Sulfur Denitrator Q..... #2!! Randy, Boomer..HELP!!

Rockitmakr · 06/09/2009, 04:50 AM

What would make the effluent on a sulfur denitrator have MUCH higher readings for nitrate that the input?????

Bruno3047 · 06/09/2009, 11:01 PM

I'm not Randy or Boomer, but I know the answer.

The problem is that you have nitrite in your effluent. Most, if not all of the hobby test kits on the market for nitrate will give a false high reading if any nitrite is present.

That's why when trying to adjust the flow rate of your sulfur denitrator, it's important to also test the effluent for nitrite as well as nitrate.

Nitrite in the effluent means that the denitrification process is not being completed and the process is stopping at the NO2 phase, probaby because conditions inside of the reactor are not anoxic enough.

Slow down the flow rate....and test for nitrite.

06/09/2009, 04:50 AM	#1
Rockitmakr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 630	Sulfur Denitrator Q..... #2!! Randy, Boomer..HELP!! What would make the effluent on a sulfur denitrator have MUCH higher readings for nitrate that the input????? __________________ Cheers & Happy Reefing! "You win some, lose some, and wreck some."- Dale Earnhardt. Current Tank Info: 250 Gal. Reef with Softies and SPS-LPS's. A few fishies as well.

06/09/2009, 11:01 PM	#2
Bruno3047 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,018	I'm not Randy or Boomer, but I know the answer. The problem is that you have nitrite in your effluent. Most, if not all of the hobby test kits on the market for nitrate will give a false high reading if any nitrite is present. That's why when trying to adjust the flow rate of your sulfur denitrator, it's important to also test the effluent for nitrite as well as nitrate. Nitrite in the effluent means that the denitrification process is not being completed and the process is stopping at the NO2 phase, probaby because conditions inside of the reactor are not anoxic enough. Slow down the flow rate....and test for nitrite.