The Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter utilizes naturally occuring anaerobic bacteria to remove chemical toxins from the aquarium water column.  However, as the bacterial colony matures the food source (Nitrate & Phosphates) within your aquarium can become depleted.  So you will need to supplement their food in order to sustain the bacterial colony and prevent it from collapsing.  So the question is, how do you supplement the bacterial colonies primary food source?  Deltec manufactures a specifically designed Nitrate Fluid that is available in the United Kingdom.  However, they are not allowed to import this to the united states due to declining the increased workload associated with the distribution of Alcohol.  Alcohol?  Well the bacterial colony requires a carbon based food source as a supplement to their primary food source.  Just so happens that part of the food is Alcohol based, Vodka to be more precise.  Lucky for us Deltec advises that you can create your own Nitrate Fluid using a 1 part Vodka, 3 part RO/DI Water solution which will suite us just fine.

I mixed a batch (64 oz) of my very own Nitrate Fuild constiting on 1 part Absolute Vodka and 3 parts RO/DI Water, which is stored in an repurposed Organic Juice containter from my son.  There is some discussion concerned around what type of Vodka should be purchased to concoct this mixture.  Some individuals believe that purchasing higher priced Vodka which is a good indiciation that their distilling and purification process of of much better quality is the way to go.  However, the majority of individuals purchase the cheapest Vodka available which seems to do the job adequetly.  There is one rule that is specified.  Do not purchase any Vodka with flavored additives!  Also their is much discussion over the Proof of the Vodka.  This is unfortunately more a play it by ear scenario as every aquarium is different and dosing amounts can also effect the outcome.

I personally am proceeding with a bit of caution since my last experience which left me to believe that this device cannot and should not be used in small aquariums since the risk associated with its operation becomes extremely high.  I have started off with a 2 ml dosage (1 ml in the morning & 1 ml in the evening).  The Nitrate Fluid is measure using a syringe and then dosed into the Deltec NFP 509 Nitrate Filter Reactor Chamber through the Non-Return Valve.  The Miniature Ball Valve is currently closed since this type of bacteria exist in low level Oxygen environments.  today is day 2 out 3 of the seeding process before the Miniature Ball Valve can be opened to allow a drip flow into the aquarium.  I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

Diagram - Sunday, March 01, 2009 - The Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter main components.

Photograph - Saturday, February 28, 2009 - My home made Nitrate Fluid (1 part Absolute Vodka & 3 parts RO/DI Water) stored in a 64 oz container.]

My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack??? 

Well it has been four days and as the instructions state it is now time to open the Miniature Ball Valve to allow the Efluent to flow out of the Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter Reactor Chamber and achieve a 1 drop of efluent every 3 seconds flow rating.  So last night I did just that and brought the Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter online.  You might be wondering as to why you don't just open the valve all the way 1 drop of efluent is no where near capable of handling a 120 gallon aquarium.  The reason is because the bacteria are slowly growing their colony and they require a low oxygen environment to grow.  The water coming from the aquarium is high in oxygen and too fast of a flow to quickly can cause the bacterial colony to crash which means back to the drawing board as well as a very nasty smell of rotten eggs coming from the the Deltec NFP509 NItrate Filter.  It seems slow and steady wins this race.

Photograph - Tuesday, March 03 2009 - The Efluent coming from the Deltec NFP509 Nitrate Filter at 1 drop every 3 seconds.

My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack??? 

Well I decided that I should start improving everything from the groun up.  So what better place to start then replacing my liquid test kits with a more efficient, economical and faster method of getting the results of the varies water paramters of my aquarium.  So I decided that my LaMotte Liquid Calcium Test Kit was the first to get upgraded.  I purchased the American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II.  This new version comes with a new solid state probe which does not need to be stored in liquid when the monitor is not in use, improves accuracy and longevity of the probes lifespan. 

The American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II can be operated from a 9 volt battery, giving you 150 hours of continuous use or using an AC Adapter (sold seperatly).  Also calibration is simple using 100 and 100 Calcium Liquid provided when you purchase the monitor.  All that is needed is to dip the probe into the solution, set your monitor to calibration mode and wait until the number 100 or 1000 respectively stop flashing and hit enter after calibrating to each solution.  The American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II has a resolution of 0.2 PPM and an accuracy of +/- 2% of the reading after calibration.  The Americna Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II retails for an average of $259.00.  Overall the American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II is a great, especially if your testing your Calcium levels on a weekly basis or more.  Please keep in mind this is recommended for spot testing as oppossed to continuous monitoring according to the folks at American Marine Inc.

Photographs - Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - My American Marine Inc. Calcium Monitor II with 100 and 1000 Calibration Fluid and new Solid State Probe.

My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack??? 

My wife wants my son to be able to explore the rest of the house to further his development and I want to be able to keep his curious little hands from exploring and adjusting my equipment while I'm not home. So I thought I should complete the aquariun stand this past weekend. I made a trip to home depot and picked up all the necessary supplies and began doing my Bob Villa thing. The end result a sturdy stand that doesn't shake at all for about $150.00 in supplies and my son starting to explore the rest of the house. I think I did a pretty good job for my first stand. Next is the canopy.
 

Photographs - Monday, March 09, 2009 - Me building my custom aquarium stand.

My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack??? 

(edited 3/19/09 argi)

My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???