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Krazie4Acans 
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 Posted: May 06 2015 at 8:48am |
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I've also turned a BRS reactor (that was first a bio-denitrator) into a calcium reactor. The design and concepts for the two devices is almost the same (just need a probe port and bubble counter to make the calcium reactor). It's amazing how many things you can make with a recirculating reactor.
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ReefdUp
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Posted: May 06 2015 at 9:20am |
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I've also found that I'm dosing less calcium in running a sulfur denitrator with reactor media as a buffering agent. They're mini calcium reactors by themselves.
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Krazie4Acans
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Posted: May 06 2015 at 9:43am |
I was starting to wonder if you were really running a sulfur reactor and now I have proof that it's running because you can tell me the hidden benefits.  Glad its running well for you.
Edited by Krazie4Acans - May 06 2015 at 9:43am
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aceofspadeskb
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Posted: May 06 2015 at 10:08am |
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Thanks to everyone for this thread! I'm currently trying to build up the guts to try making my own. Very nervous about getting the drill out and drilling in the wrong spot! I'll probably give it a go soon.
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Trevor40
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Posted: May 18 2015 at 1:15pm |
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All those that are running this reactor, how you noticed much of a drop in Alk the first weeks of setup?
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Krazie4Acans
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Posted: May 18 2015 at 1:25pm |
Yes your alk will drop. I added kalk to my top off water to offset it. You can also just dose more Soda ash if you are doing 2 part. Doesn't take much to keep up with it but you do need to add something. Krazie 
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Posted: May 18 2015 at 2:27pm |
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I don't know how I missed this information before setting up the reactor. I am glad I tested to start working on getting the ALK up. Does the demand of alk ever stabilize and stop using ALK?
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Krazie4Acans
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Posted: May 18 2015 at 3:31pm |
The amount needed will stabilize as far as what the reactor is using. If you have growing corals in your tank then the amount needed will always change slightly. Corals use Alk and so does the reactor so if either the number/size of corals or the amount of flow through the reactor change, so does the alk need. Krazie
Edited by Krazie4Acans - May 18 2015 at 3:31pm
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badfinger
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Posted: May 18 2015 at 5:38pm |
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Why does the reactor use alk
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Krazie4Acans
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Posted: May 18 2015 at 9:20pm |
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I'll see if I can find the formula that shows the reaction taking place inside the reactor. If I remember correctly its because the reaction uses the sodium in the alk to produce sodium nitrate which it then converted to nitrogen gas. Don't quote me on that until I find the formula but that's what I think I remember.
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Krazie4Acans
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Posted: May 19 2015 at 8:32am |
Here is a short explanation of what is going on in the denitrator and why it effects alk. Hope this helps. Use A Sulfer Denitrator.
In these systems, bacteria use elemental sulfur and produce N2 from
it and nitrate according the following equation (or something similar):
2 H2O + 5 S + 6 NO3- → 3 N2 + 5 SO42- + 4 H+
It has also been suggested to pass the effluent of such a reactor through a bed of aragonite to use the acid (H+) produced to dissolve the calcium carbonate, and thereby provide calcium and alkalinity to the aquarium.
While that is a fine idea, it doesn’t add much calcium and alkalinity to most aquaria. The acid produced will
have a long term lowering effect on the alkalinity, so if you use it,
watch the alkalinity.
Edited by Krazie4Acans - May 19 2015 at 8:34am
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Trevor40
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Posted: May 19 2015 at 11:13am |
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Krazy, thank for the explanation. I am in the process of raising my alk up 1 dkh per day. It got as low as around 5dkh. It should be around 7 dkh by tonight.
I was reading online that you need to turn up the drip rate if it produces a rotten egg smell. Mine is now smelling so I have increased the rate hoping it helps. Has anyone else experienced that smell and if so how long did it take to go away from increasing flow rate?
