First topic message reminder :

I just purchased a reactor for an experiment on nitrate reduction in freshwater aquaria. I got the idea from tweetyfish(Thanks). I have read that this can strip the tank of all the bacteria so it will be a long process. I am gonna start off with little flow and record. Once I see a pattern in numbers I can restrict or increase flow to adjust the levels in the tank. Video is uploading of the set up. To be continued.................

I have been slacking on testing. I will test when I get home. So far water changes has not skipped a beat. I do notice I have to clean my water sock every other day since it gets ready clogged.

I know I have not tested in a week or so. Well I have had to clean my water sock out more often due to the excess coming out of the reactor. Readings today

PH 7.6
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrates 10ppm

This is right before I did water changes. So It is definitely working. I went ahead and put the rest of the pellets in and the reactor is at full blast with a maxi-jet1200.
400ml of bioplastics

Sounds good. I will be setting mine up in a few weeks. I am almost ready to get everything going. Finally found a good home for my saltwater livestock.

As your nitrates drop will you still be doing the same schedule on water changes?

I will most likely just do gravel vacs and 50% every two weeks.

Hey flip, it's me again

Been doing some snooping about reactors since reading this. This is all just a hypothesis type of thing but, from what I've been reading the reactors are better for saltwater, and seem to possibly create problems for freshwater. Again, just building a hypothesis. I did find this in relation to creating the same outcome for freshwater:

Making use of anaerobes

In marine aquariums this organism is encouraged in order to reduce nitrate levels in the water by having beds of sand and pumping water slowly through it.

A cheap form of nitrate remover for freshwater tanks is easily made by having 20+ feet of 12mm diameter hose coiled up and a pump forcing tank water through it at a very slow rate, less than 1 drop per 5 seconds.

The slow flow of water through the coil causes the bacteria to consume the oxygen and therefore anaerobic bacteria starts to grow eating the nitrate.

After a few weeks this flow can be slightly increased and therefore you have a cheap and effective nitrate remover.
The water coming out of the coil is however slightly acidic and lacking in oxygen so this should be dripped onto the surface of the tank.

End quote.

It doesn't say anything about buying the system a shot, or using sugar like some store bought ones say, but I imagine you could work a little in there somehow. Again, I'm in rookieville on this subject but I'm thinking I might try to rig up one of these for my tank. Seem's pretty cheap once you get past finding a pump. Let me know what you think. - Nereus

So there is just pressure and the water moving really fast in the coil, While dripping small amounts?
The reactor is still running....
I don't think I will be continuing this after the pellets consume themselves. I may use it for chemical filtration if needed in the future.
If you try this method please post a thread with the findings.

Quick reply. Ok so upon further review, it seems the reactors aren't as good on fresh as they are on salt because fw holds so much more 02. It seems the basic goal is to get an area where the water becomes 02 deprived. So I'm guessing as it enters the 20+ feet of tube, you're going to get some aerobic bact., but as it slowly rolls on, and the 02 is consumed by the aerobic, it will make a gradual switch to anerobic towards the end, where the + part of that 20 feet comes into play. Probably to a point, the longer the tube the better. And then drip it real slow back into the tank, through the air, repeat process. Again it doesn't say anything about sugar or alcohol. I'm still figuring out the mechanics but it makes sense you know?

I guess in a reactor you can't slow the water down enough without the media clumping up. Food for thought - Nereus

You said it's still running? What are your nitrate counts now?

I didn't know you needed to switch out media I figured they were like ceramics.

I need to find a 2nd hand power head and a rubbermaid tub and I'll probably give it a go. I'm just wondering about the sugar and alcohol. Also, it doesn't say what size tank the 20+ applies too. So, I guess some tinkering will have to take place. - Nereus

My nitrates are at 10ppm before water changes. It has helped but has not prevented water changes. My schedule is still 50% once a week. The tank stock as drastically dropped since I plan to put different fish in this tank.
The bio-plastics deplete after time. I have lost half since I started.