Bio pellets on a new tank?

townjas · Sep 11, 2014

I just up graded to a much bigger tank and all new sand. I moved plenty of live rock and the tank cycled very quickly. Now I have been running high on nitrates. is my bio pellet reactor helping increase my bacteria count or is it just helping move that bacteria into my skimmer?

ReeferEric · Sep 12, 2014

I wouldn't, there isn't any need for it. I would also... stay away from it. Just my opinion, bad experiences.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 12, 2014

I doubt the pellets helped speed the cycling of the tank (if that is what you mean by "bacteria count", as the species that metabolize ammonia and those that consume biopellets are normally different species.

However, if nitrate is elevated now, I don't see any reason to not start. It will likely increase both bacteria in the water and the bacteria removed by skimming, although Ive not seen anyone actually prove either one to be true.

townjas · Sep 12, 2014

Randy,
That's kind of what I was thinking too. But I read on a different thread someone posted about bio-pellets possibly helping remove too much good bacteria. I have had the reactor running since day 1. but I have a 7' X 18" X 4" sand bed to repopulate. I think it is just going to take time.

The tank cycled so fast because I put over 100 lbs of cure live rock and some of the live sand out of 2 other tanks. Just wanted it to be clear that the tank has fully cycled.
I had fish in the tank day 2, the tank has been up for 5 weeks now and is doing great other the elevated Nitrate and phosphate. Even the few coral I have are doing very well.

jschultzbass · Sep 12, 2014

hmmmm...remove good bacteria? The biopellets grow bacteria, there is no extra removal.

townjas · Sep 12, 2014

That is what I thought too. Maybe he was referring to the the outlet of the reactor being right next to the skimmer...

jschultzbass · Sep 12, 2014

You are removing the excess bacteria from the reactor only by placing the output by the skimmer. The level of bacteria in the tank should be unaffected.

Ole Man · Sep 12, 2014

I run a Reef Dynamics recirculating bio pellet reactor.It has been my experience that you must have Nitrates and Phosphates present to get any bacteria started in the reactor plus with a recirculating reactor you can ajust your bio pellet tumble and also your return treated water to the skimmer which is a must separately.This allows you to dial in the amount of Nitrates and Phosphates you want present in you system.The SPS in my reef seem to like just a little dirty water I get more Polyp extention an growth this way plus with target feeding and feeding live photoplankton as I do you don't worry about Nitrates and Phosphates any more. jmo So with a new tank if it cycled you should be close to 0 on nitrates and Phosphates anyway.

townjas · Sep 12, 2014

It's not really "new" because I transfered everything but the sand from existing tanks and put it on a well established sump right away. The problem I am having is that with the old systems my sand beds were well established with bacteria to consume the nitrates and now I have a lightly stocked tank but not enough bacteria to remove all of the nitrates. With time this should solve it's self but I want to make sure I am doing everything I can to ensure the bacteria grow and reproduce as quickly as possible. I may buy a bottle of DrTims or something to help the process along.

Jayellul · Sep 29, 2014

Deep sand bed and carbon dosing should not be done together. they are doing the same job and will compete with both not working to their potential IMO

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 29, 2014

Jayellul said:
Deep sand bed and carbon dosing should not be done together. they are doing the same job and will compete with both not working to their potential IMO

What problem do you foresee using both? I agree that one may dominate (likely the organic carbon dosing if enough is used), but I can't see how that is a problem. Such a system may become nitrate limited to reduction of phosphate, but that might happen with either method alone.

I like to use many different export methods on my tank, including organic carbon dosing (vinegar), lots of live rock in refugia, growing macroalgae, GFO, skimming, and GAC.

IMO, the advantage of multiple methods is that each has its pros and cons, and a mix of methods can allow one to pick up if another is not completing the job for some reason.