Biopellets vs sulfur vs vodka vs white vinegar

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 27, 2016

jason2459 said:
Vodka would make more sense to use at that scale as much less is necessary vs vinegar.

And yet one can easily buy vinegar is larger containers if needed.

bklynreef said:
The cost becomes the issue in large scale systems which is why I opted for BP'S.

Cost of organic carbon in vinegar should be less per gram than for pellets. You probably are just not delivering as much organic carbon.

bklynreef · Oct 27, 2016

Randy are you saying that vodka would be a better way for me to reduce my P & O and add bacteria to my system and would be less expensive and maintenance than my BP reactor? The BP Reactor and these pellets are definitely reducing my P & O and giving off bacteria to the corals but If Vodka is easier and better then I would switch and get another doser to start dosing it. Heck would be easier than another reactor, pump and maintenance of the BPR.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 27, 2016

bklynreef said:
Randy are you saying that vodka would be a better way for me to reduce my P & O and add bacteria to my system and would be less expensive and maintenance than my BP reactor? The BP Reactor and these pellets are definitely reducing my P & O and giving off bacteria to the corals but If Vodka is easier and better then I would switch and get another doser to start dosing it. Heck would be easier than another reactor, pump and maintenance of the BPR.

I'm not saying the soluble forms are necessarily better, but I prefer them because they are easier to alter and time the dosing (and its impact on O2). I just was challenging the idea that they wouldn't scale to a big tank.

bklynreef · Oct 27, 2016

Got it understood. I've been so far very happy with the results of what I have with the BPR and the type of pellets too. I guess it's always do what works for your tank.
Thanks Randy

Oceansize · Oct 27, 2016

Not sure if the OP is still here but safest and simplest for NO3 reduction is: Korallin Sulphur Denitrator. I'd link it but I get the impression that's a no-no. Once it's broken in, check up on it in two years or so, lol. More upfront cost, but a lot less cost down the road as the media only has to be replaced every two years or so. And you (almost) never have to think/worry about NO3 again. I do WC's twice a year now.

As Kungpaoshizi says, you'll still need to find a phosphate solution, this only addresses NO3.

Edit: to be clear, this sulphur-based solution needs no "feeding."

nanomania · Oct 27, 2016

bklynreef said:
Randy are you saying that vodka would be a better way for me to reduce my P & O and add bacteria to my system and would be less expensive and maintenance than my BP reactor? The BP Reactor and these pellets are definitely reducing my P & O and giving off bacteria to the corals but If Vodka is easier and better then I would switch and get another doser to start dosing it. Heck would be easier than another reactor, pump and maintenance of the BPR.

Do biopellets really reduce po4? Why woukd ppl use gfo or phosguard then?

nanomania · Oct 27, 2016

Oceansize said:
Not sure if the OP is still here but safest and simplest for NO3 reduction is: Korallin Sulphur Denitrator. I'd link it but I get the impression that's a no-no. Once it's broken in, check up on it in two years or so, lol. More upfront cost, but a lot less cost down the road as the media only has to be replaced every two years or so. And you (almost) never have to think/worry about NO3 again. I do WC's twice a year now.

As Kungpaoshizi says, you'll still need to find a phosphate solution, this only addresses NO3.

Edit: to be clear, this sulphur-based solution needs no "feeding."

I did read about it, but doesnt it clog? However once in 2yrs sounds good if it doesnt clog. I guess for cheaper solution one can make diy. Well if gfo for po4 and sulfur for no3 and filter socks for the dirt, i wonder why we need a skimmer...

bklynreef · Oct 27, 2016

Biopellets do reduce P & N and add beneficial bacteria but it's not a cure all. I still run GFO & GAC but much less than I used too. Once I get my algae scrubber I should be down to less than what I'm using now.

nanomania · Oct 28, 2016

bklynreef said:
Biopellets do reduce P & N and add beneficial bacteria but it's not a cure all. I still run GFO & GAC but much less than I used too. Once I get my algae scrubber I should be down to less than what I'm using now.

