Denitrator Showdown

NexDog · 08/09/2006, 05:55 AM

I need to get a Denitrator asap so the quest begins....

H&S 150SR Nitrate Reactor ($459.99) from Aquarium Specialty - rated up to 500 gal.

Sulfur DeNITRIFIER XL ($439.95) from MidWestAquatic - rated 250g to 500g.

Korallin BioDenitrator S-3002 ($485.00) from MarineDepot - rated up to 400g.

I heard the Koralin is somewhat to setup and the MidWestAquatic unit is simpler. The H&S unit is somewhat of an unknown quantity but it looks sweet with the pump housed under it (check out the PDF). I think my choice will be between the H&S and MidWestAquatic. Thoughts, feedback?

da colts · 08/09/2006, 07:28 AM

i have the midwest and it is great, rick is also a pleasure to deal with.

reefguy888 · 08/09/2006, 11:46 AM

I'm pretty sure the H&S has to be run in a sump. I have too much junk in there already. That's why I went with MA. MA and KOR can be in sump or out. It works great for me. But they all take a little tweaking to get them right.

NexDog · 08/09/2006, 06:54 PM

Pretty sure the H&S has to run dry.....Here's some good info on it

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/inde...howtopic=40899

da colts · 08/09/2006, 09:45 PM

the h and s has to be run in a sump. we sold 1 where i work and the pump is located at the bottom.

twon8 · 08/09/2006, 10:00 PM

have you tried a deep sand bed in a bucket? I have never had a problem with nitrates, how high are they that you are considering a denitrator?

Atlantis Aquariums · 08/10/2006, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefguy888
I'm pretty sure the H&S has to be run in a sump. I have too much junk in there already. That's why I went with MA. MA and KOR can be in sump or out. It works great for me. But they all take a little tweaking to get them right.

Actually the H&S denitrator can be run internal or external.

Marvin

NexDog · 08/10/2006, 06:13 AM

Yea, so I was led to believe too....

Anthony - as I said in my thread, just don't have teh space for an rDSB. For a 450g system, I would need a 50g container for of sand and I have nowhere to but that. The Denitrator has a tiny footprint so it's a good solution. Nitrates are 20-30 at the mo.

benf · 08/10/2006, 07:30 AM

I decided on the Midwest a few weeks ago...two reasons...i was led to believe the H&S needed to be in the sump(whether true or not i cannot tell u) and reason 2 is that the midwest backs up their unit with that 120day return guarantee!

da colts · 08/10/2006, 07:38 AM

we had both at the store and the midwest aquatics version was built much better than the h&s one. i cannot see how the H&S is a non sump model as the aquabee is attached to the bottom unless you run a hose to the inlet of the pump and then it may not prime.

SeanySean · 08/10/2006, 08:07 AM

I am going to be going with the same as Sulfur DeNITRIFIER XL with the sulphur beads....

I had an Aquamedic one before and never had any problems with nitrates and that was in a 55G with a V lion and Dog face puffer, Beta and a few others

bkwudzjeep · 08/10/2006, 06:22 PM

It seems like the Korallin is based off of the calcium reactor body and you can convert it back and forth to a denitrifier too.....

The conversion kit is $89....maybe I'll try that since I have a C1502 sitting around with a broken lid.....kind of interesting...

Ereefic · 08/10/2006, 08:45 PM

I tried the Midwest Aquatic one. Didn't work for me, and they took it back and gave a full refund well after the 120 day guarantee.

Thumbs up to Midwest for there excellent support, I would give them a shot.

NexDog · 08/11/2006, 06:23 AM

Damn, was almost sold on teh MidWest Aquatic unit. How come it didn't work for you? Did you get another one?

Ereefic · 08/11/2006, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NexDog
Damn, was almost sold on teh MidWest Aquatic unit. How come it didn't work for you? Did you get another one?

I don't know why it didn't work. May have been me , my tank, I don't know. But Rick was always there trying to help, I just couldn't get it working. I was one of two who it didn't work for.

At least I wasn't stuck with it. Sent it back and got a full refund.

If I got another, I wouldn't hesitate to get it from them again. Great support and service.

AcroSteve · 02/18/2007, 03:55 PM

What did you end up with?

The Koralin and the Midwest look very similar. And I am sure the H&S is a well built unit, but the powerhead looks a little out of place. I wold like to see a regular pump like the eheim.

rpeeples · 02/18/2007, 09:21 PM

Looks like the Midwest carbon copied the Korallin 1502? Very similar in design from the links provided above. I have the 1502 calc. reactor.

mta · 02/18/2007, 09:28 PM

I still use the Aquamedic 1000 on my 75.No complaints.

