Nitrate reducer

[reefmontalvo]

So NEOZEO is for the first five weeks along with MicroBacter7, then after five weeks you just dose MicorBacter7 from then on? And Biofuel is just carbon in the reactor. Also could you send me a copy of the PDF on this product. I read the thread on RC.

Edited October 26, 2008 by reefmontalvo

[CHUBAKAH]

Here is the thread on here

 

Read the whole PDF, and if you have questions after that I'll be happy to help, but no to your question. Your about 50% right.

 

BTW The download is located in the first post.

[reefmontalvo]

Cool, Thanks !!! I thought about this and I think I will start using this method for the corals. I guess this method also keeps cyano away since you are taking away most of the nutrients.

[reefmontalvo]

Well I got the system today. I mentioned yoru name and I think he added about 20% extra to the bill. LOL I will set up the system on Wednesday when I get off work. I also tried to download the pdf file but for soem reason it will not work I keep getting random sites.

[lancer99]

 

Deep sand beds don't always work. Ask Lanman, or Highlandreefer.

Then they did something wrong. A properly set-up DSB will keep your nitrates <1.0 ppm, with no need for expensive additives like Zeovit or Probidio, or whatever the flavor of the month is.

 

-R

[lanman]

Then they did something wrong. A properly set-up DSB will keep your nitrates <1.0 ppm, with no need for expensive additives like Zeovit or Probidio, or whatever the flavor of the month is.

 

-R

Well, then can you describe 'properly set-up'?

 

How much DSB does one need per tank volume? Measured in cubic feet of sand? Square feet of surface?

How deep is deep enough?

How much water flow?

Is light required? How much? What kind?

Are results measurable? Can I measure nitrates at the input, and at the output and see a difference?

 

bob

[reefmontalvo]

Well, then can you describe 'properly set-up'?

 

How much DSB does one need per tank volume? Measured in cubic feet of sand? Square feet of surface?

How deep is deep enough?

How much water flow?

Is light required? How much? What kind?

Are results measurable? Can I measure nitrates at the input, and at the output and see a difference?

 

bob

 

I'm glad you asked these questions. I was at BRK this morning and we spoke of DSB's but it was a brief talk.

[lancer99]

4-6" of Aragamax sand.

 

Flow seems irrelevant...I have a lot of flow in my frag tank and a lot less in my softy tank.

 

I don't see how light would be a concern.

 

I was to a certain extent playing the devil's advocate, but that is what works for me. After the initial break-in period, I've never had nitrates over 1.0 ppm in any of my tanks (Salifert test.)

 

I don't see how it would be practical to measure the nitrate inputs, since they are an intermediate product...either for a tank with a DSB, or any other tank.

 

-R

[lanman]

4-6" of Aragamax sand.

 

Flow seems irrelevant...I have a lot of flow in my frag tank and a lot less in my softy tank.

 

I don't see how light would be a concern.

 

I was to a certain extent playing the devil's advocate, but that is what works for me. After the initial break-in period, I've never had nitrates over 1.0 ppm in any of my tanks (Salifert test.)

 

I don't see how it would be practical to measure the nitrate inputs, since they are an intermediate product...either for a tank with a DSB, or any other tank.

 

-R

 

I was talking about a remote DSB. Which I've decided to do - following the 'bucket principle' shown in another thread.

 

bob

[reefmontalvo]

I was talking about a remote DSB. Which I've decided to do - following the 'bucket principle' shown in another thread.

 

bob

 

 

Isnt' that just another form of a refugium?

[Highland Reefer]

IMO keeping nitrates below 0.2 ppm and phosphates below 0.03 are the main problems in reefing. You guys have hit on many of the methods used to do this. What is the main cause of the problem? I think that setting up a reef system with a sand bed with less than 4" is the main offender. The shallow sand beds are nutrient sinks. I feel that either going bare bottom or installing at least a 4" (preferably 6") sand bed and not stirring it up are the best approaches. You will need adequate water flow to prevent settlement of food and excrement.

 

The top 10 methods used to reduce nitrates & phosphates (they all will help):

 

1) Proper water flow.

2) Use RODI water.

3) Proper feeding habits.

4) Keeping the proper bio-load in your system (number of fish).

5) Proper skimming techniques.

6) Install a refugium with a 6" deep sand bed & macro algae (the bigger the better).

7) Dose iron for your macroalgae.

8) Keep your water temperature between 80-82 which will double the rate of reproduction of the bacteria vs. temp. below 80.

9) Install a GFO/GAC reactor.

10) If all the above fail, then dose a carbon source.

 

Most hobbyists will need to use a combination of the above to achieve the levels desired.

 

Carbon dosing: You will have a choice of using vinegar, vodka, sugar, store bought additives like NEOZEO or combinations thereof. They all have their pros & cons. They all work, but you need to know about their cons. I personally use vinegar with kalk, primarily because with it I do not have to dose for alk or calcium.

Edited November 10, 2008 by Highland Reefer

[lancer99]

I was talking about a remote DSB. Which I've decided to do - following the 'bucket principle' shown in another thread.

 

bob

 

Why would it make any difference whether a DSB is remote or not?

 

-R

[reefmontalvo]

Well would a remote DSB in your refugium work? I was thinking about adding another 3" inches in the Fug now. I have live rock and about 1"-2" in there now and a normal HD 90w light above the set up.

[Highland Reefer]

The more anaerobic & aerobic bacteria your system can house, the more nitrates and phosphates can be broken down. Carbon sources dosed will be able to drive a lot more bacteria, if you decide to go that route.

[lanman]

Why would it make any difference whether a DSB is remote or not?

 

-R

 

Measuring input/output. Tank-------------measure----------RDSB-------measure--------------Tank

 

bob