Biopellets doubts

edosan · Jul 20, 2015

Hello there, I have some Q and probably you know the answer I could't find easy in search mode.

1- Biopellets all in one: I belive that is a mix of the plastic polimer and GFO, I am correct? anyone trying those?

2- Biopellets: When to start using on a new tank? considering you add benefical bacteria to help cycle.
a) at the start?. might be a good option thinking in stability in the long term...and since I seed good bacteria in the start it might be good?
b) when N & P start rising?
c) other

3- I have seen the tipical / classic cilinder reactor, and a tumble circle reactor (like omega biopellet reactor) I found the last one very nice (on paper) any experience on that one?

Thanks in advance!!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 20, 2015

Yes, all in one puts GFO into the pellets. I can't see why you'd want to tie the dosing and timing of these together in one specific ratio that you cannot control, and it leaves the GFO in the water when all is said and done.

If you want to use biopellets (I don't, I prefer soluble organic dosing), I'd start as soon as you set up the tank. I don't see any downside and colonization takes a substantial period.

143MPCo · Jul 20, 2015

I run all-in-one biopellets and have done so for little over 3yrs now, I have them in a Reef Octopus Biopellet Reactor... the outlet runs right under my skimmer pump inlet, I can physically see powdered GFO settling at the bottom of the skimmer cup, I also added a 200 micron sock to the skimmer outlet to catch any GFO the foam fractionation process might miss. When I started the all-in-one my system had been running for over 2yrs and was having a really bad hair algae issue. I still opted to add additional "beneficial bacteria" to add in coating/colonization of the pellets until I had reach the desired amount of all-in-one for my system.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 20, 2015

143MPCo said:
I still opted to add additional "beneficial bacteria" to add in coating/colonization of the pellets until I had reach the desired amount of all-in-one for my system.

Where did you get such bacteria? The bacteria sold for initial cycling likely aren't going to colonize biopellets.

143MPCo · Jul 20, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Where did you get such bacteria? The bacteria sold for initial cycling likely aren't going to colonize biopellets.

Hello Randy, I meant start the process along not that it magically colonized the pellets, as you noted that takes substantial time period.

edosan · Jul 20, 2015

Thanks!
Randy confirm my idea to run biopellets ASAP
and 143MPCo thanks for your experience, my skimmer collect also a lot of gfo, I put the outlet of the BPR right in the intake of the skimmer, so all good, I will also add a sock, thanks for that!

I have read several comments like: "you need to use GFO if you run Biopellets" so looks like a good idea on paper.
What about the Omega biopellet? (just google it on images)....I use to have a Starter Reef Octopus Reactor, and is crap for biopellets, after a couple of days the pellets stick to each other and no more tumble. I bought the omega biopellet and looks pretty good, but I really don´t know since I am using it for like 1 month in a new setup so nothing to compare with.

143MPCo awsome pics!!! forgot to ask, in the sock of the skimmer do you notice GFO particles?

143MPCo · Jul 20, 2015

edosan said:
143MPCo awsome pics!!!

Thank You!!

edosan said:
forgot to ask, in the sock of the skimmer do you notice GFO particles?

Not like in the collection cup, more like that the sock looks dirtier (brownish).

143MPCo · Jul 20, 2015

edosan said:
What about the Omega biopellet?

This one? http://reef2reef.com/threads/what-do-you-all-think.196809/#post-2252213

edosan · Jul 20, 2015

Yup exacly that one, I have both sizes the small in a 80 gal tank and the big in a 190 gal tank, last one is running for 1 week tho.

edosan · Jul 20, 2015

Testing then [emoji6]

143MPCo · Jul 21, 2015

@edosan how have they worked out for you so far?
any issues loading them with pellets?

edosan · Jul 21, 2015

They work great, looks a bit fast but like someone says in the post you linked, what is fast? In video usually looks faster than it really is, and is easy to add some sort of gate valve if you want to slow it down. The pump have a flow control valve, sort of.

The hole for load is a bit small, but with a cone you can add it, but is a pain, specially if the biopellets are wet. Beside that, works great.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 21, 2015

edosan said:
Thanks!
Randy confirm my idea to run biopellets ASAP
and 143MPCo thanks for your experience, my skimmer collect also a lot of gfo, I put the outlet of the BPR right in the intake of the skimmer, so all good, I will also add a sock, thanks for that!

I have read several comments like: "you need to use GFO if you run Biopellets" so looks like a good idea on paper.
What about the Omega biopellet? (just google it on images)....I use to have a Starter Reef Octopus Reactor, and is crap for biopellets, after a couple of days the pellets stick to each other and no more tumble. I bought the omega biopellet and looks pretty good, but I really don´t know since I am using it for like 1 month in a new setup so nothing to compare with.

143MPCo awsome pics!!! forgot to ask, in the sock of the skimmer do you notice GFO particles?

If pellets are your only nutrient export, then yes, phosphate may accumulate, and if it does, GFO is one good way to export it.

I'd start the pellets now.

I've not heard comments from people using the Omega method, which is a different sort of setup than is usually used, but it might be very good.

edosan · Jul 21, 2015

Thanks Randy!
Is a bit too soon to tell but i will update any news
In the 190 gal tank i have all in one biopellets in omega aqmxx reactor and also add to the sump xl biopellets (any experience?, they are big and they are suppouse to use them in the sump, no reactor needed), it is new setup tho.

tautog83 · Jul 21, 2015

I use ecobak plus always had great success , used zeobak and microbacter7 , for diff strains of bacteria not sure if that made any difference though, and I run chemipure elite in sump

edosan · Jul 21, 2015

This are the xl biopellets I use

The are big...

CenlaReefer · Jul 21, 2015

google: Marine Biosystems F5 reactors. That is the next one I plan to get to run biopellets. I believe it is about the absolute best design possible.

wangspeed · Jul 22, 2015

I run Ecobak Plus pellets. Not a huge fan of the idea of GFO in the pellets. In fact, I would skip GFO altogether, unless P starts to creep up. Don't forget that the biopellets, or any carbon dosing, won't work if the bacteria are limited by a lack of P.

Orly20 · Jul 22, 2015

wangspeed said:
I run Ecobak Plus pellets. Not a huge fan of the idea of GFO in the pellets. In fact, I would skip GFO altogether, unless P starts to creep up. Don't forget that the biopellets, or any carbon dosing, won't work if the bacteria are limited by a lack of P.

How long have you been running the Ecobak Plus pellets? I am about to start up my new system and have been looking into the EP pellets.