np bio pellets or sulfur denitrator?

danrobberg · 12/25/2009, 01:44 AM

my nitrates are driving me crazy and having a worse effect on my corals. im debating weather to buy the np biopellets and a brs jumbo reactor or a koraline denitrator. the np biopellets and reactor would cost me a little over 200 and the koraline reactor would cost almost 400. does anyone have any experience with these items? i think the jury is still out on the biopellets, and i dont want to have to bleed air out of the koraline reactor every day. also i dont know how much the sulfur will effect my ph. i know it comes with a calcium media to help with that but im looking for the easyiest way. cost is not a huge issue but i would always prefer to pay less, but im willing to pay more for the long term health of my system if need be.

coralmojo · 12/25/2009, 02:24 AM

how about dosing vodka/vinegar/sugar?...doesn't get much cheaper than that and it will get your nitrates down...

DrMerle

lordofthereef · 12/25/2009, 02:27 AM

There is a thread for biopellets someplace on here. The great thing about them IMO if they truly work how they claim is just the simply convenience. Sure you can dose daily, but I think that throwing those pellets into a reactor and just letting them do their thing (again, if they truly work this way) would be a really awesome and easy thing to do. Sort of the difference between dripping kalk versus a calcium reactor or kalk reactor.

mmotown · 12/25/2009, 03:48 PM

Me geting a sulphur denitrator was thebest thing I ever did. Once it is established, it is a set it and forget it hing. I have a 150 gal tank. I did everything to bring my nitrates down from water changes, less feeding etc........ This is the way to go!

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/25/2009, 04:19 PM

MMotown which denitrator do you use? I have high bioload in my system and do regular water changes but can never get them below 20ppm

DeepReefExotics · 12/25/2009, 08:08 PM

I use a natureef denitrator and once it cycled its awsome. Only thing is a long cycle time. Also unlike the sulfur there is absolutly no way to nuke ur tank with it.

danrobberg · 12/25/2009, 09:12 PM

natureef or nutrifreef? i think i was looking at one of those also. the thing is with vodka dosing is you have todo it every day. i dont want to do that. i also dont want to deal with cyno in the tank. i want the easiest most effective way

triton3d · 12/26/2009, 07:40 AM

Sulfur Denitrator.. the only thing that helped me, and fast!!!!

Mke

HighlandReefer · 12/26/2009, 09:25 AM

Randy discusses the different methods of reducing nitrate in a reef aquarium in this article. IMHO, it is best to use a combination of methods to reduce nitrate. There seems to be draw backs and benefits to all the methods.

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...t2003/chem.htm

Subie · 12/26/2009, 10:48 AM

I purchased a used sulfur denitrator from a fellow forum member (Midwest Aquatics version but I had also considered the Korallin one) - I agree with mmotown - it was the best thing I ever did

Nitrates went from around 25ppm to 0, and based on advice from Midwest, I only had to use about 2 inches of sulfur (it's only a 40 gallon tank). It's just set it and go, although I did have to replace the return tube when it got clogged.

I had used AZ-NO3 and that worked well, too. The problem is that I had to keep using it to keep my nitrates down.

tmz · 12/26/2009, 10:58 AM

Hi Dan , When you bring that monti over , I can show you the sulfur dinitator and help you build one if you like. I'll tell you what t parts you need. I have the taps you can use for fitting the valves. I tried a variety of methods( dsb, ectra skimming, more macroalgae space,seachem matrix, crytic zone, etc. ) before jumping to the sulfur denitrator The sulfur denitrtor knocked them down quickly, Now I maintain them with the help of vodka and vinegar.

danrobberg · 12/26/2009, 01:48 PM

cool tom thanks

mmotown · 12/26/2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC/NJREEFS

MMotown which denitrator do you use? I have high bioload in my system and do regular water changes but can never get them below 20ppm

I use the Koralin Denitrator. Same as my Ca Rx. When I started my tank over I went with new sand and I cooked my LR. I believe your sand can become exhausted and your LR can collect alot of crud. The main thing was my bio load and I like alot of fish activity in my tank. When I say I did everything from dosing vodka (lost corals behind it too!) to what's required of us in this hobby, it didn't work. I don't swear by much NYC but I do swear by this!

IshFish · 01/04/2010, 01:14 PM

Hopping on this thread --

I also have the MidWest DeNitrator going for about 2 months now. I have a high bioload in my tank (180 gal display + sump - displacement from rock and sand). I've only been able to get the Nitrates down to about 25-30ppm and that's with doing 30 gal water changes about once every week (more if time permits).
I have a mixed reef, but would like to go SPS dominant and am afraid of getting some really nice pieces of SPS only to have them bleach out, receed, etc b/c of the nirtates. All other params are with in a very acceptable range.
All the reviews I read about the MWA sulfur DeNitrator said that their nitrates were down to zero or there about in a couple of weeks....so what gives? I have no nusance algae and coraline is growing here and there, so a bit confused about what I'm doing wrong?.

