adjust according to your setup.
11. Attach 3/4" tee to 3/4" ball valve using 3/4" pvc, primer, cement.
12. Attach ball valve to 3/4" to 1/2" pvc adapter
13. Screw on 1/4"x1/2" compressions coupling
14. Attach airline tubing to the compression end and run this into your sump

Finished!

 

[Flash]

Wow! What a great thread! Good work!

 

[elgenyo]

ty. this was practice for my Tang tank build that I will also do a writeup on step by step. It will have an ATO, Wet/Dry, FBF, this Coil Denitrator.

 

[RBE17]

Nice write up!!! Do you have any experience w/ coil denitrator? I've seen other ones that have valve that you can open to feed the bacteria. I've wondered if the "food" goes in the tubing or just in the pvc tube.

 

[tonymofo]

Gene nitrate buster, buster, buster, buster.......................

What movie was that from again??????


Good job, I might give this a try since you made it look so easy!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ITHURTZ]

interesting......

 

[elgenyo]

I've seen the ones where you can feed the bacteria however I have read that feeding ammonia into one of these can have bad results (sulfuric acid?) I'm just going to allow the bacteria to populate naturally instead of force feeding a colony.