Diy Nitrate Reactor Worth Going Commercial?

[Fatty]

I've been looking at nitrate reactors for sometime, I'm thinking the re-circ, dual chamber sulphur bead reactor seem to be the best. As nitrate from the tank is replaced with nitrate free, and re-buffered with trace elements and calcium from the carbonate media.

But.. they seem to be very expensive, at least £160 ready to go.

What are peoples views on nitrate reactors?, I have one sulphur reactor (got second hand) which does great on my freshwater tank, I'm planning to make another to go on my marine setup.

So would anyone be interested in one of these reactors at a cost of no more then 100 notes??

and I could make a whole bunch of em?

I just can't see why there isn't any on the market for that price

 

[Musho3210]

not being accusing, but whats the point? Are you having nitrate difficulties that nature or elbow grease isnt helping? If so, yes i think they are reasonable... But there are cheaper alternatives to keeping nitrate down...

 

[Fatty]

not being accusing, but whats the point? Are you having nitrate difficulties that nature or elbow grease isnt helping? If so, yes i think they are reasonable... But there are cheaper alternatives to keeping nitrate down...

This is why I asked the question, debate away!!

I have never had success in keeping 0 nitrate, and I feel there are many of us who would like to eliminate the bulk of nitrate to bring it from 5ppm, to atleast unmeasurable with conventional kits, as per NSW. (please correct me if wrong)

More so nitrate problem in FW, which the reactors are far more efficient (side note).

What are the cheaper alternatives, (not inc giant water changes).?

 

[@ombomb]

do you have a sump / refugium?

a nice big section of my sump full of macro algae is all i use for nitrate removal and it works a treat.

 

[SkiFletch]

Agreed, refugiums are a great way to go. Another good option that is cheaper/safer would be the use of a biologic nitrate reactor. Basically just a big 4" PVC pipe with caps on both ends. I believe about.com had some great instructions on how to build one.

 

[chris348]

This quite an interesting post, I was also looking at Nitrate Filters and such like, but wanted a more natural approach. Came across the about.com as mentioned by SkiFletch and read through it; found a brilliant post about using Mangroves, very interesting indeed.

Anyone had any experience with them? I only ask as my Nitrates are now up at 40ppm when they are usually down around the 10 - 20.

 

[SkiFletch]

Ah the wonders of a new tank Chris . The dieoff is finally catching up with ya? Happens to the best of us.

Mangroves are good for removing phosphates/nitrates. Only trouble is they like a LOT of light. Think about it, these things get BAKED in the tropical sun and are not exactly used to low levels of light . Halides or multiple high-powered T5 tubes are almost required for keeping mangroves.

 

[raptorrex]

I've been looking at nitrate reactors for sometime, I'm thinking the re-circ, dual chamber sulphur bead reactor seem to be the best. As nitrate from the tank is replaced with nitrate free, and re-buffered with trace elements and calcium from the carbonate media.

But.. they seem to be very expensive, at least £160 ready to go.

What are peoples views on nitrate reactors?, I have one sulphur reactor (got second hand) which does great on my freshwater tank, I'm planning to make another to go on my marine setup.

So would anyone be interested in one of these reactors at a cost of no more then 100 notes??

and I could make a whole bunch of em?

I just can't see why there isn't any on the market for that price

can't see a need for it in the tank. i do however see a chance that some form of filter, to be used before the water gets in the tank may have a future. atm people use RO units, the excuse used is often high tap water nitrates. we are all aware how wasteful these units are, four gallons lost for only one gallon filtered and the fiddle it is to add all the good things in water, back after the RO unit has stripped them. a cost effective and efficient unit to remover nitrates from tap water, as i have said, could make someone a tidy profit.