All about Denitrator

[TS70]

like to find out if this is normal for the above denitrator...the water inside the denitrator turned murky, and kinda smelly....

initially the water inside was clear and it was controlling the nitrate well but this happened after adding a few more deniballs (used)

[octane]

Originally Posted by TS70

like to find out if this is normal for the above denitrator...the water inside the denitrator turned murky, and kinda smelly....

initially the water inside was clear and it was controlling the nitrate well but this happened after adding a few more deniballs (used)

water shouldn't be turning murky. could it be the extra film bacteria that's forming? is the output of the denitrator still clear? the smell is good, means everything is working well measure the output for nitrate, should be getting 0mg/l.

[kepala sakit]

Originally Posted by TS70

like to find out if this is normal for the above denitrator...the water inside the denitrator turned murky, and kinda smelly....

initially the water inside was clear and it was controlling the nitrate well but this happened after adding a few more deniballs (used)

My humble opinion..better not try wif used medias, it will breed/culture unknown microbes which you may not require. unless you are sure of the the source (microbe, BB's require etc.)..

[TS70]

is the output of the denitrator still clear?
nope, output is murky

the smell is good
r u saying the 'foul' smell meant that it is working

Originally Posted by TS70

is the output of the denitrator still clear?
nope, output is murky

the smell is good
r u saying the 'foul' smell meant that it is working

Foul smell means ....there are anearobic bacteria but the setup is not working properly.

[simster]

does denitrator mean no water changes needed?

[TS70]

Originally Posted by atom

Foul smell means ....there are anearobic bacteria but the setup is not working properly.

noted.
realised that the water inside denitrator has cleared up after the outlet flowrate was adjusted.

[octane]

Originally Posted by simster

does denitrator mean no water changes needed?

of course doesn't mean that. just that your nitrates will be under control.

Originally Posted by TS70

noted.
realised that the water inside denitrator has cleared up after the outlet flowrate was adjusted.

did you increase the flowrate? output measured for nitrate?

Originally Posted by TS70

noted.
realised that the water inside denitrator has cleared up after the outlet flowrate was adjusted.

Cloudiness or murky can be due to:

1. Dead bacteria due to exposure of oxygen or chlorine/chloramine from tap water.

2. Deniball. It is a slow dissolving organic material. In a matured denitrator, the film type anaerobic bacteria covers the deniball. It will reduce dissolving rate of the deniball because f reduced contact with water. During maintenance, the bacteria is clean off the deniball and thus when in contact with tank water, the dissolving rate increases greatly ....causing the water to be murky.

As to increasing the flowrate to solve the murkiness, this is a wrong procedure as it will reduce the denitrification process. This is because denitrification requires low or zero presence of oxygen. Since to strip the water from dissolved oxygen takes time, faster flowrate might have considerable presence of dissolved oxygen level.

[Catmarine]

Hi Bro Atom,
Where do u purchase the deniballs and how much???

Thanks