Subie · 01/04/2010, 01:33 PM

What was your nitrate level before?

What does the effluent test at now? How much sulfur is in your unit? Have you tried to increase the output, test, and if it's 0, let it stay there, increase it again, test, etc. ?

vegaskid11 · 01/04/2010, 02:18 PM

Sulfur Denitrators Rock

I used a coralife calcium reactor for my SD and these units are ready to go right outa the box and for a 1/4 of the price of a specialty SD. The DIY versions are even cheaper. I like the coralife units because the cylinder is clear and I can see the media. They also come with a probe holder in the lid which can be fitted with valve for degassing.

The SD has taken my no3 levels in my 500 gallon reef from 50-60 to less than 20 in about 5 weeks and they continue to drop. I only used 2.5 liters of sulfur and 2 liters of matrix in the reactor.

Thing is awesome.

IshFish · 01/04/2010, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subie

What was your nitrate level before?

What does the effluent test at now? How much sulfur is in your unit? Have you tried to increase the output, test, and if it's 0, let it stay there, increase it again, test, etc. ?

Nitrates before were at about 50 ppm prior to running of the DeNitrator.

The effluent is at zero nitrate and has been for a while.

I put in what the instructions said to, so I filled it up about 3/4 of the way with sulfur media and then the rest of the way with the calcium media. Some of the Ca media has dissolved since I put it in.

I increased the out put a few days ago when I did my maintenence on the sump (skimmer cleaning, etc). I haven't tested the tank in a day or two. I figured I'd give it time and then test again.

Is it possible to have too much out put/effluent, or am I supposed to keep it at a 1 or 2 drip per second rate?

Thanks!

Subie · 01/04/2010, 03:59 PM

I have a 40 gallon tank and I only use 2" (at most) of sulfur. The rest is calcium reactor media.

You can increase it by more than 1-2 drips per second. The instructions state that your drip rate should be 2-3 drops per second (3-6 for the large unit). After 4-5 weeks, the drip rate can be adjusted, esp. if you smell a rotten egg smell. After a month, test the effluent. If it's 0, you can increase it by 1 drop per second. Wait 2 days, test, and if the effluent is 0, increase it by another drop per second.

IshFish · 01/04/2010, 04:26 PM

K. I just tested both again. Drip rate is about 4-5 a second and zero nirtates. Tank is still hanging at ~25ppm. I guess I'l wait another day or two and increase the drip rate again.
Also, I figured I'd mention that I am using a new Sailfert test kit for this.

toninho · 01/11/2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IshFish

K. I just tested both again. Drip rate is about 4-5 a second and zero nirtates. Tank is still hanging at ~25ppm. I guess I'l wait another day or two and increase the drip rate again.
Also, I figured I'd mention that I am using a new Sailfert test kit for this.

I use the Korallin biodenitrator in my redmax 130 tank, at the rate of 1 drip per second and lowered my No3 to undetectable in 4 weeks. the ph of the effuent is 7.8, but if I increase to 2 drips per second the ph falls to 7.1. So the drip rate should be at the minimun to keep your n03 undetectable and not lower the ph toomuch.

12/25/2009, 01:44 AM	#1
danrobberg Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 962	np bio pellets or sulfur denitrator? my nitrates are driving me crazy and having a worse effect on my corals. im debating weather to buy the np biopellets and a brs jumbo reactor or a koraline denitrator. the np biopellets and reactor would cost me a little over 200 and the koraline reactor would cost almost 400. does anyone have any experience with these items? i think the jury is still out on the biopellets, and i dont want to have to bleed air out of the koraline reactor every day. also i dont know how much the sulfur will effect my ph. i know it comes with a calcium media to help with that but im looking for the easyiest way. cost is not a huge issue but i would always prefer to pay less, but im willing to pay more for the long term health of my system if need be.

12/25/2009, 02:27 AM	#3
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	There is a thread for biopellets someplace on here. The great thing about them IMO if they truly work how they claim is just the simply convenience. Sure you can dose daily, but I think that throwing those pellets into a reactor and just letting them do their thing (again, if they truly work this way) would be a really awesome and easy thing to do. Sort of the difference between dripping kalk versus a calcium reactor or kalk reactor. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

12/25/2009, 04:19 PM	#5
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	NP Pellets MMotown which denitrator do you use? I have high bioload in my system and do regular water changes but can never get them below 20ppm

12/26/2009, 09:25 AM	#9
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Randy discusses the different methods of reducing nitrate in a reef aquarium in this article. IMHO, it is best to use a combination of methods to reduce nitrate. There seems to be draw backs and benefits to all the methods. Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...t2003/chem.htm __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

12/26/2009, 10:58 AM	#11
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	Hi Dan , When you bring that monti over , I can show you the sulfur dinitator and help you build one if you like. I'll tell you what t parts you need. I have the taps you can use for fitting the valves. I tried a variety of methods( dsb, ectra skimming, more macroalgae space,seachem matrix, crytic zone, etc. ) before jumping to the sulfur denitrator The sulfur denitrtor knocked them down quickly, Now I maintain them with the help of vodka and vinegar. __________________ 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.

