NITRATE FILTER PROJECT UNDERWAY

[grammodes]

Looking at their patent, 07144509, it appears to be sugars and starches so I doubt you can overdose.

Very interesting read and concept.

Good luck with the denitrification

 

[johnptc]

Looking at their patent, 07144509, it appears to be sugars and starches so I doubt you can overdose.

Very interesting read and concept.

Good luck with the denitrification

yes...that is my hope.........will test however

 

[kmuda]

My question is how is the dosage of the organic carbon substance calculated? My studies on the subject indicate the required quantity of organic carbon fluctuates over time. Too much, and you wind up with high nitrite, or even ammonia, in the outflow. Too little, and you can wind up establishing sulpher fixing bacteria resulting in hydrogen sulphide in the outflow.

In waste water treatment, the effluent is continuously monitored with the dosage of organic carbon adjusted as needed.

Please keep us informed. I know it takes a couple of months to properly establish the denitrifying bacteria, but I will be extremely interested in the results. I have worked on a similar concept on a much smaller scale with limited success, with the primary problem being that the amount of organic carbon required fluctuates.

 

[johnptc]

My question is how is the dosage of the organic carbon substance calculated? My studies on the subject indicate the required quantity of organic carbon fluctuates over time. Too much, and you wind up with high nitrite, or even ammonia, in the outflow. Too little, and you can wind up establishing sulpher fixing bacteria resulting in hydrogen sulphide in the outflow.

In waste water treatment, the effluent is continuously monitored with the dosage of organic carbon adjusted as needed.

Please keep us informed. I know it takes a couple of months to properly establish the denitrifying bacteria, but I will be extremely interested in the results. I have worked on a similar concept on a much smaller scale with limited success, with the primary problem being that the amount of organic carbon required fluctuates.

carbon is set to 3x the ppm of the nitrate in the tank.

the only other person i know doing this on a large scale fish farm uses a regular nitrate test kit.....continous nitrate monitors are 5k and up

where would the sulfur come from to make h2s ??

thanks john

 

[Miles]

okay I know this is a stupid question and I think I know the answer..

but is the De-Nitrater more cost effective than a flow-through system?

Just curious..

Nice work John..

 

[kmuda]

carbon is set to 3x the ppm of the nitrate in the tank.

the only other person i know doing this on a large scale fish farm uses a regular nitrate test kit.....continous nitrate monitors are 5k and up

where would the sulfur come from to make h2s ??

thanks john

I got my info backwards in that incomplete denitrification resulting in the outflow containing nitrite occurs when an insufficient quantity of organic carbon is supplied. That’s what you get for trying to think after a 13 hour shift amidst an 80 hour work week. Sorry.

I am by no means a chemistry expert; so if someone who is, is reading, and my information is incorrect, please correct it. As for where the sulfur comes from, just like there is a nitrogen cycle and a phosphate cycle, there is also a sulfur cycle. Sulfur is found naturally in most water sources as sulfates. We also add it when we feed, the fish add it when they poo, when they drop scales, in the dechlorinatoring chemicals we use, and potentially from the organic carbon itself. Under aerobic conditions, heterotrophic bacteria consuming dead cells release sulfur proteins in the form of hydrogen sulphide, which is easily and quickly oxidized to sulfate. In the absence of oxygen, the sulfates are just recovered to hydrogen sulphide. In all tanks, sulfates will accumulate, same as nitrate, over time, and are removed via water changes.

The same thing that can happen in an undisturbed deep sand or gravel bed can happen in our denitrate filters.

 

[johnptc]

I got my info backwards in that incomplete denitrification resulting in the outflow containing nitrite occurs when an insufficient quantity of organic carbon is supplied. That’s what you get for trying to think after a 13 hour shift amidst an 80 hour work week. Sorry.

I am by no means a chemistry expert; so if someone who is, is reading, and my information is incorrect, please correct it. As for where the sulfur comes from, just like there is a nitrogen cycle and a phosphate cycle, there is also a sulfur cycle. Sulfur is found naturally in most water sources as sulfates. We also add it when we feed, the fish add it when they poo, when they drop scales, in the dechlorinatoring chemicals we use, and potentially from the organic carbon itself. Under aerobic conditions, heterotrophic bacteria consuming dead cells release sulfur proteins in the form of hydrogen sulphide, which is easily and quickly oxidized to sulfate. In the absence of oxygen, the sulfates are just recovered to hydrogen sulphide. In all tanks, sulfates will accumulate, same as nitrate, over time, and are removed via water changes.

The same thing that can happen in an undisturbed deep sand or gravel bed can happen in our denitrate filters.

you sound well informed to me....

i will see what i can find out as well.........

thanks

 

[pacu mom]

Here's an article touting sulfur-based denitrators and comparing them to denitrators using heterotrophic bacteria which have to be fed a carbon source. Constant adjustment is required on these units. Too much alcohol will result in hydrogen sulfide production. Too little alcohol will result in nitrite and nitrates being released in the tank. They also say that these filters produce large amounts of bacterial slime that needs to be removed on a regular basis. Of course, they're pushing sulfur-based denitrators.
http://www.aquariumfish.com/aquariumfish/detail.aspx?aid=17592&cid=3793&search=

http://www.midwestaquatic.com/PRODUCTS/sulfur_denitrifier.htm

 

[kmuda]

I never thanked you for the link to the Micro G product. That product may resolve some of my issues.

EDIT: Hi Pacu Mom.

 

[pacu mom]

Hi kmuda