So anyone using them and is so what type of results have you seen? I just started using them last week and I will keep you guys up to date with my progress.
Oh come on Mike! Going to ask us what type we’re using, but keep yours a secret?
I’m not sharing what I use until you post first. 
Oh OK if I have to reveal my secrets I guess I will. I am using the Vertex brand Bio Pellets. I am using about 800 ml in two reactors. Just started about a week ago so no results yet. I did dose both reactors with Prodibio’s Bio Digest which is a DeNitrifying bacteria so I should see results quicker than the 6-8 week expectation if no dosing is done.
Cool.
I’m not using any bio pellets yet, but considering it in the future in a nano for experimentation. Glad I got you to contribute a little bit to our forum though. 
Hi Mike, It will be good to see your results as you compile them. You are pretty methodical about dosing and maitnenance so the results should be pretty fair. I know you have had good results with the prodibio system before. I hope this makes your tank blossom once again. I cant wait to see the pictoral progress.
Mike’s tank has made a pretty nice rebound. At least it was looking pretty nice the last time I saw it. I wouldn’t hold your breath for any pictoral progress. Even though he has one of the nicer tanks in the area he doesn’t share pictures of his tank, at least not with us.
Lets see the tank!!
Very nice tank. In wall. Sweet light scheme. Beautiful large SPS corals. Protopalythoa grandis. Rare cloves. Beautiful healthy fish. Invisible to the DRC pages as Mike’s too good for us any more. 
nudge, nudge
wow Jon you are about as subtle as a bulldozer. If I get a chance I will post some pictures.
This thread was split here. http://delreefclub.org/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=28&topic=4019.msg41974#new
Some bio pellet info in other thread.
Mike were there any other changes to the tank? More frequent water changes, other media added like carbon or phosban, fuge maintenance, or was most everything else held constant?
What type(brand/model) of reactor are you using or do you have them in a bag?
Any updates on the Bio Pellets useage? maintenance? results? Thanks.
I’m in the process of starting mine next week. I just wanted to know if you had any bad experience with the use.
reefman66 you need to be at tomorrow’s meeting if you can make it. Wealth of information on this topic is likely to come up.
I will be there Jon. I remember you said that you might be doing it as well, are you?
Sorry All, I never got around to updating on this topic. It’s been a little over 4 months and I have not seen any changes. My Nitrate and Phosphates have stayed the same. They were very low to begin with and have stayed the same. I have not seen a change in the amount of algae growing on my glass of rock. I have been very disappointed. I have read that most people who have seen success start out with high phosphates and nitrates. Sorry that I don’t have better results.
Hey Mike - Chris Brightwell will be at tonight’s meeting giving a talk on low nutrient systems. Maybe you’re missing something he can help with.
I am going to try and make it tonight
Hey Mike, I was just about to send you an e-mail. While Chris may not be at tonights meeting perhaps I can help.
Reefman66. I have purchased 3-4 brands of biopellets and about 5 different types of reactors for use with biopellets. I have ran a low nutrient system in my basement for a little over a month and half and maintained two aquariums using low nutrient approach for clients of mine. Planned on typing in this thread and the one Rosti started, but instead will discuss things at the meeting tonight. Bring questions. We’ll talk as a group.
[quote=“alemab3, post:3, topic:3587”]
Oh OK if I have to reveal my secrets I guess I will. I am using the Vertex brand Bio Pellets. I am using about 800 ml in two reactors. Just started about a week ago so no results yet. I did dose both reactors with Prodibio’s Bio Digest which is a DeNitrifying bacteria so I should see results quicker than the 6-8 week expectation if no dosing is done.[/quote]
Mike, May I ask what reactor you are using and what pump are you using for both? are 800ml in each or 400ml in each?
I just got the TLF phosban 550 and 400ml NPX bio-pellets. I’m still trying to find a proper pump for it. It recommend 300-500 gph. I’m not planning on dosing any bacteria. I’m just gonna let the pellet do its job or should I dose some kind of bacteria? I know it not required.
Jon, what is your set up? and what do you recommend?
I’ve read over and over again that a cloudy oxygen stripped tank can be avoided by dosing the bacteria. Most of these claims were either from people selling the bacteria or from random forum chatters, but I believe there is some truth to it. The only people who don’t dose it are just being cheap to be honest. No one has ever come up with a good reason not to dose the bacteria other then saving money. A small bottle of MicroBacter7(what I use) can be found for less then $8. I know Mike uses the probidio bacteria and I believe he is using two Phosban550s, but wait to hear from him for sure.
You want to push as much flow through as possible. I haven’t done the calculations for the Phosban 550, but if you figure out how much could go through that tiny little intake tube then I would say get a pump that could do that much. There are calculators out there somewhere where you can figure out how much water can be pumped through which size pipe. I do have a phosban 550 running on a clients tank with TLF NPX BioPlastics that hasn’t had issues yet, but I may be replacing it soon with a Super Reef Octopus BR-110.
I am using a TLF Phosban 150 and a Super Reef Octopus BR-70 along with the Katalyst BioPellets and MicroBacter7. I also have a very nice skimmer and use Zeolite media as well and I feed my corals a wide range of planktons.
If you end up with a cloudy tank keep the surface of the water rippling(point power heads towards the top to increase surface area and oxygenation) If the Phosban reactor ends up not doing what you want it to you can always use it for Phosphate remover or activated carbon. I plan on creating some dark fuges out of my spare reactors.(I purchased a lot of different reactors trying them out with different biopellets)
The type of BioPellets Mike uses from Vertex recommend soaking them in fresh water over night before use. I think this maybe a good idea, but have yet to do it myself to see if it makes a difference.
Good luck with it.
Thanks for the info Jon. I got some MicroBacter7 and everything is up and running today. I did soak the NPX BioPlastics last night in RODI water. I will do up another thread to update on my progress and results.