10
The inflow of aquarium water should not immediately be started. The bacterial growth is enhanced
by adding 4 dosing spoons
Denimar-Powder
on the first day.
Afterwards, feed 1 – 2 dosing
spoons daily. If, after 8 - 10 days, the nitrite has disappeared from the reductor - a residual
concentration of nitrate is harmless – or the redox potential has fallen to -250 mV, the water flow
can be switched on.
Water Inflow:
a) Bypass:
The inflow into the reductor can be realized as a bypass from the re-circulation pump
with the included T-piece (10). The flow rate is adjusted with the valve and drop counter (14).
In order to improve the precise control, a tap can be placed behind the T-piece in the pressure pipe
of the pump. The tap has to be closed. This way, a slight overpressure arises toward the bypass of
the
Nitratereductor
.
b) Dosing pump:
We recommend the
Aqua Medic SP 1500
. The dosing pump is controlled by a
mechanical timer. If the
SP 1500
is used, there would be a flow rate of 1.5 l per hour at
continuous service. To reduce the quantity, choose 15 minutes operation and e. g. 30 minutes
break by using the tab at the timer. In case the water quantity shall be more reduced, increase the
break time. Furthermore, the dosing pump can be connected with a redox control (see chapter 6).
Feeding with Denimar:
The feeding has to be adjusted according to the nitrate loading of the
aquarium. It can be controlled with a redox probe (see options). In a normal loaded tank, one
spoonful Denimar-Powder per day is sufficient.
After some time, a slimy bacterial biomass is formed in the
Nitratereductor.
This a normal
process. A high bacteria population ensures a high removal rate of nitrate.
Feeding with Mini-Deniballs
Aqua Medic
Mini-Deniballs
are made of a biodegradable plastic material. This plastic material is
also produced biologically - the raw material is produced by bacteria. This new plastic material is
completely biodegradable. It can be used by denitrifying bacteria in the
Nitratereductor
to
remove nitrate. The
Deniballs
supply the surface area and food for the bacteria at the same time.
This means that a
Nitratereductor
filled with
Deniballs
has not to be fed for a longer period - up
to one year. The quantity of
Deniballs
which are necessary for a
Nitratereductor
depends on the
loading of the tank. For a normal loading, 1,5 - 2 l are enough. The rest of the filter is filled with
the standard
Bactoballs
. The
Deniballs
need - especially in a sea water tank - a longer period to
reach their full capacity. During this time (6 - 8 weeks), the
Nitratereductor
has to be fed with
Denimar-Powder.
5. Maintenance
Before you open the Nitratereductor, let the water run out of the lid.
1. Control the flow rate:
The flow rate through the filter has to be checked regularly. The optimum
is at approx. 1 to 1.5 l/h. This has to be re-adjusted from time to time.
2. Re-circulation pump: The re-circulation pump in the filter has to be controlled regularly on
clogging. The pump housing has to be opened and the magnet with the mesh wheel removed.
Both are cleaned under fresh water and mounted again.
3. Cleaning: If the bacterial biomass has increased after some years, the
Bactoballs
can be
removed, cleaned with aquarium water and filled in again.
4. Renewal of
Deniballs
: The
Deniballs
have to be refilled/replaced once per year.
5. Feeding with
Denimar
: Without
Deniballs
: 1 dosing spoon daily.
6. From time to time, measurement of nitrite and nitrate concentrations in the outlet of the
Nitratereductor.