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Krazie4Acans
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Posted: May 19 2015 at 11:24am |
Yes you need to increase the flow if you smell rotten egg. You should also check for any trapped gas in teh reactor. The smell should go away within an hour or two of increasing the flow. You should also be checking the effluent coming out of the reactor for Nitrates. Generally speaking if you are smelling something then the reactor is cycling and needs more Nitrates. Once you are on the flow increase side of the cycle just increase the flow a few drips per day and test the effluent again before you adjust to make sure the Nitrates are zero coming out of the reactor. If they are, or you smell eggs, then increase the flow. If they aren't zero then leave the flow the same for another day for the bacteria to catch up the the nitrate level in your water. Krazie
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Posted: May 19 2015 at 11:41am |
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Thanks for the advice, Krazie.
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ReefdUp
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Posted: May 20 2015 at 9:15pm |
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I stopped testing mine. I just increase whenever I smell rotten eggs now. Not the best practice, but it works for now.
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Krazie4Acans
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Posted: May 20 2015 at 9:20pm |
It worked for me too. Keep in mind that once your reactor is running at full capacity and full flow, There may be the need to remove some sulfur from the reactor if you continue to get the egg smell. This is the reactor telling you that it is starving for nitrates and you either need to feed more to create them or reduce the media to lower the reactor capacity. Sounds like everyone that has tried one is having good results. Glad to hear it! Krazie
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relethg
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Posted: May 21 2015 at 7:32am |
Questions for people using this, short or long term: What are the positives and what are the negatives so far?. Could you also list your pre and post water chemistry? What have you had to do to maintain water conditions? Have you seen any changes to your live stock? Did you mix another media with the sulfur(Matrix or any other material)? Are you using anything on top of the sulphur? Are you running the effluent to anything? Why did you chose this over other means to reduce Nitrate? Carbon dosing; Like Vodka, vinegar, matrix or bio pellets. What is the out put of your effluent (PH, Alk, and nitrate)? What would you do different?
Thanks Glenn
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Krazie4Acans
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Posted: May 21 2015 at 9:27am |
I've been running one for just over a year on one tank and 6 months on another. I'll focus my answers on the year old tank because it was the reason I chose to use this method. I'm pretty sure Allen Bishop has been running one longer than that so he may be able to add to my experience. What are the positives and what are the negatives so far?
Positives I can feed and bio load the tank as much as I want and still control the nitrates in the system without huge water changes or other effects. It's not really a negative but increased Alk use due to reactor. No other negatives.
Could you also list your pre and post water chemistry?
I'll only list the chemistry the pertains to the use of the reactor. Pre-reactor pH 8.3 Nitrates 35-40ppm Alk 8.8dKh. Post reactor pH 8.1 Nitrates 4-5ppm Alk 8.7dKh (dosing increased to correct).
What have you had to do to maintain water conditions?
Slight increase in Alk dosing and an increase in feeding. I could also reduce the amount of Sulfur in the reactor to allow for the usual feeding amounts. I chose to feed more.
Have you seen any changes to your live stock?
Much better PE and color in corals due to reduced Nitrates. No other noticeable changes other than fat fish because I can feed more.
Did you mix another media with the sulfur(Matrix or any other material)?
I used ARM media on top to fill the cartridge so that the media doesn't tumble, this also helps a small amount with pH and Alk but not enough to offset the reactor output. You can also just you sponge on top of the sulfur without any other media. Some people use Matrix as a bacteria homing substrate. I chose not to as I want the bacteria to be in contact with the sulfur as much as possible for an efficient reaction. This is all personal choice and doesn't really effect what is going on in the reactor.
Are you using anything on top of the sulphur?
Answered above.
Are you running the effluent to anything?
No, I return in directly to a high flow area of the sump to mix with the tank water. Some run it into more ARM but honestly the pH drop in the reactor is just not enough to effectively break down ARM enough to return the effluent to it's input water levels. The amount of change after running it over ARM before being returned to the tank wasn't enough to warrant an additional media container and extra plumbing and hoses to deal with in the stand.
Why did you chose this over other means to reduce Nitrate?
