So lets start with the backstory, I build a diy nitrate reactor for my saltwater aquarium, It works, It work incredible, zero out the nitrates, I mean just gone
So I build a larger one for my freshwater aquarium, and It is also works incredible, nitrates were at >80ppm, 4 weeks later 0, none
Problem is that the reactor is working too good(for my freshwater only saltwater is fine it is much smaller with less media, better balance i quess), I have hydrogen sulfide formation, Black formation in the media is minimal and I hardly even notice it, however I can smell the rotten eggs in the filter but not in the aquarium
The question is what do I do?
Should i pull the nitrate reactor out completely, and start over
Can I just increase the speed the pump to reduce the lag time in the nitrate reactor to reduce production reducing anoxic or would the hydrogen sulfide be too deadly in the aquarium
Should I reduce the amount of media in the nitrate reactor
Another problem is the nitrate reactor is design so that if the pump is not on then it is separated from the aquarium, but it a terrible pain to get it out of the sump, Can i chlorinate the reactor to kill the anaerobic bacteria and then declorinate, or should i just break done take the thing out and physical wash the media
ANY SUGGESTIONS MUCH APPRECIATED
So I build a larger one for my freshwater aquarium, and It is also works incredible, nitrates were at >80ppm, 4 weeks later 0, none
Problem is that the reactor is working too good(for my freshwater only saltwater is fine it is much smaller with less media, better balance i quess), I have hydrogen sulfide formation, Black formation in the media is minimal and I hardly even notice it, however I can smell the rotten eggs in the filter but not in the aquarium
The question is what do I do?
Should i pull the nitrate reactor out completely, and start over
Can I just increase the speed the pump to reduce the lag time in the nitrate reactor to reduce production reducing anoxic or would the hydrogen sulfide be too deadly in the aquarium
Should I reduce the amount of media in the nitrate reactor
Another problem is the nitrate reactor is design so that if the pump is not on then it is separated from the aquarium, but it a terrible pain to get it out of the sump, Can i chlorinate the reactor to kill the anaerobic bacteria and then declorinate, or should i just break done take the thing out and physical wash the media
ANY SUGGESTIONS MUCH APPRECIATED