Any tips for my bio pellets reactor ?

Volpone · Mar 27, 2014

Hello reefers :
Im running my bio pellets reactor before 5 months ago with no results on no3 issue , Im using NP bio pellets and start the dose slowly and adding the amount every two weeks till I reach the recommended dose for my tank with is 50~200 ml per 100 liters .
There is 800 ml running in my reactor for my total system 500 liters and I get no results for no 3 still reading 20 ppm with salifert test and Api and elos .
I notice that the color of bio pellets change to slight red as u will see in pic
Any recommendations ??

redfishbluefish · Mar 27, 2014

I have two recommendations:

1. cover the reactor so pellets are in the dark.
2. have exit pipe of reactor close to pick-up of skimmer.

I used a piece of drainage pipe to cover my reactor. It's cheap and easily cut. I put a piece of black electrical tape on the reactor where the seam of the cut on the cover falls. Cover is held in place by zip-ties.

EDIT TO ADD:

I just took a look at your picture again.....get ride of the cheato algae. You do need both phosphate and nitrate for biopellets to work. The algae is most likely stripping out the little phosphate you have before it gets to the pellets.

Volpone · Mar 27, 2014

redfishbluefish said:
I have two recommendations:

1. cover the reactor so pellets are in the dark.
2. have exit pipe of reactor close to pick-up of skimmer.

I used a piece of drainage pipe to cover my reactor. It's cheap and easily cut. I put a piece of black electrical tape on the reactor where the seam of the cut on the cover falls. Cover is held in place by zip-ties.

EDIT TO ADD:

I just took a look at your picture again.....get ride of the cheato algae. You do need both phosphate and nitrate for biopellets to work. The algae is most likely stripping out the little phosphate you have before it gets to the pellets.

Thx mate for ur tips , I did a cover for my reactor yesterday , and the hose of reactor go directly to the skimmer . I believe its 100% true that my bio pellets not working because of phosphate !!! Its undetectable at all with salifert test zero phosphate , I do variety feeding to raise up my phosphate ,
Do u recommend to remove the cheato ?

redfishbluefish · Mar 27, 2014

Volpone said:
........Do u recommend to remove the cheato ?

Yes! Get rid of it.

Volpone · Mar 27, 2014

Thx again , hope will be more recommendations or if any one has similar issue

jordsyke · Mar 27, 2014

Yes remove the chaeto and sump light, its wierd you are getting such high nitrate readings with both methods... I have no issues with my reactor keepingh my nitrates ultra low but I don't run a fuge alongside it

Volpone · Mar 28, 2014

There is one thread talking about understanding bio pellets , and they write about phosphate playing role to make bio pellets run perfectly , and there is some reefers has no problem keeping refugium with bio pellets .
Any way I will remove the cheato and wait to observe the results

Volpone · Mar 29, 2014

Any one else has same issue ??
Plz drop ur comments

redfishbluefish · Mar 29, 2014

Volpone said:
There is one thread talking about understanding bio pellets , and they write about phosphate playing role to make bio pellets run perfectly , and there is some reefers has no problem keeping refugium with bio pellets .
Any way I will remove the cheato and wait to observe the results

You do need both phosphate and nitrate for the bacteria to grow on the pellets. I think the ratio is something like 1 to 16, up to 1 to 20. If you have a tank with excess phosphate, then a refugium or gfo will work. Otherwise, start without them and see what happens to your nitrates and phosphates and adjust accordingly.