12/25/2009, 02:24 AM	#2
coralmojo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 143	how about dosing vodka/vinegar/sugar?...doesn't get much cheaper than that and it will get your nitrates down... DrMerle

12/25/2009, 03:48 PM	#4
mmotown Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,520	Me geting a sulphur denitrator was thebest thing I ever did. Once it is established, it is a set it and forget it hing. I have a 150 gal tank. I did everything to bring my nitrates down from water changes, less feeding etc........ This is the way to go!

12/25/2009, 08:08 PM	#6
DeepReefExotics Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 239	I use a natureef denitrator and once it cycled its awsome. Only thing is a long cycle time. Also unlike the sulfur there is absolutly no way to nuke ur tank with it.

12/25/2009, 09:12 PM	#7
danrobberg Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 962	natureef or nutrifreef? i think i was looking at one of those also. the thing is with vodka dosing is you have todo it every day. i dont want to do that. i also dont want to deal with cyno in the tank. i want the easiest most effective way

12/26/2009, 07:40 AM	#8
triton3d Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 43	Sulfur Denitrator.. the only thing that helped me, and fast!!!! Mke

12/26/2009, 10:48 AM	#10
Subie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 217	I purchased a used sulfur denitrator from a fellow forum member (Midwest Aquatics version but I had also considered the Korallin one) - I agree with mmotown - it was the best thing I ever did Nitrates went from around 25ppm to 0, and based on advice from Midwest, I only had to use about 2 inches of sulfur (it's only a 40 gallon tank). It's just set it and go, although I did have to replace the return tube when it got clogged. I had used AZ-NO3 and that worked well, too. The problem is that I had to keep using it to keep my nitrates down.

12/26/2009, 01:48 PM	#12
danrobberg Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 962	cool tom thanks

01/04/2010, 01:14 PM	#14
IshFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Howell, Michigan Posts: 13	Hopping on this thread -- I also have the MidWest DeNitrator going for about 2 months now. I have a high bioload in my tank (180 gal display + sump - displacement from rock and sand). I've only been able to get the Nitrates down to about 25-30ppm and that's with doing 30 gal water changes about once every week (more if time permits). I have a mixed reef, but would like to go SPS dominant and am afraid of getting some really nice pieces of SPS only to have them bleach out, receed, etc b/c of the nirtates. All other params are with in a very acceptable range. All the reviews I read about the MWA sulfur DeNitrator said that their nitrates were down to zero or there about in a couple of weeks....so what gives? I have no nusance algae and coraline is growing here and there, so a bit confused about what I'm doing wrong?.

01/04/2010, 01:33 PM	#15
Subie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 217	What was your nitrate level before? What does the effluent test at now? How much sulfur is in your unit? Have you tried to increase the output, test, and if it's 0, let it stay there, increase it again, test, etc. ?

01/04/2010, 02:18 PM	#16
vegaskid11 vegasreefers.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 742	Sulfur Denitrators Rock I used a coralife calcium reactor for my SD and these units are ready to go right outa the box and for a 1/4 of the price of a specialty SD. The DIY versions are even cheaper. I like the coralife units because the cylinder is clear and I can see the media. They also come with a probe holder in the lid which can be fitted with valve for degassing. The SD has taken my no3 levels in my 500 gallon reef from 50-60 to less than 20 in about 5 weeks and they continue to drop. I only used 2.5 liters of sulfur and 2 liters of matrix in the reactor. Thing is awesome.

01/04/2010, 03:59 PM	#18
Subie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 217	I have a 40 gallon tank and I only use 2" (at most) of sulfur. The rest is calcium reactor media. You can increase it by more than 1-2 drips per second. The instructions state that your drip rate should be 2-3 drops per second (3-6 for the large unit). After 4-5 weeks, the drip rate can be adjusted, esp. if you smell a rotten egg smell. After a month, test the effluent. If it's 0, you can increase it by 1 drop per second. Wait 2 days, test, and if the effluent is 0, increase it by another drop per second.

01/04/2010, 04:26 PM	#19
IshFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Howell, Michigan Posts: 13	K. I just tested both again. Drip rate is about 4-5 a second and zero nirtates. Tank is still hanging at ~25ppm. I guess I'l wait another day or two and increase the drip rate again. Also, I figured I'd mention that I am using a new Sailfert test kit for this.