Melvyn Tan

Unit fully loaded

Coral gravel - to be of size 10mm

Medias added

Some pics

Hi, I am reviewing the H&S Sulphur/Nitrate Filter which i have acquired about 1 month ago. Due to the messy sump conditions and decision to do away the natural deep sand bed and also to contain everything possible within the sump, i decided on the Sulphur/Nitrate Filter after much deliberation. Filtration Method This filtration method employed a containment with a circulating internal pump which also act as a feed pump to draw the sump water into the unit, this keep circulation in motion and conditions right. Water exit through the tubing with an adjustment to control the drip(s) at the top most part of the unit. Filtration System This method of filtration employs an anaerobic condition which uses autotrophic denitrification bacteria and with the presence of sulphur element, species of Thiobacillus denitrificans and Thiomicrospira denitrificans (essentially the T. denitrificans) will oxidize various forms of reduced sulfur to sulfate, while reducing nitrate to liberate the oxygen for their own use, thus in the conversion, it results in the release of nitrogen. To further your interest, you can find reading materials here; Sulphur based denitrification and Research status The H&S Sulphur/Nitrate Filter I picked the smallest available hobbyist model 110-F1000 which is rated for treatment for tank up to 1000l. The physical construction of the unit is without a doubt solidly made and hence will not dwell into the quality of the make as it is well known to be good. The design is of particular interest as it will determine how efficient it will work. It utilises a reverse flow method, water is drawn-in at the bottom and gets pumped upwards and a tube within the unit aids the recirculation of the water via the pump. It is recommended a fill mixture of 2/3 sulphur beads and 1/3 coral gravel. The understood working methodology is that as the strong internal circulation encourages the growth of the required bacterias, the upward push will mean the conversion processing utilising the sulphur elements by the T.denitrificans to liberate nitrate to nitrogen and this flow method will enable the nitrogen gas to leave the unit together with the drips via the drip tube. To further add, in the conversion process the water will become acidic and the coral gravel above will buffer the water. This will result in the total effluent from the unit exiting which is one of high dkh and calcium ions. Monitoring 2-3 days after operation, presence of the bacteria at work is evident as bubbles starts to form at the interstices. Measurement was conducted and measures the same as day one >50ppm. Drip rate is adjusted at 1 drop per second. In approximately week 2-3 brownish film (bacteria) can be found spreading throughout the unit, measurement taken about 5ppm between week 3-4, dripping increased to 2-3 drops per sec. Voids within the sulphur beads can be seen to gapped wider, signs of sulphur utilisation. In week 1, the water at the topmost part of the unit remains clear. Towards week 3 the water becomes chalky. Whilst taking measurement for nitrate from the drip, dkh 12 was measured. In week 4 the measurement of nitrate is at 2.5ppm and thereafter 0ppm at approximately 2-3 drops per sec. Effluent is chalky when exiting and drip rate is being increased to hasten the pace of denitrification for the main tank. Although at week 4, a measurement was taken for the main tank at 40ppm, it may not be exacting to say that overall denitrification for the main tank takes place, as i have only taken 1 measurement. A continuous measurement for the nitrate level in the tank will be conducted, conditions will be as such; 1) No changing of water for the entire month of October - November 2) Feedings still the same at 6 cubes mysis shrimps, pellets (Formula 1&2 and Kent Platinum), seaweed 3) Fishes of all sorts; Angels - 1 Blueface, 1 French, Tangs - 1 Orange shoulder, 1 Purple, 1 Yellow, 1 Sohal, 1 Powder Blue, 1 Sun burst, 7 Chromises, 2 Mandarins and some minor others Monitoring for the main tank will continue, for the interested lot - patience appreciated. In an overall view of this process of sulphur based denitrification, it is relatively a new method (developed in 1991 in the earliest documentation) and no reports of destruction to tanks encountered to date except that for some hobbyist users who encounters "crash" due to usage of chemical treatments of some sort which believed led to massive die-offs of bacteria (as read in certain forums - although exacting verifications cannot be made). The columnal unit maximises space saving for denitrification processing and power draws only 10w, medias as understood will last at least 1 year which means low running cost. The unit is very well made both in terms of materials, workmanship and design for the purpose. And not forgetting the ease of usage. One caution to note is that, preference is for the installation of a one way flow-adapter at the tubing at the top in prevention of cases of power failure, water discharge via the pump. Changing of media must be noted too, as the pump must be plugged else you will lost some bacteria (no big deal as it will just take a slight while latter for infestation). A thumbs up for this one in my case.

Should do well.

If you have sunshine then may have algae problems at a latter stage. Yes staining of marble flooring will be quite tricky in removal at a later stage especially when you have chengai stands. Nice tank. Looks like its Kembangan MRT? or MRT around the region?

Looks like its the balcony? Can see the columns and the curtain with pelmet.

They cluster together....

Looks more like yellow polyps...anyway great to see you around.

Nice natural feel...

A denitrator will take some time to be established to work maximally. It will be a good thing if you can kick start now to reduce the wait time later to handle the loadings in your tank which will invariably increased.

Let it fluorish then

Tell you what, bring it to me and i put my the other piece that does not seems to grow in your tank...however this piece is currently splitting... actually this elephant ear don't sting does it? Looks like your are corals are doing very well in your upkeep. Way to go !

Another measurement after 2 days, dropped to between 2.5 - 0 ppm (picture taken scale towards 2.5ppm).

Wow !!!

Yep, after doing some reading and understanding the usefulness, decided to give it a tryout.

Yeah...when taken via the DC somehow scale inbetween 2.5 - 5 but physical viewing shows 2.5. Anyway, it'll be only a matter of time....a matter of time...

Reading is now 2.5 ppm for nitrate and once it hit 0 ppm (lets give it a few more days), the reactor is well into the optimised stage in its job of denitrification....

Slight less than a month from 15 Sept 05 to 11 Oct 05 (today) a measurement was taken from the Sulphur/Nitrate Reactor and the reading is as such :

White crysanthemum

Yeap always love a Schuran Skimmer, its working principle and design... Will be getting it if i were to set up a bigger tank. Would you care to post a pic of the foaming?

Schuran is a very good skimmer....hope to see the foam and skimmate...

Whoah !!!

Do they still have micro fische? Just wondering, been using that previously for my researches.