Bio pellet reactor

[Hunt3r]

So recently i found out that my nitrates way super high. I havent tested it for quite a while cause i only tested po4 since it is constant zero i ddint bother testing the nitrates. Anyways im thinking of runnjng a bio pellet for my tank it is a 40g aio and im nuvo 20g. Both have skimmers and both of them are set up for dry skimming. I read about reactor should be in conjucntion with skimmer. Should i stay with my current skimmen program or do more on wet skimming. Since my po4 is zero whats the best bio pellets should i get.

 

[ndrwater]

I wouldn't. With the size tanks you have, a couple decent sized water changes should take care if things.
You didn't mention how high, so how high are they?
Wet skimming will help to a point.

 

[Hunt3r]

50ppm.... but phospate always zero...

 

[ndrwater]

I still say that a few good sized water changes will take care of things.
For the record, 50ppm is slightly elevated, but not by any means catastrophic.
I have a fundamental dislike for bio pellets, so take my advice (not the water change part) for what it is.
Biopellets, while they DO work, create a different strain of bacteria to combat Nitrates in a captive system. The biggest issue is that that strain if bacteria, and the associated secondary biodiversity that it creates isn't 100% understood. What IS known however, that if Biopellets are done incorrectly, or worse get stopped abruptly, negative things happen more often than not.
I like a system where things run as naturally as possible. Live rock, and undisturbed areas of a sandbed contain anerobic bacteria that naturally consume and lower Nitrate.
In our captive system's, especially smaller systems like yours, things potentially become out if whack sooner than in a much larger system. All of this leads to my probably much to long reply.
Bottom line. Biopellets DO work, but with potential negative concequence.
Water changes are simple, cheap, and just as effective without the potential negative effects of another reefing gadget..
Just my 2¢. Please make your own decisions. Just know the facts.
I wish you all the luck in the world.

 

[Hunt3r]

I still say that a few good sized water changes will take care of things.
For the record, 50ppm is slightly elevated, but not by any means catastrophic.
I have a fundamental dislike for bio pellets, so take my advice (not the water change part) for what it is.
Biopellets, while they DO work, create a different strain of bacteria to combat Nitrates in a captive system. The biggest issue is that that strain if bacteria, and the associated secondary biodiversity that it creates isn't 100% understood. What IS known however, that if Biopellets are done incorrectly, or worse get stopped abruptly, negative things happen more often than not.
I like a system where things run as naturally as possible. Live rock, and undisturbed areas of a sandbed contain anerobic bacteria that naturally consume and lower Nitrate.
In our captive system's, especially smaller systems like yours, things potentially become out if whack sooner than in a much larger system. All of this leads to my probably much to long reply.
Bottom line. Biopellets DO work, but with potential negative concequence.
Water changes are simple, cheap, and just as effective without the potential negative effects of another reefing gadget..
Just my 2¢. Please make your own decisions. Just know the facts.
I wish you all the luck in the world.

Thats more than enough info man. Thanks man. Well my plan b was not using bio pellets but more on marine pure balls or matrix. Somewhat inexpensive and i have 1 chamber that only have a filter floss holder.

 

[sawdonkey]

I ran biopellets on my old system for about three years. I had big dirty fish and couldn’t keep nitrates down without them. They are super simple....if you don’t screw it up and use too much.

On my current build, I went without. My nitrates got high (about 30-40) and my glad was getting dirty really quickly because I have some triggers and a huge eel, so I put biopellets back on a couple months ago. I haven’t tested in a month or so, but my glass is staying cleaner and my corals aren’t as dark colored. I’m an SPS guy, so I like my nitrates between 0-5.

I’d be a little worried about putting biopellets on a smaller tank just because you have less margin for error. 10-15 gallon water changes are no sweat and can have a big impact on a 40 gallon tank. In my case, 45 gallon water changes barely move the needle.