Hey everyone, I'm looking for a decent biopellet reactor that isn't going to break the bank. I need one for a 120 gallon tank. If anyone can recommend one that seems to work well that would be great. 
Thanks!
Thanks!
A good biopellet reactor?
- Thread starter mallorieGgator
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Two little fishies are great and easy to operate. They will not break the bank either. I personally use BRS but if it wasn't running already and doing good for me I would jump on a tlf.
Dowtish
5000 Club Member
here is what I use, I have 2 other friends that use it as well.
AVAST Marine Works - MR5 Media Reactor - Product Details
AVAST Marine Works - MR5 Media Reactor - Product Details
OP
OP
OK so I found the Bioplastics reactor but what size am I supposed to get. Also, big question. I have a deep sand bed. Do I need to remove a lot of it and over how long should I remove it? It's just not working out well for me so I'd like to try the biopellets.
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Dowtish
5000 Club Member
OP
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Any one else? Here is what I would really like to know summed up:
What size do I need for a 120 and what pump works well?
What volume of biopellets should I start with in my reactor to avoid issues such as bleaching?
My tank is about 4 mos old. Should I dose microbacter? I dosed it in my tank initially to help start off the cycle.
Thanks for the help! I just don't want to mess up on this since it is costly and I would prefer to not have costly mistakes.
Edit: Chris I just saw your response about the pump. Thanks!
ALSO: does anyone have any info on running a PhosBan reactor? I know someone running both PhosBan and BioPellets with great success and we had similar issues (We live very close- so I'm thinking it's a water thing...I need to change my RO/DI and carbon block soon I think). Does anyone recommend running both together or is it a waste? Will the biopellets eventually take over or will the GFO not allow proper nutrients for the biopellet bacteria? Thanks again!
What size do I need for a 120 and what pump works well?
What volume of biopellets should I start with in my reactor to avoid issues such as bleaching?
My tank is about 4 mos old. Should I dose microbacter? I dosed it in my tank initially to help start off the cycle.
Thanks for the help! I just don't want to mess up on this since it is costly and I would prefer to not have costly mistakes.
Edit: Chris I just saw your response about the pump. Thanks!
ALSO: does anyone have any info on running a PhosBan reactor? I know someone running both PhosBan and BioPellets with great success and we had similar issues (We live very close- so I'm thinking it's a water thing...I need to change my RO/DI and carbon block soon I think). Does anyone recommend running both together or is it a waste? Will the biopellets eventually take over or will the GFO not allow proper nutrients for the biopellet bacteria? Thanks again!
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Dowtish
5000 Club Member
I have never heard running phosban at the same time as bio pellets. But I know quite a few folks having great success with ecobak from warner marine. Myself being one of them. If you have gfo running already, you will want to continue running it for about 4 to 6 weeks, and then slowly phase it out. Its not a must, but IMO its just a waste of money. Once the bacteria starts working its magic, there is just no need. When you start the pellets initally, you will want to use a quarter of the suggested amount, and then slowly add more every 2 weeks.
sent from chris using my unsmart phone
sent from chris using my unsmart phone
OP
OP
Thanks for the video. I guess the Reef Octopus works well too then? Lots of options! I agree with the GFO too that it would be worthless once the bacteria are colonized.
Lots of options! I agree with the GFO too that it would be worthless once the bacteria are colonized.
i really like the RO reactor because it doesn't use a plate or mesh at the bottom.. so you dont get any restriction in water flow.
but with GFO if you do decide to add that also do it a little at a time.. if you put too much it would reduce the ph4 too fast and will cause issues..
but with GFO if you do decide to add that also do it a little at a time.. if you put too much it would reduce the ph4 too fast and will cause issues..
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Any one else? Here is what I would really like to know summed up:
What size do I need for a 120 and what pump works well?
What volume of biopellets should I start with in my reactor to avoid issues such as bleaching?
My tank is about 4 mos old. Should I dose microbacter? I dosed it in my tank initially to help start off the cycle.
Thanks for the help! I just don't want to mess up on this since it is costly and I would prefer to not have costly mistakes.
Edit: Chris I just saw your response about the pump. Thanks!
ALSO: does anyone have any info on running a PhosBan reactor? I know someone running both PhosBan and BioPellets with great success and we had similar issues (We live very close- so I'm thinking it's a water thing...I need to change my RO/DI and carbon block soon I think). Does anyone recommend running both together or is it a waste? Will the biopellets eventually take over or will the GFO not allow proper nutrients for the biopellet bacteria? Thanks again!
What is it you want to accomplish by adding biopellots? What issues are you having now?
Biopellots being fairly new to the hobby doesn't have enough history for anyone to give you hard definite answers. I would start at half the recommended amount from the manufacturer. The way I understand it there are 2 things that biopellots or carbon dosing accomplish. First is a way to increase the export of unwanted nutrients like po4 and nitrates, this only works if you have it feeding into a good skimmer. Second is it provides a carbon source for bacteria which is a building block for the food chain for fish and corals.
So do you have a good skimmer? What are your phosphate and nitrate levels? You need to know your levels so you can tell if you are using enough and if it is doing what you wanted it to do. This will also tell you if you need to use GFO. Basically you are going to have to tweak with your system and test to see what you need to do and keep making changes , preferably in small increments, until you get it dialed in. With biopellots it may take 6-12 weeks to see results. GFO will show you results almost immediately
As for biopellot reactor recommendations mojo did a review on one recently that was fairly inexpensive. Also the 2LF one seems to be popular and inexpensive. BRS or 2LF also have media reactors for GFO
The best solution for excess nutrients is to limit the input. Maintaining your RO pre filters and changing your DI resins often are probably the best thing you can do for that.
The only bleaching I am aware of is caused by lowering nutrients too fast. Again being aware of phosphate levels is important. I am not sure if you are aware so I guess its worth mentioning that phosphate tests are just not very good. To start with they only test for one type of phosphate, other types are easily converted to usable phosphates by algae. Second if you have algae it is likely using phosphates as soon as it becomes available making it even harder to determine levels.
Hope that helps
OP
OP
Thanks! I have a Super Reef Octopus XS200. It works great. I really want to accomplish a decrease in my phosphates and nitrates. I haven't tested lately but it is obvious the levels are high because of the cyano (I have great water flow) and diatoms that won't go away. I'm also starting to get small amounts of hair algae on a powerhead and one rock. Also, my SPS are a bit brown in color. I need to get a new phosphate test because the one I have is crap. It is not very accurate. I need new test kits in general come to think about it.
fastrd400
Active Member
If you are planning on using the Warner Marine Ecobak pellets (which I use), you can contact Jon at Warner Marine. He'll ask what size your system is, and about your bio load. You need to run your pellets according to your bio load, not your tank volume. I am running 500ml in a 120 gallon tank.
