Biopellets?!!!

[Reef4Life]

Hi I have a 45 gallon partial reef system with just a few zoanthids and LPS coral and I have always had a nitrate problem and I could never get rid of it no matter what I tried and I was wondering if using biopellets is a good idea for a LPS tank with a couple of fish. I was thinking of getting the bulkreefsupply reactor and their pellet too but I want to get some Input on the idea and if it is the right thing for me? And I would appreciate if someone has experience with the BRS reactor and how it's doing in your tanks

Pictures of tanks running bio pellets would be great too
Thanks any input would be helpfull

 

[Red C Aquarium]

Do you ever register phosphates?

 

[jeffblly]

I had brs and tried a couple different brands of pellets and I stopped using them because I couldn't control the algae on the sand. I stopped using them and the algae went away. If I were to use them again I would attach the output directly to my Skimmer as I believe that was my problem. Too much pellet output was getting past the skimmer and fouling the tank.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I’m running a JNS Alpha 2 reactor with BRS pellets. Here is a picture where you can see the exit pipe close to the pick-up of the skimmer.

I’ve only been running it a little over a month and have noticed by skimmer running wetter. So I cranked the skimmer back a touch and I’m producing some thick, nasty skimmate.


Oh, and I was told the bacteria are happier if kept in the dark, so I made a cover out of some drain pipe that blacks out the reactor. Here it is with the observation door open:

You will also want to run ALK a little on the "low" side....between dKH 7 - 8 when you run an ultra low nutrient system.

 

[zemuss]

Why would you need to run ALK low? Does the ALK start to burn corals with a ULN system?

 

[Reef4Life]

Srry I fell asleep but would a ULNS be ok for LPS and when do you have to replace the bio pellets?

 

[Reef4Life]

And does any body run bio pellets with zoas and tell me how they are doing?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Why would you need to run ALK low? Does the ALK start to burn corals with a ULN system?

The jury is still out as to the reason, but one of the beliefs is that high ALK in ULNS will burn SPS. Some have also suggested that it is the high bacterial load that damages SPS. Even though it’s not written in stone, I’m playing it safe and keeping my ALK in the low 7’s.

Srry I fell asleep but would a ULNS be ok for LPS and when do you have to replace the bio pellets?

Well, with the unanswered question above…..maybe. I have a mixed reef with everything and I’m running biopellets….and everything looks good.

As far as “replacing” the pellets……you don’t replace them, you just keep adding to them. They actually get consumed by the bacteria and you need to “top-off” the reactor when the level drops. Some tanks consume the pellets quickly, while others consume them slowly. My guess in rate of consumption is related to how bad your nitrate and phosphate levels are.

 

[Reef4Life]

The jury is still out as to the reason, but one of the beliefs is that high ALK in ULNS will burn SPS. Some have also suggested that it is the high bacterial load that damages SPS. Even though it’s not written in stone, I’m playing it safe and keeping my ALK in the low 7’s.






Well, with the unanswered question above…..maybe. I have a mixed reef with everything and I’m running biopellets….and everything looks good.

As far as “replacing†the pellets……you don’t replace them, you just keep adding to them. They actually get consumed by the bacteria and you need to “top-off†the reactor when the level drops. Some tanks consume the pellets quickly, while others consume them slowly. My guess in rate of consumption is how bad your nitrate and phosphate levels are.

Thanks for answering my questions It looks like your very knowledgable on bio pellets
I have one more question how would I keep a little bit of nutrients in the water because most LPS corals and softies need it in the water would I just lower the amount of pellets I use or how would a low level of nitrates be achieved without eliminating all nitrate?

 

[zemuss]

I am thinking about doing a bio pellet reactor. I can't ever get nitrates below 10 and it is killing my sps. Well actually the only way to get it to .05 is 50% water changes weekly.

Will the via aqua 20/20 reactor work?

 

[Ajsvmax]

I run a bio pellet reactor. I would suggest a reactor that will allow you to adjust the output into the tank. The two I know of are the reef dynamics and cad lights units (there may be others). Too much output will create an access of bacteria. This normally caused a Cyanobacteria outbreak. If you can adjust the output and run it into the skimmer it works great.

I have Zoas and Palys and the do fine

Hope this helps
Drew