Because of it's obvious and clear scientific method and theory. Its proven effectiveness. Its simplicity and its longevity. Final factor was that it does not rely on having other equipment to complete it's cleanup. The other methods all require a very efficient skimmer to remove the bi-product from the water. There are also many people who have experienced negative effects of over dosing the other methods of reduction. The only effect of an over filled reactor is a bad smell that your wife will make you solve immediately.
What is the out put of your effluent (PH, Alk, and nitrate)?
pH 7.8-8.0, Alk 7.9dKh, Nitrate 0ppm
What would you do different?
Started using it years ago. Maybe start with a little less sulfur and be patient with bringing the nitrates down slower so that I didn't have to shut down the reactor and remove some media. I think it would be better if you used less media, let the levels come down slower over time and not have to open the reactor for about a year and only to add more media to replace what has been used.
Hope that helps. Krazie
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Posted: May 21 2015 at 11:44am |
Krazie, thanks for taking the time to provide detailed answers. I hope other will as well.
Glenn
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ReefdUp
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Posted: May 21 2015 at 9:15pm |
 Krazie4Acans wrote:
I've been running one for just over a year on one tank and 6 months on another. I'll focus my answers on the year old tank because it was the reason I chose to use this method. I'm pretty sure Allen Bishop has been running one longer than that so he may be able to add to my experience.
What are the positives and what are the negatives so far?<span style="line-height: 1.4;">
Positives I can feed and bio load the tank as much as I want and still control the nitrates in the system without huge water changes or other effects. It's not really a negative but increased Alk use due to reactor. No other negatives.
</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Could you also list your pre and post water chemistry?
I'll only list the chemistry the pertains to the use of the reactor. Pre-reactor pH 8.3 Nitrates 35-40ppm Alk 8.8dKh. Post reactor pH 8.1 Nitrates 4-5ppm Alk 8.7dKh (dosing increased to correct).
</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">What have you had to do to maintain water conditions?
Slight increase in Alk dosing and an increase in feeding. I could also reduce the amount of Sulfur in the reactor to allow for the usual feeding amounts. I chose to feed more.
</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Have you seen any changes to your live stock?
Much better PE and color in corals due to reduced Nitrates. No other noticeable changes other than fat fish because I can feed more.
</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Did you mix </span>another<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span>media<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> with the sulfur(Matrix or any other material)? I used ARM media on top to fill the cartridge so that the media doesn't tumble, this also helps a small amount with pH and Alk but not enough to offset the reactor output. You can also just you sponge on top of the sulfur without any other media. Some people use Matrix as a bacteria homing substrate. I chose not to as I want the bacteria to be in contact with the sulfur as much as possible for an efficient reaction. This is all personal choice and doesn't really effect what is going on in the reactor. </span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Are you using anything on top of the sulphur? Answered above. </span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;">Are you running the </span>effluent<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> to anything? No, I return in directly to a high flow area of the sump to mix with the tank water. Some run it into more ARM but honestly the pH drop in the reactor is just not enough to effectively break down ARM enough to return the effluent to it's input water levels. The amount of change after running it over ARM before being returned to the tank wasn't enough to warrant an additional media container and extra plumbing and hoses to deal with in the stand. </span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Why did you chose this over other means to reduce Nitrate? Because of it's obvious and clear scientific method and theory. Its proven effectiveness. Its simplicity and its longevity. Final factor was that it does not rely on having other equipment to complete it's cleanup. The other methods all require a very efficient skimmer to remove the bi-product from the water. There are also many people who have experienced negative effects of over dosing the other methods of reduction. The only effect of an over filled reactor is a bad smell that your wife will make you solve immediately. </span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">What is the out put of your effluent (PH, Alk, and nitrate)? pH 7.8-8.0, Alk 7.9dKh, Nitrate 0ppm </span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">What would you do different? Started using it years ago. Maybe start with a little less sulfur and be patient with bringing the nitrates down slower so that I didn't have to shut down the reactor and remove some media. I think it would be better if you used less media, let the levels come down slower over time and not have to open the reactor for about a year and only to add more media to replace what has been used. Hope that helps. Krazie </span> |
+1...because I'm too busy with midterms to answer any more detailed. My results/answers are similar.
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