Whats in it?

[Aquaripure]

I was asked, "Just wondering what is in it, and did you make it yourself, or design it yourself . Its probably something easy that anyone can do, but just don't know how to do it. And you came up with the idea for it and now is selling it. either way you have a good product here, thanks"

The answer is:

First thing's first: the Aquaripure is NOT a coil denitrator. The coil design is very ineffecient and ineffective.

I did design it and I mostly make it myself. I have been improving both the design and instructions for the past 6 years. I would like to address the question of whether or not this is something people can do themselves. You might be able to make a rudimentary denitrator yourself for maybe $40-$60 and several hours of work but the quality and overall effectiveness will be questionable. DIY denitrators are notorious for not being reliable. The basic DIY design is not an efficient design. They might be suitable for very small aquariums and nano cubes.

My filters use thick black plastic for the body (very expensive), proprietary internal filter media, super high quality parts, tubing and valves. They have 6 years of experience that went into the design. I assure you that you would NOT be able to make a filter like mine without tremendous time, effort, trail, and error. If you tried to make one that had a similar internal surface area then you would probably spend as much on materials and wind up with something ugly and very bulky.

Would you make your own Aquarium or protien skimmer? Some people might try it but most would not. A denitrator if anything is more complicated and even less understood by the average person. I do not understand why so many people on other blogs go and tell strangers to make it themselves. It's not that it can't be done ... I just do not believe that the vast majority of people will achieve adequate and satisfactory results. And the materials available at any hardware store will be vastly inferior to the materials I have available.

John Strawn
Aquaripure, LLC
www.aquaripure.com

[OneDummHikk]

I am curious. Is this thread in response to the recent thread on the Aquaripure filter that was asked about? I have questions about the Aquaripure but don't want to get into a long drawn out flame war thread such as the last one that came about. But, don't want to have it in a Sponsors Forum either as I have some critical questions about it.

[Aquaripure]

A certain post has been brought to my attention by a customer. I don't know what "don't want to have it in a Sponsors Forum either as I have some critical questions about it" is supposed to mean.

If you have a question I will answer it.

If you have criticism that is not based upon any experience with the product then I would appreciate you not bring it to the sponsors forum.

As far as whether or not I have a product that has any value, I will let my customers speak for me. I have over 50 testimonials at posted at

http://www.aquaripure.com/testimonials.htm

and I have dozens more not on there.

[pipermacwills]

Is there a reason a sponsor is challenging a question from a member? This is a flame free environment here, where technology and information are freely traded for the benefit of the hobbyist and the professional alike.

[Aquaripure]

I didn't understand what a part of the question meant.

I also do not understand what, "sponsor is challenging a question from a member?"

I do not know what you think I am challenging.

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by Aquaripure

If you have a question I will answer it.

From what I have read about them, it is more an aquarium maintenance regiment than just a nitrate removal filter. The additives that are suggested to be used to lower water changes, the dosing that is done to increase the production of the filter.

If that is what it is, great. But, its hard to decide whether a product is worth the cost if you can't even find out what the product is or what principle it works on. If its a denitrifying coil with some improvements and uses a dosing schedule to help the bacteria do its job, then it answers a lot of questions about how it works and whether its worth purchasing one or not.

So, is that what it is?

[Aquaripure]

The coil design is more or less an ineffective design because it really only provides a limited surface area for the bacteria to grow on. The tubing itself occupies a lot of space and only the interior surface of the tubing provides surface area for the bacteria.

The key is to provide as much surface area as possible without it ever becoming permanently clogged. Seachem's DeNitrate media and activated charcoal provides a lot of surface area but will become clogged and ineffective over time.

Bioballs and tubing don't get clogged but don't really have as much surface area as they could.

I am not going to lie and say that the Aquaripure is internally very complicated and dramatically different from other designs because it is fundamentally simple and similar to other carbon based denitrator designs. It does have 6 years of experience put into it though and have enough improvements in it to make a very noticable difference. Over the years I have implemented over a dozen subtle improvements to the design of the Aquaripure, most have come from customers feedback.

It is built to last forever and made of the highest quality materials. It is built to harbor the most bacteria possible without ever decreasing it's performance. The feeding tube allows you to easily inject a simlple sucrose or ethanol solution to keep the bateria at optimal levels.

The instructions are also a big part denitrators performance. Knowing how much nutrient to use and what to set the flow rate at for a denitrator of a given volume and an aquarium of a given size are important and can make the difference. I am also personally available if any customers have any problems.

John Strawn
Aquaripure, LLC
www.aquaripure.com

[OneDummHikk]

Thanks John. I have never used one but your answers helped a lot.

[Aquaripure]

I hope this answers your question. Let me know if there is anything else.

John Strawn
Aquaripure, LLC
www.aquaripure.com

[jenglish]

I have heard you should never open an aquaripure, is this simply to maintain anaerobic conditions? If that is the case could the system not simply be resealed? Or is it to maintain proprietary information? Thanks

[Aquaripure]

In the past the Aquaripure's were made out of a completely sealed acrylic box that was impossible to open without destroying it completely.

Now, they are made out of pre-fabricated cannisters with a screw on top. This O ring that creates the seal at the top is a bit fickle however and we were often having to make several attempts to seal it properly and the O rings often became dislodged and damaged in the process of sealing the filter. The solution was to apply glue in addition to the O ring to keep the O ring in place and to ensure a proper seal. Again, the Aquaripure never needs to be opened so it doesn't matter.

If you open a newer model Aquaripure it might be possible to get it open and then resealed but it will be a huge ordeal. It would be difficult to open and then you would need to carefully remove all the glue (there will be a lot) and need a new O ring. Plus I removed the pressure relief valve on the cannisters so it will be pressurized and make a big mess when opened.

I do admit that I do not want to disclose certain proprietary information such as which media I use exactly but that is not really the reason why they should not be opened.

Again, it's not that they are incredibly complex or that a person could not theoretically make one but I get all of the supplies in bulk and even then they are not cheap to make. If an individual wanted just to make a single unit identical mine it would definitely cost as much as I sell them for but it would take them an extremely long time to track down all the supplies. This is NOT stuff you can find at Home Depot. You could make some cheap junky Home Depot DIY version that might work a little if you are lucky but it's no different than if you went made your own junky version of a protien skimmer and the difference if anything is greater with a denitrator.

John Strawn
Aquaripure, LLC
www.aquaripure.com

[jenglish]

I was just curious. I wasn't wanting to attempt to build one. Its just the "do not open" is like a big red button that says do not push! It peaks my curiousity And i can respect proprietary reasons its just human nature to want to know. Thank you for answering the sealing question.