08/09/2006, 05:55 AM	#1
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	Denitrator Showdown I need to get a Denitrator asap so the quest begins.... H&S 150SR Nitrate Reactor ($459.99) from Aquarium Specialty - rated up to 500 gal. Sulfur DeNITRIFIER XL ($439.95) from MidWestAquatic - rated 250g to 500g. Korallin BioDenitrator S-3002 ($485.00) from MarineDepot - rated up to 400g. I heard the Koralin is somewhat to setup and the MidWestAquatic unit is simpler. The H&S unit is somewhat of an unknown quantity but it looks sweet with the pump housed under it (check out the PDF). I think my choice will be between the H&S and MidWestAquatic. Thoughts, feedback? __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

08/09/2006, 07:28 AM	#2
da colts Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: chesterfield,va Posts: 502	i have the midwest and it is great, rick is also a pleasure to deal with. __________________ There's a message from beyond in secret, reaching out to you it's filled with regret, it's all over in a riddle of death, above and beyond you. Current Tank Info: 125 f.w.l.r,7 vho,midwest aquatics sulfur denitrator,octopus skimmer,calcium reactor,1/3 hp chiller,vortechwave pump,old school wet/dry125 african cichlid

08/09/2006, 06:54 PM	#4
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	Pretty sure the H&S has to run dry.....Here's some good info on it http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/inde...howtopic=40899 __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

08/09/2006, 09:45 PM	#5
da colts Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: chesterfield,va Posts: 502	the h and s has to be run in a sump. we sold 1 where i work and the pump is located at the bottom. __________________ There's a message from beyond in secret, reaching out to you it's filled with regret, it's all over in a riddle of death, above and beyond you. Current Tank Info: 125 f.w.l.r,7 vho,midwest aquatics sulfur denitrator,octopus skimmer,calcium reactor,1/3 hp chiller,vortechwave pump,old school wet/dry125 african cichlid

08/09/2006, 10:00 PM	#6
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	have you tried a deep sand bed in a bucket? I have never had a problem with nitrates, how high are they that you are considering a denitrator? __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

08/09/2006, 11:46 AM	#3
reefguy888 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 36	I'm pretty sure the H&S has to be run in a sump. I have too much junk in there already. That's why I went with MA. MA and KOR can be in sump or out. It works great for me. But they all take a little tweaking to get them right.

08/10/2006, 06:13 AM	#8
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	Yea, so I was led to believe too.... Anthony - as I said in my thread, just don't have teh space for an rDSB. For a 450g system, I would need a 50g container for of sand and I have nowhere to but that. The Denitrator has a tiny footprint so it's a good solution. Nitrates are 20-30 at the mo. __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

08/10/2006, 07:30 AM	#9
benf Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: wesley chapel, florida Posts: 4,031	I decided on the Midwest a few weeks ago...two reasons...i was led to believe the H&S needed to be in the sump(whether true or not i cannot tell u) and reason 2 is that the midwest backs up their unit with that 120day return guarantee! __________________ Ben Current Tank Info: None :(

08/10/2006, 07:38 AM	#10
da colts Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: chesterfield,va Posts: 502	we had both at the store and the midwest aquatics version was built much better than the h&s one. i cannot see how the H&S is a non sump model as the aquabee is attached to the bottom unless you run a hose to the inlet of the pump and then it may not prime. __________________ There's a message from beyond in secret, reaching out to you it's filled with regret, it's all over in a riddle of death, above and beyond you. Current Tank Info: 125 f.w.l.r,7 vho,midwest aquatics sulfur denitrator,octopus skimmer,calcium reactor,1/3 hp chiller,vortechwave pump,old school wet/dry125 african cichlid

08/10/2006, 08:07 AM	#11
SeanySean Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manchester (UK) Posts: 885	I am going to be going with the same as Sulfur DeNITRIFIER XL with the sulphur beads.... I had an Aquamedic one before and never had any problems with nitrates and that was in a 55G with a V lion and Dog face puffer, Beta and a few others __________________ _______________ You paid how much for moldy rock!!!! Current Tank Info: 130G http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1042110

08/10/2006, 06:22 PM	#12
bkwudzjeep O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,078	It seems like the Korallin is based off of the calcium reactor body and you can convert it back and forth to a denitrifier too..... The conversion kit is $89....maybe I'll try that since I have a C1502 sitting around with a broken lid.....kind of interesting... __________________ "You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead." ~Laurel and Hardy Current Tank Info: Taking a break for a while

08/10/2006, 08:45 PM	#13
Ereefic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,821	I tried the Midwest Aquatic one. Didn't work for me, and they took it back and gave a full refund well after the 120 day guarantee. Thumbs up to Midwest for there excellent support, I would give them a shot.

08/11/2006, 06:23 AM	#14
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	Damn, was almost sold on teh MidWest Aquatic unit. How come it didn't work for you? Did you get another one? __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

02/18/2007, 03:55 PM	#16
AcroSteve Make my Funk a P-Funk Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Electric Avenue Posts: 5,092	What did you end up with? The Koralin and the Midwest look very similar. And I am sure the H&S is a well built unit, but the powerhead looks a little out of place. I wold like to see a regular pump like the eheim. __________________ **************** "Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em." -- The Webb Wilder Credo -- don't go ninjin' nobody that don't need ninjin'! Current Tank Info: 220g custom plywood. SPS heavy with Sequence Hammerhead return with 4-Way OM. Tunze 6100, 6200 and Wavebox. 5000btu DIY Chiller. Lighting is 10K mh 250W / VHO Actinic Skimer - H&S A200-2x1260 Last edited by AcroSteve; 02/18/2007 at 04:03 PM.

02/18/2007, 09:21 PM	#17
rpeeples Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NC Posts: 643	Looks like the Midwest carbon copied the Korallin 1502? Very similar in design from the links provided above. I have the 1502 calc. reactor.

02/18/2007, 09:28 PM	#18
mta Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: yonkers new york Posts: 418	I still use the Aquamedic 1000 on my 75.No complaints.