Biopellet reactor feed through return pump manifold?

[125mph]

I feed most a carbon reactor and a calcium reactor through my manifold from the return pump. Is it okay to run a biopellete reactor the same way? Or do I really need to push massive flow through these things?

Also, is a recirculating pump version important?

 

[ScottieB]

Not knowing anything else about your system I think in general low to moderate flow is probably preferred to allow the water more contact time with the pellets. High flow or excessive turbulence will wear the pellets down quickly.

A recirculating version is nice for the same effect as adding contact time. Also in the event that the return pump turns off (for water changes, feeding, or inadvertently) maybe the pellets don’t settle and clump up together. I’m purely speculating but I used to run a reef octopus bio-churn a while back when dealing with some stubborn cyano but took it off line pretty quick.