need advice about denitrator for 250+ reef with too many FISH

[tomtoothdoc]

Bob1k, That sounds like a nice system esp, the part that you can ad on to cycle down your po4. I have a aquaripure denitrator that cycles down nitrates threw a natural anerobic bacterial process. I dont know if it produces trace elements but i do know I have 0 nitrates. The only maintence is dosing vodka every couple days and adjusting the outflow due to bacterial blooms in the denitrator. The only con I can see with the system is the water returned to the system is compleatly depleted of o2, but thats not a big deal because its in a 180 and the out flow is rite next to the skimmer intake. I love the damn thing. Iv got over a dozen fish in my tank and 4 of them are big tangs. You can check the denitrator out at www.aquaripure.com

thanks for the input. how long have you been using the aquaripure? how long did it take for the cycling? what's your total volume? which size did you purchased? what was the rate of reduction? especially from 30's down to less than 10? what you dislike about it? how much and how often do you feed it? what happen if something goes wrong....like forgot to feed it, clogged outflow or if it flows too fast? has any problems or malfunction occurred? what is the possible worst case scenario with potential malfunctions? i'm trying to gauge the info. for my tank. i've read about this system but never heard from a first hand experience.
thanks, tom

 

[tomtoothdoc]

I went with the Natureef denitrifier like bob1000, I ended up going with this unit than buying a Dialysea. This unit is basically constantly doing water changes removing nitrates and also with the option to even remove phosphates that seems like a win for me. I have done my research and found that the people that apply this system really do go a long time without water changes and still being able to house SPS and delicate fish with no situation.

how long have you been using it? what was the initial cost and the upkeep....the nutragone and the phophagone? i know it depends on the size and nitrate level but what are those numbers for your tank? what's your total volume and which model did you get? i tried to find out how it works but not much info. on this. i assume the "controller" does everything...pump in a preset amount of water, inject the "feed", circulate for a specific length of time and them pump back? has any problems or malfunction occurred? what is the possible worst case scenario with potential malfunctions?
thanks, tom

 

[Bob 1000]

You pretty much have the main ieda of it.. The worse thing that can happen is you burn you fish with the methanol.. But that won't happen if you leave a small bag of carbon by the return to tank end of the flush... And tha's only if you flush to early before the methanol has cycled the nitrates down to 0..

 

[Galantra]

I just recently bought this unit so i havent connected it yet since I havent set up my new tanks. BOB1000 have all the info since he has been running this system form a while with success. The unit i got is a CDECX2 and i will be running it on a 850g system. If you give them a call they are extremly friendly i even have the tech guy personal cell number if i need any help

 

[cali_reef]

Are you looking up what I already know????
Natureef denitrfier,, I know and understand more than you buddy..

What is the difference between this wonderful product and say, a bucket of your tank water with a small powerhead and some substrate for bacteria to grow, a dose of vodka, mix for a few hours than pour it back in your sump, repeat few times a day?

I took a look at their website today and found their claim of "increase Alkalinity" without any explanation. I think the separate sewage treatment plant concept can slow the rate Alkalinity is being reduced by treating the DOC away from the main tank, but I don't see how they can add (increase) alkalinity?

It?s funny all the "featured tank" pictures on the site are more than 3 years old.. and they don't look "at their peak" to me at all :lol2:.. I didn't see a picture of your tank on there. Make me a believer and show me a picture of your tank at its peak.

 

[Bob 1000]

Wish I had a good picture. Plenty of people her have seen my tank in it's prime and in a few weeks I'll be back up there, and this time around I have a good camera.. And yes you probably could simulate the process that this denitrifier does by doing what you said, but I don't have the time to do that nor does any of us I believe.. It simplifies my day knowing this will lower nitrates and phosphates and add a little bit of the trace elements and "Alkalinity",lol.. I think it's great that I have entered the Sps coral game 3 years ago and never killed a sps..

 

[greggnyce]

I have the natureef unit, it worked great for me on my last system. I currently am not using it because I have not had any problems with nitrate or phosphate on tyhe new system. Tomtoothdoc if you are interested in getting one I might be able to help you out.

 

[18oreefer]

thanks for the input. how long have you been using the aquaripure? how long did it take for the cycling? what's your total volume? which size did you purchased? what was the rate of reduction? especially from 30's down to less than 10? what you dislike about it? how much and how often do you feed it? what happen if something goes wrong....like forgot to feed it, clogged outflow or if it flows too fast? has any problems or malfunction occurred? what is the possible worst case scenario with potential malfunctions? i'm trying to gauge the info. for my tank. i've read about this system but never heard from a first hand experience.
thanks, tom

I have probably had it on my system for about a 1.5yrs. It took about 2 weeks for it to really kick into gear. The tank is 180 and the sump is prob about 40, but if you take into account displacement with the rock your probably lookin at 180 or so true gallons. I purchased the xl, but when i did that they had different gallon ratings for the size back then. If you go with the size for your gallons youll be fine. Im a little oversized for my tank so i have to let it flow at a bit faster rate. I had over 40 parts and i think it took it down to pretty much 0 within 3 months. I cant say there is anything that i dislike about it. 15ml every 3 or 4 days. If you forget to feed it then the bacterial population within it will shrink reducing is nitrate removing ability. If its clogged there will be no adverse effects aside from its not reducing nitrates. When you are first getting it going it will clog twice a day because there is soo much nitrate fr it to use up. I adjust mine twice a day to optamize the flow for nitrate reduction. If it flows too much then it could be less effective, but i cant say for sure. If your good about adjusting the flow then you wont have any problems. I make adjustment part of my feeding routien. i have had no problems. I guess you could say worst case scenario would be it leaking but i havent seen it.

