Biopellet Reactor Help

[redfishbluefish]

I am purchasing a JNS BioPellet Alpha 2 reactor (with BRS biopellets), and this is all new for me. I’ve been reading, but I would like to hear first-hand experience. I have a 90 gallon DT with a 40 breeder sump and I’m currently running a BRS dual GFO/Carbon reactor. First thing is that I’ve read that you should shut off GFO and carbon when you start biopellets. When, if at all, do I turn GFO and carbon back on?

The other question is how much do I start with? I’ve seen numbers all over the map. I’ll point out that I’m a “slow as you go†kind of person…..although it might be my age.

I'm open to any other comments. Thanks.

 

[Eric B]

When I started mine up I took GFO offline and never added it back and levels are next to nothing currently. I have had it set up for about 4-5 months now and I didn't before and don't currently run carbon so can't really help you there maybe someone else will chime in. I looked at that reactor and could not tell if it was a recirculating model (Where you control the flow separately from the biopellets tumbling) or not if not then I would start with maybe a cup full and let it go. Make sure you are testing for phosphates and nitrates as that will show you when the levels start to drop. If after running with a cup of pellets the levels don't drop I would probably add a half of a cup each week till you start to see levels dropping. I run a recirculating reactor so I am able to control the flow through it and still tumble pellets separately so it is easier to dial back the flow once levels start dropping. If you levels start dropping to fast you will have to remove some of the pellets and it will be a trial and error kind of experiment as you just don't want to strip the water too fast of phates and trates. It will take about a week for you pellets to colonize with bacteria so might not see much the first week.

Also I run the exit of the reactor into the skimmer suction as the pellets will give off a film and you want the skimmer to remove this if possible! I hope this helps you some but I agree "slow as you go" is the best in this hobby.

 

[bullet reef]

I also looked at the jns reactor and unless I'm mistaken, it is not recirculating. IMO, this is the most important thing to look for in a biopellet reactor because being able to adjust the out flow is really important. I love the CAD Lights reactor. It is recirculating and has a 3-way valve to control the outflow. Another thing that sets it above the rest for me is that it's cone shaped which improves the tumble of the pellets significantly. And it retails for less than the JNS.

Here is an article by reef builders reviewing the CAD Lights reactor including a video of it in action.
http://reefbuilders.com/2013/04/23/cad-lights-br2-biopellet-reactor/

I think you'll find it pretty impressive! I have never met anybody who didn't love this one!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Eric and Bullet, thanks for the replies. No, it is not recirculating…..I guess I should have done a little more research….however this JNS does have very good reviews. HERE’s the link to the manufacturers website.



And yes, I’ve already purchased this and got a fantastic deal, between the pellets and reactor, below half the cost of new.


I currently have “old style” BRS Biopellets. However, Jon Warner is coming to talk at our Frag Swap next month on biopellets. According to one of our members, he was instrumental in coming up with “the best” biopellets. So I’m looking forward to that talk to hopefully find out more….firsthand.


In the meantime, I’m modifying my sump so that the out-flow from the reactor is next to the in-flow of the skimmer.

Thanks again.

 

[bullet reef]

Jon Warner is coming to talk at our Frag Swap next month on biopellets. According to one of our members, he was instrumental in coming up with “the best†biopellets. So I’m looking forward to that talk to hopefully find out more….firsthand.

I'm sure you will find that very interesting. I have heard Jon's spiel, firsthand, myself. He knows biopellets!

I hope the jns works out well for you

 

[3Twinklets]

I have not put mine into service yet but I feel confidant saying that you should start off with a very small amount of pellets. When I was researching, most of the people I talked to said that.

 

[cdness]

I have the same reactor as you do and to be honest I really like it. I didn't have the room to route the outflow into the skimmer pump, but it doesn't seem to be causing any issues. I started out with a small 1/4 cup for the first week, then added another 1/4 cup at the start of week 2. At the start of week 4 I added another 1/4 cup and let it roll from there. In a 125G tank I have a total of 3/4 cup bio-pellets. At the start of the experiment I took the GFO offline and carbon is just passive so I left it in place.

I can say my coral color has gotten much better. Also polyp extension is fantastic. However I seem to be having a cyano issue now which I didn't have before adding the pellets. I am considering adding the GFO back in place to correct the Cyano issues...

Also on a side note, my Alk dropped from 10.0 to 7.8 in a matter of a day or two with no change to my dosing regimine. I don't know why this happened, but it did. Also I have read that Alk should be kept lower during any carbon dosing to avoid burning of the coral tips.

 

[Dowtish]

I would not pull the GFO offline until after a few weeks. It will take up to 6 weeks before the pellets really kick in. Once you start seeing your levels drop, you can slowly phase out the GFO.

If you guys have issues with cyano, I highly suggest dosing some good bacteria to out compete the cyano.

Microbe Lift 'special blend' is what I used. You can find it at most petco's.

 

[cdness]

I am on week 2 of special blend, but I am dosing at half strength.

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

 

[Dowtish]

I would dose more than what is recommended initially.

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

 

[Downbeach]

Here is a good video to watch:

Biodegradable Polymers - DrTim's Aquatics - YouTube!

 

[Chaz D]

Found it interesting Dr. Tim mentions phosphates are depleted first before nitrate. I thought it was the other way around and that folks were having to dose small amounts of sodium or calcium nitrate in order to push phosphate to lower levels when an imbalance occurs.

Special Blend works for cyano...just don't expect an instant cure. Give it 2-3 weeks at the recommended dosage (which is double what's recommended for freshwater). After that, keep up with the maintenance doses.

 

[Misenplace101]

I started with the biopellets on a 1year+ system. I took it real slow with 1/4 of the recommended dose and added 1/4 more every week till the recommended amount was achieved. 12 weeks my nitrates were 0 and phosphates still above .1+. I added the brs dual gfo and carbon now it's at .0-.013.

Going on 7 months now and I'm using half the amount of biopellets and gfo. System is stable with great growth, color and pe.

I'm using the CPR mini tumbler. This is a simple unit and simple to maintain.

 

[Misenplace101]

Found it interesting Dr. Tim mentions phosphates are depleted first before nitrate. I thought it was the other way around.

As I have read, biopellets depletes nitrates and gfo depletes phosphates.

I had a cyano outbreak 7-8 weeks after and with the research I have done its part of the cycle. I let it go and after a few weeks it disappeared by its self.

 

[bucfan]

Do you need to dose any bacteria while starting or running biopellets?

 

[Dowtish]

Do you need to dose any bacteria while starting or running biopellets?

No. The bacteria that that colonizes on the pellets is naturally occurring in the system. However adding bacteria won't hurt either.

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP