Bio pellets

[Mr tap water]

A question for Randy-Holmes-Farley.
Hi Randy could you please answer this question for me about bio pellets/pills. Basically I was reading an article about if you're running bio pellets/pills your KH should be as close to NSW levels as possible for them to work .and will not work at a higher level. I personally was always to believe that it was to do with having the right balance of nitrate and phos and the right amount of flow going through your reactor for it to be able to work properly and have never heard of it to do with KH before now. And would really like to know your thoughts on this.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

As far as I know, there is no limitation whatsoever for the alkalinity on the function of biopellets or any other organic carbon method. FWIW, the bacteria on biopellets do not use alkalinity.

What there is that concerns many people, is that if you drive nutrients especially low (ULNS systems), then SPS corals can far quite poorly if the alkalinity is not kept fairly close the NSW levels around 7 dKH.

I have never heard any reasonable explanation for this effect, but it is very widely observed. I think "burnt tips" is a description that is sometimes used.

 

[Mr tap water]

Thanks for answering my question Randy I know you can't always believe everything you read but I just needed you to confirm that for me thanks again

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[Eckolancer]

Yes burnt tips happened in my system when I try to bring alk above 9. My sweet spot is about 8.0-8.2 I have never tried to drop it lower as of yet. But may have to play with it in the 7s, just to see what happens.

 

[TarHeelReefer22]

I run a low nutrient system and it is acropora heavy, I don't use the bio pellets but a liquid form, I keep my dKh around 8.5 and feed the corals every other day and everything is all good...oh and FWIW I haven't read any NO3 in my tank in almost three years

 

[wangspeed]

There's some info floating around now that zinc addition may help stave off burnt tips in ULNS tanks. Some interesting info here from the founder of Triton.

http://youtu.be/LPs1WCdW4y4

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's some info floating around now that zinc addition may help stave off burnt tips in ULNS tanks. Some interesting info here from the founder of Triton.

That would be interesting if true. Bear in mind, however, that he is selling a service to run such tests.

I didn't have time to watch the whole 48 min video (I'll try in the near future as I'm interested in their services), but I'll note that in a previous study, Ron Shimek found not a single aquarium that wasn't already at least 10x NSW levels of zinc:

It's (In) The Water by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com