 

[tomtoothdoc]

I have probably had it on my system for about a 1.5yrs. It took about 2 weeks for it to really kick into gear. The tank is 180 and the sump is prob about 40, but if you take into account displacement with the rock your probably lookin at 180 or so true gallons. I purchased the xl, but when i did that they had different gallon ratings for the size back then. If you go with the size for your gallons youll be fine. Im a little oversized for my tank so i have to let it flow at a bit faster rate. I had over 40 parts and i think it took it down to pretty much 0 within 3 months. I cant say there is anything that i dislike about it. 15ml every 3 or 4 days. If you forget to feed it then the bacterial population within it will shrink reducing is nitrate removing ability. If its clogged there will be no adverse effects aside from its not reducing nitrates. When you are first getting it going it will clog twice a day because there is soo much nitrate fr it to use up. I adjust mine twice a day to optamize the flow for nitrate reduction. If it flows too much then it could be less effective, but i cant say for sure. If your good about adjusting the flow then you wont have any problems. I make adjustment part of my feeding routien. i have had no problems. I guess you could say worst case scenario would be it leaking but i havent seen it.

thanks for the reply. these answers/input are exactly what i was looking for. not just...this is what i have and it works. i'll be making my decision pretty soon...like later on this week. i'll keep everyone posted on this journey...thanks, tom

 

[tomtoothdoc]

I have the natureef unit, it worked great for me on my last system. I currently am not using it because I have not had any problems with nitrate or phosphate on tyhe new system. Tomtoothdoc if you are interested in getting one I might be able to help you out.

ygpm
thanks, tom

 

[tomtoothdoc]

Or screw it all and get a Dialyseas & cad system and call it a day.....lol...:splitspin

wish i can have one too....perhaps the kids don't need to go to summer camps....hmmmm......lol

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

wish i can have one too....perhaps the kids don't need to go to summer camps....hmmmm......lol

I'll let you know how it works out....Maybee we send the kids to Grandmas backyard instead....:splitspin

 

[tomtoothdoc]

I'll let you know how it works out....Maybee we send the kids to Grandmas backyard instead....:splitspin

lol....too late for me, one been to camp for three weeks already, the other two are doing wrestling day camp.....may be next summer i'll let them camp out in the backyard the whole summer and get myself a dialyseas/cad unit .......yeah that will fly with the wife......not.....lol

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

:splitspin... My wife would kill me too thats why I have a slush fund...:shhh: and stands and cabinets that hold my new toys..:tongueani

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

If my other half knew how much I have actually spent on this hobby(obsession).... I would be so F-----......:splitspin

 

[Galantra]

I completly understand that i tend to adjust the orginal price when i am talking about anything new

 

[tomtoothdoc]

if you asked my wife how much "fish" things cost? she would tell you all the inverts are about $0.99-9.99. all fishes and corals are from $9.99-39.99 (and that's the real expensive ones). many stuff are free from trading. most of the equipments are bought used from people who broke down their tanks (never mind that some came in boxes by ups or fed-ex). the stand and canopy, the electrical (5x 20 amp dedicated lines), the perfectly leveled tiling, and the humidity controlled ventilated fish room were built by me and some friends.(never mind that i can't cut a 2x4 straight). and the 200gal. 3 sided starphire glass with a custom overflow tank professionally delivered and installed was a gift from a buddy. i have a very generous buddy.....since the tank cost a whopping $499 delivered and installed. so i didn't spend that much money. so i don't know what you and other people complaining about spending huge amount of money on just some fish tank!!!!....lol....hee....hee....hee.
btw i do own a piece of the brooklyn and gw bridge. actually all the mta operated bridges......i got 5 ez-passes.....lol....lol

 

[tomtoothdoc]

I just recently bought this unit so i havent connected it yet since I havent set up my new tanks. BOB1000 have all the info since he has been running this system form a while with success. The unit i got is a CDECX2 and i will be running it on a 850g system. If you give them a call they are extremly friendly i even have the tech guy personal cell number if i need any help

did you get the phosphate option? if you don't mind me asking, please pm me the delivered price and where you got it from and their numbers.
thanks, tom

 

[morphiii]

if you asked my wife how much "fish" things cost? she would tell you all the inverts are about $0.99-9.99. all fishes and corals are from $9.99-39.99 (and that's the real expensive ones). many stuff are free from trading. most of the equipments are bought used from people who broke down their tanks (never mind that some came in boxes by ups or fed-ex). the stand and canopy, the electrical (5x 20 amp dedicated lines), the perfectly leveled tiling, and the humidity controlled ventilated fish room were built by me and some friends.(never mind that i can't cut a 2x4 straight). and the 200gal. 3 sided starphire glass with a custom overflow tank professionally delivered and installed was a gift from a buddy. i have a very generous buddy.....since the tank cost a whopping $499 delivered and installed. so i didn't spend that much money. so i don't know what you and other people complaining about spending huge amount of money on just some fish tank!!!!....lol....hee....hee....hee.
btw i do own a piece of the brooklyn and gw bridge. actually all the mta operated bridges......i got 5 ez-passes.....lol....lol[/Q


LOL.

Tom, can you talk to my wife?

:biglaugh:

 

[tomtoothdoc]

LOL.

Tom, can you talk to my wife?

:biglaugh:

sure for a frag of your avatar, i'll have her feel guilty for buying those italian shoes. since the amount of money you've spent on the reef would buy only the left shoe.......lol.
btw for the whole colony, i'll even convince her to do the water change for you this week.......i'll make her an offer no women can refuse......a full day with a personal stylist at nordstrom plus 3 hours of spa treatments afterwards :tub:.....lol. just give me your credit card..... plus you might even get some :flirt: when she gets home....:wink1::biggrin::tongue: