Sulfur denitrator: Can I start and stop use?

chrisk500 · 05/05/2009, 11:58 AM

I have been running the denitrator for a while now and have zero nitrates. What do I do now? Can I put it in some sort of layup condition and just wait until my nitrates start to creep back up again? Do I need to run it all the time? As long as I keep the "resin" submerged in water will it be ok when I do need to run it again?

Thanks for your help!

HighlandReefer · 05/05/2009, 03:07 PM

If you can back it down slowly, I would think this would be a better way to go. I have not used a denitrator, but I believe you can adjust the output.

bertoni · 05/05/2009, 07:02 PM

I'd probably leave it running, but monitor the output carefully. It requires some flow to avoid becoming completely anoxic. I suspect it can be drained and stored dry, if that's preferable.

erbio · 05/06/2009, 01:39 PM

I have heard that they (sulfur dinitrators) can become toxic to your tank if they don't have good flow going through them.

bertoni · 05/06/2009, 02:45 PM

Yes, exactly. If they become stagnant, that can cause major problems. I wouldn't adjust the flow down without knowing the internal state of the denitrator.

tmz · 05/06/2009, 10:39 PM

The sulfur reactor did the job for me, taking nitrates down from 60plus ppm to 0 within 2 months of use.

After running mine at 0 nitrates for two weeks,wide open flowwise, it began to produce hydrogen sulfide. At this point you can reduce the amount of sulfur in the reactor and attempt to achieve a non anoxic balance and run it again or put it on the shelf.

The media should be removed ,rinsed and dried before storing. It can be reused but will have to recyle if you put it back on line.

I chose to take mine offline. I have been dosing a low /moderate amount of carbon(vodka,vinegar and sugar) and nitrates have held at 2 to 5ppm over the last 6 weeks or so without the reactor.

tmz · 05/06/2009, 10:44 PM

PS As a safety , you can pass the effluent through some gfo which will likely change any sufide produced to elemental sulfur. I wouldn't do this on an ongoing basis and would shut down the reactor to lighten the media or shelve it as soon as I noticed hydrogen sulfide and the tank was at 0 nitrates.

05/05/2009, 11:58 AM	#1
chrisk500 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Augusta, SC Posts: 76	Sulfur denitrator: Can I start and stop use? I have been running the denitrator for a while now and have zero nitrates. What do I do now? Can I put it in some sort of layup condition and just wait until my nitrates start to creep back up again? Do I need to run it all the time? As long as I keep the "resin" submerged in water will it be ok when I do need to run it again? Thanks for your help!

05/05/2009, 03:07 PM	#2
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	If you can back it down slowly, I would think this would be a better way to go. I have not used a denitrator, but I believe you can adjust the output. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

05/05/2009, 07:02 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd probably leave it running, but monitor the output carefully. It requires some flow to avoid becoming completely anoxic. I suspect it can be drained and stored dry, if that's preferable. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/06/2009, 02:45 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Yes, exactly. If they become stagnant, that can cause major problems. I wouldn't adjust the flow down without knowing the internal state of the denitrator. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/06/2009, 10:39 PM	#6
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	The sulfur reactor did the job for me, taking nitrates down from 60plus ppm to 0 within 2 months of use. After running mine at 0 nitrates for two weeks,wide open flowwise, it began to produce hydrogen sulfide. At this point you can reduce the amount of sulfur in the reactor and attempt to achieve a non anoxic balance and run it again or put it on the shelf. The media should be removed ,rinsed and dried before storing. It can be reused but will have to recyle if you put it back on line. I chose to take mine offline. I have been dosing a low /moderate amount of carbon(vodka,vinegar and sugar) and nitrates have held at 2 to 5ppm over the last 6 weeks or so without the reactor. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

05/06/2009, 01:39 PM	#4
erbio Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 625	I have heard that they (sulfur dinitrators) can become toxic to your tank if they don't have good flow going through them.

05/06/2009, 10:44 PM	#7
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	PS As a safety , you can pass the effluent through some gfo which will likely change any sufide produced to elemental sulfur. I wouldn't do this on an ongoing basis and would shut down the reactor to lighten the media or shelve it as soon as I noticed hydrogen sulfide and the tank was at 0 nitrates. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.