How many people use biopellets? I have been doing alot of research on them and if i do end up using them it would be directly in line with my skimmer.
Alternately i could just do a phosban reactor. I plan on keeping SPS so I need to keep my nitrates and phosphates low low.
If I do decide to go with biopellets, i would think i need to do it right when i start establishing my tank rather than add it in later.
I think phosban could be added any time but I still would need to do more water changes to get rid of nitrates. (but i’d need to do this to replenish trace elements anyway) so is it worth the risk of using biopellets?
I started to use them last October, and initially took both my fuge and GFO reactor off line. In fact I converted the GFO reactor to bio-pellets for the initial phase. I have since bought a RO BR 110 bio-pellet reactor and have put the GFO back on line.
I love the bio pellets. I noticed within a week a difference in my tank. Just make sure you get a strong enough pump for them. I am now using a mag5 pump with 1-2’ of hose from pump to reactor and could still use better flow IMO.
Just make sure that you only dose half of your tanks water volume when starting biopellets. Also another thing to consider even though you may have a 75gallon tank it is not full of 75 gallons of water so keep that in mind.
It’s been a year 2 days ago since I’ve been using bio-pellets. It made a different in my tank since I install it. I had hair algae problem that would not go away. The pellets help keep the HA at bay and I have not seen any since, (knock on wood). I had high NO3 and PO4 and I believe due to old tank syndrome. I still have NO3 and PO4, but at very low rate.
My recommendation is to get a good reactor. The ones that will keep the pellets tumbling. I use TLF 550, but I’m not really satisfied with it. The pellets get clumps in it. Right now it works, but when funds come available I will up grade to a different one.
I think I’m probably going to get biopellets and plumb it directly into my skimmer. I have an acrylic tank and I want to keep scraping to a minimum to prevent scratches.
Here’s a good read, but you might take some of this with a grain of salt.
What are the Benefits of using Bio-Pellets?
NO3 and PO4 removal
No need to maintain a specific dosage or increase over time
No cyano or bacterial side effects
No risk of Overdosing
Simple to use…Set it and forget it.
Increases protein skimmer output
Bacteria is consumed by tank inhabitants like corals and sponges
How Do Bio-Pellets Work?
Solid carbon dosing (bio pellets) has recently become an extremely popular method of removing nitrates from the saltwater aquarium. Most Bio-Pellets are made primarily of a biodegradable polymer that “feed†and promote aerobic and anaerobic bacteria making it a viable carbon source to consume nutrients (NO3 and PO4) within the water column. Just like the traditional methods of dosing Vodka, vinegar or sugar as a carbon source directly to the water column to promote the reproduction of bacteria cultures in our aquarium system to consume nutrients with the common downside of unsightly, stringy bacteria throughout the system.
By utilizing a reactor filled with solid bio-pellets changes everything! Rather than staging the entire aquarium into an ecosystem of bacteria, a reactor allows us to provide those microscopic creatures with a “food dish†tucked neatly away in the stand. Now the bacteria congregate in the confined space of a reactor and continue the same life cycle as before without leaving their mess behind for us to look at.
You will need the following items to get started
Small Pump or feed source pushing around 300-500GPH depending on which model or bled off of your return pump via manifold.
Appropriate Hose/Tube/Plumbing
Biopellet media- *Add one cup of Bio Pellets per 50 gallons of system water volume to the reactor. For example a 100 gallon tank would use 2 cups of Bio Pellet media.
Recommend an appropriate sizes protein skimmer
Optional bacterial strains like KZ Zeobak, MicroBacter7 or equivalent (This may speed up the process and help maintain populations of beneficial bacteria but is not absolutely required.)
How to Set up and Use Your Reactor
Fill the reactor with the appropriate amount of Bio Pellets*
Place the pump in the tank and set up the reactor in your desired location. Apply the water flow to the reactor and adjust it so that all of the media is tumbling slowly to start. You may adjust the flow to your systems needs. For best results direct the effluent of the reactor near your protein skimmers intake pump.
Bio-Pellets require up to 8 weeks for the bacteria to colonize. During this time resist any temptation to change anything settings to your reactor. You may experience a small bacterial bloom when initiated but will subside within a few days. For extreme cloudy water conditions take action by agitating the water surface.
Top off every 3 months or so, back to their original quantity, to maintain maximum effectiveness.
Helpful tips
Remove GFO during the initial phases of the seeding of the reactor
Allow 8 weeks before making adjustments to the reactor
Additions of bacteria supplements can help diversify the bacteria
Remove UV sterilizers.
Make sure your skimmer is running at full efficiency and the effluent of the reactor is directed towards the skimmer feed pump.
Keep the reactor in a dark area away from light