I know I can run a calcium reactor as a denitrator

BUT... if I run aragonite on the bottom rather than the top of the sulphur media, can I effectively "double-duty" the reactor so it accomplishes both denitrification AND calcium reactor at the same time?

Will the pH in there get low enough to dissolve the calcium media? If you introduce CO2, is there a downside with the sulfur media?

The whole point of the sulfur media is to build a colony of denitrifying bacteria, and I just wonder if the right bacteria are formed when the pH is 6.6-6.8...


BTW, you think that reactor is big enough for my tank? lol

I'm wndering what a 500 size reactor is gonna do to my 75

I know I can probably "T" off the secondary aragonite bucket to buffer everything back up if I have to run 2 separate reactors, never played with denitrification before so I'm flying blind on this one

Well I think the main thing with the denitrifiers is you only run them when needed and take them offline occasionally.

Also, don't you need a way to vent gasses that build up in a denitrifier?

The sulfur denitrator is designed to create anaerobic bacteria so the introduction of co will not work for the denitrator and of course without the co2 the ph doesn't drop enough to efficiently dissolve the argonite media.

Well I think the main thing with the denitrifiers is you only run them when needed and take them offline occasionally.

Also, don't you need a way to vent gasses that build up in a denitrifier?

you can take them offline if you like but they can be run 24/7 and yes you do have to gas them off.

Well I think the main thing with the denitrifiers is you only run them when needed and take them offline occasionally.

Also, don't you need a way to vent gasses that build up in a denitrifier?dunno about having to take them offline every now and again, as long as they're not clogged whats wrong with having a nutrient poor environment?

Venting gasses is exactly the same for CA reactors as well, they both create acidic water when exiting the reactor(s)

hmmmmm

The sulfur denitrator is designed to create anaerobic bacteria so the introduction of co will not work for the denitrator and of course without the co2 the ph doesn't drop enough to efficiently dissolve the argonite media.dang, was hoping I'd be able to save some counter space... hey, worth asking even if it's not a go

Thanks Grouper

You can use the acidic solution in a sulfur denitrator to dissolve aragonite. But, as the nitrates drop, so does the acidity, thus effectively shutting down your "calcium reactor".

You can use the acidic solution in a sulfur denitrator to dissolve aragonite. But, as the nitrates drop, so does the acidity, thus effectively shutting down your "calcium reactor".
If I read your statement right Raj, if I add aragonite to a denitrifier, it's gonna be a useless denitrator sooner or later

so I'm better off just T ing the output of CA reactor and Denitrator thru the same aragonite buffer canister... so do I need to use a much larger aragonite buffering canister on can my regular small canister buffer enough (it's a DIY made out of an RO can)

REMEMBER, I've only got a 75G tank

I'm still waiting on a perpectual motion machine by you three

You can use the acidic solution in a sulfur denitrator to dissolve aragonite. But, as the nitrates drop, so does the acidity, thus effectively shutting down your "calcium reactor".

I thought about running my denitrator effluent through the calcium reactor but could never get the two drip rates close. I decided the ph was not low enough to significantly reduce the amount of co2 I would use in the calcium reactor so it wasn't worth the effort. I removed the argonite media from my denitrator and never really experienced any change in the pH level of the effluent. I did not see any significant buffering of the effluent but my reactor was working pretty hard to keep up with the bio load so it was probably not enough dwell time to help.

I'm not sure why people would get the nitrates down and then take it offline. You can leave your denitrator running all the time to help "maintain" your nitrate levels. That would be like adding a skimmer to reduce nitrates and take it offline when the levels dropped.:confused2:

I'm still waiting on a perpectual motion machine by you three

I'd put my money on a perpetual sarcasm machine if I was you!!:thumbs::)

lol yeah it seems to be woven in the souls of most here

BAH.. well, I though it was a good idea anyways

BAH.. well, I though it was a good idea anyways

most good ideas, are bad ideas with a little more thought and planning.

most good ideas, are bad ideas with a little more thought and planning.Oh I'm full of bad ideas :yay:

I'd put my money on a perpetual sarcasm machine if I was you!!:thumbs::)

:lol2:

most good ideas, are bad ideas with a little more thought and planning.

+2

I thought about running my denitrator effluent through the calcium reactor but could never get the two drip rates close. I decided the ph was not low enough to significantly reduce the amount of co2 I would use in the calcium reactor so it wasn't worth the effort. I removed the argonite media from my denitrator and never really experienced any change in the pH level of the effluent. I did not see any significant buffering of the effluent but my reactor was working pretty hard to keep up with the bio load so it was probably not enough dwell time to help.

Therein lies the problem..you need higher nitrates~increase your trates and it should work out just fine :)