Bio pellets, gfo and activated carbon?

[Purpule Tang]

Hi,guys.
Can I running from bio pellets,gfo and activated carbon in same time?
Because I hear that bio pellet can't reduce phosphate in aquarium.
Thanks[emoji4]

 

[LostInTheDark]

You can run all three at the same time. I run bio pellets and carbon but not GFO. My phosphates stay low but I'm not sure if it's from the bio pellets or from running a fuge.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Biopellets and other types of organic carbon dosing will reduce phosphate, but often not enough, and using GFO at the same time is fine. Just watch that you do not lower nutrients too far.

 

[Downbeach]

I ran all three as well, but removed the GFO when starting the BP's, then redeployed the GFO reactor, after the BP's were ups to speed(~6weeks), when it became apparent that the BP's were not going to get the PO4 down low enough for my SPS to color up....I had a mixed reef, and fed alot. This kept my NO3 > 1(using a Red Sea Pro kit), and my PO4 ~ .03(using a Hanna ULR checker).

 

[Purpule Tang]

I ran all three as well, but removed the GFO when starting the BP's, then redeployed the GFO reactor, after the BP's were ups to speed(~6weeks), when it became apparent that the BP's were not going to get the PO4 down low enough for my SPS to color up....I had a mixed reef, and fed alot. This kept my NO3 > 1(using a Red Sea Pro kit), and my PO4 ~ .03(using a Hanna ULR checker).

Downbeach your mean is that I should first running Bp and until reduce nitrate
If my phosphate was high, running gfo and carbon right?

 

[Purpule Tang]

You can run all three at the same time. I run bio pellets and carbon but not GFO. My phosphates stay low but I'm not sure if it's from the bio pellets or from running a fuge.

I think that your phosphate low with a little bp and fuge.[emoji6]

 

[Downbeach]

Downbeach your mean is that I should first running Bp and until reduce nitrate
If my phosphate was high, running gfo and carbon right?

I ran GAC the whole time, but removed the GFO until the BP's were colonized with bacteria. This reduced the NO3 to > 1ppm, but with my feeding habits, I still had higher than desired PO4, so I redeployed the GFO reactor.

 

[Purpule Tang]

Hi,guys I have a one question.
Whether can I using from bp reactor with Uv at the same time?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It can be done, but In some sense they work against each other, with the UV maybe killing the bacteria before they are skimmed out or eaten by a filter feeder.

 

[Purpule Tang]

It can be done, but In some sense they work against each other, with the UV maybe killing the bacteria before they are skimmed out or eaten by a filter feeder.

Thanks for reply randy.
So,negative effect on working the each other.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I wouldn't personally do it, but some folks might.

 

[FishOfHex]

Hi,guys.
Can I running from bio pellets,gfo and activated carbon in same time?
Because I hear that bio pellet can't reduce phosphate in aquarium.
Thanks[emoji4]

You can run all three with no problems, Biopellets actually pull out something like 16:1 nitrates to phosphates i might be wrong on the exact ratio but i do know they are mainly used to reduce nitrates.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You can run all three with no problems, Biopellets actually pull out something like 16:1 nitrates to phosphates i might be wrong on the exact ratio but i do know they are mainly used to reduce nitrates.

I think it is a higher ratio than that (more N, less P), although what it is may depend on how thick the bacteria get before being knocked off. The ratio you are quoting is closer to the ratio taken up by photosynthetic organisms like phytoplankton, but bacteria in low O2 regions (such as under other bacteria on the surface of biopellets, or in pores of live rock and sand) use even more nitrate relative to phosphate because they not only use it as a source of N for tissues, but use it instead of oxygen as an electron acceptor.

 

[FishOfHex]

I think it is a higher ratio than that (more N, less P), although what it is may depend on how thick the bacteria get before being knocked off. The ratio you are quoting is closer to the ratio taken up by photosynthetic organisms like phytoplankton, but bacteria in low O2 regions (such as under other bacteria on the surface of biopellets, or in pores of live rock and sand) use even more nitrate relative to phosphate because they not only use it as a source of N for tissues, but use it instead of oxygen as an electron acceptor.

Glad one of us went to school for this, you provide a lot of good information on this forum thank you. I was directed here from another and found it to be very active, so I think ill stick around for a while.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Glad one of us went to school for this, you provide a lot of good information on this forum thank you. I was directed here from another and found it to be very active, so I think ill stick around for a while.

Great! We strive to be the best Reef Chemistry resource around.

Thanks!

 

[Purpule Tang]

You can run all three with no problems, Biopellets actually pull out something like 16:1 nitrates to phosphates i might be wrong on the exact ratio but i do know they are mainly used to reduce nitrates.

You using from UV with bio pellets reactor?

 

[Ivandrago]

Try all in one biopellets you won't need gfo or carbon and the biopellets you are running plus you will clear up some realestate

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Try all in one biopellets you won't need gfo or carbon and the biopellets you are running plus you will clear up some realestate

But that is like just dumping GFO into the tank and leaving it there.

 

[Ivandrago]

But that is like just dumping GFO into the tank and leaving it there.

What do you mean that's like dumping GFO and leaving it there ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What do you mean that's like dumping GFO and leaving it there ?

Just that. All in One Biopellets incorporate GFO into them. When exposed at the pellet surface, they bind phosphate and fall away into the water.

So you could attain the same thing just by sprinkling loose GFO into the sump.