Nitrate reactor or biopellets?

[Breakthecycle2]

I've been struggling a little with my nitrates. They've been between 20-40 ppm. Phosphates were as high as .26 two months ago, now they are down around .04 (ish). I would like the nitrates to between 5-10 consistently. I do dose NOPX already. My question is, do I go for the nitrate reactor or recently someone said I could use biopellets in a GFO reactors instead. Opinions?

 

[nervousmonkey]

I like biopellets but you really do have to take it slow with them. They can strip your water quick if you aren't paying attention. If you use them, make sure to test nitrates and phosphates once a week at least.
I'd say go for the biopellets.

 

[JPSika08]

+1, I have read when starting using Biopellets, use half the amount your system needs at the beginning so it can adjust to them.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

So I can just run biopellets in a GFO reactor? What size pump should I be running through it?

 

[JPSika08]

So I can just run biopellets in a GFO reactor? What size pump should I be running through it?

Biopellets need to tumble, a GFO reactor's bottom won't allow this, I recommend using a BioPellet reactor which is design for them.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Biopellets need to tumble, a GFO reactor's bottom won't allow this, I recommend using a BioPellet reactor which is design for them.

Are you sure?

 

[riche]

D

Are you sure?

depending on what reactor you have, some can be modified to use pellets. The key is to get them to tumble at the right rate

 

[Breakthecycle2]

D

depending on what reactor you have, some can be modified to use pellets. The key is to get them to tumble at the right rate

I would be using a Next Reef MR1. They claim it is a multi media reactor.

 

[Feltman]

The bulkreefsupply reactor they build is completely identical for gfo and biopellet. U will just need a larger pump. Biggest thing is to ensure they all tumble. Most biopellet reactors have cones at the bottom to prevent them from settling.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

The bulkreefsupply reactor they build is completely identical for gfo and biopellet. U will just need a larger pump. Biggest thing is to ensure they all tumble. Most biopellet reactors have cones at the bottom to prevent them from settling.

I already have a Next Reef Mr1 laying around. I saw the plastic mesh disc mod I would need to do, my biggest question now is what size pump would I need?

 

[Salty1962]

My current tank is the first time I've tried the BP reactor. I'd heard bad things and some good things as far as export of nitrates and phosphates. I got a good deal on a Skimz BR83 and thought I try it out. I started the pellets from the very get go and only used @ 175ml for the first 3 mths. I now run @400ml of pellets and my levels are near zero. I still had my new tank algae breakouts but they were short, except my #%^* bryopsis, it's about to drive me nuts. A lot of companies retail their reactors as being good for BP, I've heard some good from these claims. You need to make sure you have the right screens and a lot of flow to keep the pellets in motion. JME

 

[Breakthecycle2]

My current tank is the first time I've tried the BP reactor. I'd heard bad things and some good things as far as export of nitrates and phosphates. I got a good deal on a Skimz BR83 and thought I try it out. I started the pellets from the very get go and only used @ 175ml for the first 3 mths. I now run @400ml of pellets and my levels are near zero. I still had my new tank algae breakouts but they were short, except my #%^* bryopsis, it's about to drive me nuts. A lot of companies retail their reactors as being good for BP, I've heard some good from these claims. You need to make sure you have the right screens and a lot of flow to keep the pellets in motion. JME

I need to know what size pump I would need and how much biopellets? The system is 250 gallons.

 

[Salty1962]

The bulkreefsupply reactor they build is completely identical for gfo and biopellet. U will just need a larger pump. Biggest thing is to ensure they all tumble. Most biopellet reactors have cones at the bottom to prevent them from settling.

I saw on youtube, a guy make a cone from a household funnel to put in the bottom of a BRS reactor. It looked like it kept the pellets tumbling. May be worth checking out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How long have you been dosing the NOPOX and why not just dose more? I'd do that before biopellets or a denitrator.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

How long have you been dosing the NOPOX and why not just dose more? I'd do that before biopellets or a denitrator.

8 months. I am running into too many issues with it. I keep getting a white slime outbreak from it and it doesn't seem to be able to keep the levels steady.

 

[Feltman]

As far as pump it really has nothing to do with ur tank size it's the reactor and the amount of pellets u run. The larger diameter the reactor and the more pellets the larger pump u need. That's why if u don't use a reactor designed for it. Your really guessing on total flow.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

As far as pump it really has nothing to do with ur tank size it's the reactor and the amount of pellets u run. The larger diameter the reactor and the more pellets the larger pump u need. That's why if u don't use a reactor designed for it. Your really guessing on total flow.

In regards to tank size, I was referring to the amount of pellets I would need to start.

 

[zoomonster]

Don't get me wrong I like the BRS GAC/GFO dual filter I have but the chamber is really one from a RO/DI water filter. Carbon is fine but for GFO its barely big enough to keep an adequate amount (think I use 1.5-2 cups) of GFO fluidized or tumbling. I just run mine off return pump manifold and it does not need much flow. I would have to say the MR1 or similar is ideal size for GFO or bio pellets. I have one I had around awhile but I already modified mine and use it as a second chamber on my GEO 618 CaRx.

 

[riche]

When it comes to pump size, go with something that is a little bigger then what the suggest for the reactor and put a ball valve on and then you can fine tune it.

 

[sawdonkey]

Biopellets need to tumble, a GFO reactor's bottom won't allow this, I recommend using a BioPellet reactor which is design for them.

I've been using biopellets in a TLF reactor for over two years. Works great with only slight modification needed.

Yes, you need to start slow. I recommend 1/3 or the amount recommended on the package. Then never go t more than half of what the package says. Keep in mind they can take a month or so to fully take effect.