Ats is the best, but cleaning every week is a hassle.. it eliminates the use of skimmer, gfo and biopellets..

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 28, 2016

Oceansize said:
Not sure if the OP is still here but safest and simplest for NO3 reduction is: Korallin Sulphur Denitrator. I'd link it but I get the impression that's a no-no. Once it's broken in, check up on it in two years or so, lol. More upfront cost, but a lot less cost down the road as the media only has to be replaced every two years or so. And you (almost) never have to think/worry about NO3 again. I do WC's twice a year now.

As Kungpaoshizi says, you'll still need to find a phosphate solution, this only addresses NO3.

Edit: to be clear, this sulphur-based solution needs no "feeding."

There is nothing wrong with linking to information, as long as you do not sell the product.

One drawback to a sulfur denitrator, which I agree work well to reduce nitrate, is that it depletes alkalinity, so you may not be able to use only balanced alkalinity and calcium supplementation methods (like a CaCO3/CO2 reactor or limewater).

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 28, 2016

nanomania said:
Ats is the best, but cleaning every week is a hassle.. it eliminates the use of skimmer, gfo and biopellets..

FWIW, it doesn't, IMO, eliminate the benefits of a skimmer, which included removal of organics.

nanomania · Oct 28, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
FWIW, it doesn't, IMO, eliminate the benefits of a skimmer, which included removal of organics.

Forgot to mention filter sock. .. [emoji4]

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 28, 2016

nanomania said:
Forgot to mention filter sock. .. [emoji4]

That will only remove large particulates, not dissolved organics.

Oceansize · Nov 1, 2016

nanomania said:
I did read about it, but doesnt it clog? However once in 2yrs sounds good if it doesnt clog. I guess for cheaper solution one can make diy. Well if gfo for po4 and sulfur for no3 and filter socks for the dirt, i wonder why we need a skimmer...

In my experience clogging was only an issue during the break-in process, the first 6-8 weeks. All I needed to do to address it was just bother to look at the valve once a day and adjust as needed. After that, no problemo whatsoever.

Oceansize · Nov 1, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
There is nothing wrong with linking to information, as long as you do not sell the product.

One drawback to a sulfur denitrator, which I agree work well to reduce nitrate, is that it depletes alkalinity, so you may not be able to use only balanced alkalinity and calcium supplementation methods (like a CaCO3/CO2 reactor or limewater).

The link I wanted to post is to a retailer's product description with reviews, etc. because the manufacturer's page is lacking, to say the least. I'm not sure if that's what you mean when you say I can't sell the product.

Regarding the alk decline caused by sulphur denitrators, I offset that by adjusting my Ca reactor to keep Alk stable, and so yes, my calcium runs high as a result. That's a side-effect I'm more than willing to accept in exchange for having such a low-maintenance tank. Based on a previous convo with you, I do a WC once calcium gets above 500 or so, or I'll run the denitrator less efficiently for two weeks or so (fast drip rate). I've never had a precipitation event, so whatever I'm doing appears to be working. Fingers crossed!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 2, 2016

nanomania said:
I plan on cycling my tank using ammonium chloride skimmerless, can i dose vinegar then while cycling? or wait?

I would not add organics until the cycling is done. Adding organics may drive the growth of the "wrong" type of bacteria (those that use ammonia only to build tissues), and not the type that convert it into nitrate. That may make your tank dependent on organic additions even for ammonia detoxification.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 2, 2016

jason2459 said:
Not sure why they would be worried about that. Skimmers are not very efficient mechanical filters. There's plenty of extra bacteria in my system that many forms of planktonic life thrive on.

The worry is, in part, that bacteria may accumulate to unsightly levels.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 2, 2016

Oceansize said:
The link I wanted to post is to a retailer's product description with reviews, etc. because the manufacturer's page is lacking, to say the least. I'm not sure if that's what you mean when you say I can't sell the product.

If you have no business interest of any kind in the product, and are not doing it at the request of, or as a favor to, those who do have such an interest, you can post any link you want that relates to reef products.