I came across this on the net, I hope some1 will give it a try, and let me know how well it works. 
Seems easy enuff.
Seems easy enuff.DiY De-nitrater
- Thread starter ChickenTeeth
- Start date
THis type of de nitrater filter can and does work but they are very problematic. Very regular testing of the water comming out of the de nitrator must be done to insure it is working properly. Idealy you would want a very low but not anarobic condition inside the denitrater. If it goes anarobic from to slow of a water flow, it is not uncommon it will put hydregen sulphide into your aquarium water which can wipe out your tank. If water flows a little to fast thru the denitrator it can be adding nitrites into the aquarium water. A very high quality water flow controll valve is a must on these. It is also very important that the water flowing thru the system is prefiltered real well, mostly to prevent debris from cloging the controll valve. Many people use a glucose solution to feed the bacteria inside the denitrator, that can be tricky to know how much to add in relationship to flow rate and actual nitrates needing to be processed.
They can work but they are diffacult to get to work properly and if you make a mistake it can kill all your fish. They were real common about 12 or 15 years ago but were so problematic that they have for the most part dissapeared from the hobby.
Water changes work better, are safer and free!!!!!
Joel
They can work but they are diffacult to get to work properly and if you make a mistake it can kill all your fish. They were real common about 12 or 15 years ago but were so problematic that they have for the most part dissapeared from the hobby.
Water changes work better, are safer and free!!!!!
Joel
i believe that most denitrification systems are very hard to properly operate and maintain. i have never personally seen one in use but i would love to see some members' contraptions.
i've reasearched these units also and from the conclusion i've came too is not worth it even the factory units don't out way the pros and cons
IMO and from articles written debunking these units the best way to go is with a planted sump system these will work wonders at soaking up nitrates
i'm tryin to find a good design for myself
By the way Chicken Teeth good thread topic hope theres some good responses its an interesting subject
IMO and from articles written debunking these units the best way to go is with a planted sump system these will work wonders at soaking up nitrates
i'm tryin to find a good design for myself
By the way Chicken Teeth good thread topic hope theres some good responses its an interesting subject
I'm using the Emperor 400 HOB filters. There is an article at the Cichlid Forum website about suping them up so I tried it. Modifying the media baskets and filling them with Seachem Matrix and having air flow upward through them to create a reverse wet dry filtration within the filter made sense to me. Here's what I did. So far no nitrates. 
turtall said:I'm using the Emperor 400 HOB filters. There is an article at the Cichlid Forum website about suping them up so I tried it. Modifying the media baskets and filling them with Seachem Matrix and having air flow upward through them to create a reverse wet dry filtration within the filter made sense to me. Here's what I did. So far no nitrates.
hey turtall could you post a link on that diy or explain the princples behind it i'm always intrested in new ways of tryin to remove nitrates thx fishnut
Someday I've gotta learn how to post links. Is it the cut & paste way? Anyway, Google Cichlid Forum.com, go to Library, go to aquarium Set Ups and scroll down to Power Filter "Tricks".