Denitrators

R

ReefNut2010

Are denitrators a good investment? Do you guys use them and can you recommend a good unit that will work well? Nitrates are presently about 30ppm and not dropping with water changes.
 
Might look into biopellets. I have had good success with them. You need to go half the size recommended and slowly add them till you reach recommended amount.

I use vertex biopellets
 
I have a Midwest Aquatic Sulfur DeNITRIFIER and it works as describes. Have used it on two different tanks. It is expensive take a few weeks to get started and once the nitrates are down it acts up and I take it off. I have to agree with kuyatwo and recommend the Biopellets. Warner Marine has Ecobak and BRS has some now also. The bio pellet reactors are cheaper, it keeps working at low levels and some are reporting lower phosphates also. I would let you borrow the DeNITRIFIER but based on your location I think the bio pellets would be cheaper than gas.
 
You also need to find the source of the nitrates. Usually it is because of over feeding the fish or skimmer not powerful enough for the bioload
 
Decided on the bio pellets. I bought the reactor/pellet combo & feed pump from BRS (pretty good deal). Wish me luck !! I hope this is easier to deal with than Vodka dosing !! I hate bacterial blooms !! Just want these trates lowered. Kuyatwo, do you know of any difference in performance based on brand, or do they all perform similarly?
 
@ReefNut2010 wrote:
Decided on the bio pellets. I bought the reactor/pellet combo & feed pump from BRS (pretty good deal). Wish me luck !! I hope this is easier to deal with than Vodka dosing !! I hate bacterial blooms !! Just want these trates lowered. Kuyatwo said:
I have only used vertex as they are sold at lfs. Make sure you soak them for 24 hours and start out with half a dose are my reccomendations
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Well, I got my Bio pellets and reactor with MJ1200 pump. Put half the recommended amount of pellets, added some salt water to let them soak and conected the reactor for when it's time to get it running. It came with 2 flow restrictors ( 1 for input & output I'm guessing). I only put 1 on the IN side of the reactor. Don't see the need for 2 !! This reactor came with some connectors I had not seen before. You simply push them in. I hope it doesn't leak. The lines were pretty stiff !!

Two questions........................How long before I add the remainder of the Bio pellets? Does this allow for more frequent feedings, as does Vodka dosing?
 
I would wait for your tank to adjust and bacteria to build up. First time I did a full dose I lost chalice colonies. I still dose 1/2 for 3 months now finally going to try full dosage.
 
I will wait 8 weeks and add the remainder at that time. I believe this time frame should be enough for the bacteria to colonize (as per instructions). If anyone else uses bio pellets and has any info to add. It's surely welcomed !! [smilie=smile.gif] !!
 
Just to double check !! These pellets did not include a measuring device. I used something from the kitchen (1/4 cup measuring unit). Is this alright? Just wondering and hoping I did not add to much.
 
Denitrification and phosphate reduction can be accomplished effectively by a using a properly sized skimmer for upstream ogranic export and plenty of macro algae such chaeto in your refugium for downstream nitrate export. A deep sand bed can help as well. All those methods require no additional cost after setup. Chemical denitrifaction should only be considered once these methods no longer prove to be enough and utilizing a larger skimmer/fug is not an option.
IMHO, the simple answer to your initial question whether denitrators are a good investment is no. Denitrators can be fairly expensive compared to alternative methods listed above due to the continued maintenance costs of new media.
Since you've pulled the trigger, hope it works for you though! I have little experience using denitrators. Cheers!
 
Starscream (Transformers Fan???) I am...LOL. Anyway back to topic............I have a 120g system that's almost 1yr old. It has a fuge with 3" sand bed some large pieces of live rock and Cheato. My skimmer is a SWC Xtreme 180 cone skimmer and yet my trates were becoming a serious problem. I cut down feedings to 2-3 cubes per day and large water changes were also done. Not much change in trates were noticed. I'm hoping the bio pellets work. Initial investment was reasonable, especially if it performs as stated. Media has become much cheaper, so changing pellets every 6-12 months is not bad at all. Better than doing these ridiculous water changes every week !! You're right about it being the last option though.
 
I cut down feedings to 2-3 cubes per day and large water changes were also done. said:
WoW.....you cut down to 2-3 cubes a day, that is still a lot of food. That is definately a reason the trate's ain't moving much along with too small of a water change.

Cheers,
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Ron, when I don't feed my fish at least 2 cubes per day (1 morning & 1 afternoon or night) my corals get nipped. At least this is my observation to date. The large water changes(40-50g)get expensive, so I want to stop that asap. I'm sure the pellets will do their job !!
 
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