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Belgian Anthias · 01/18/2018, 03:53 AM

Biopellets are made of PHA but there are a lot of different monomers possible containing different quantities of carbon and hydrogen . No specs available for BRS bulk pellets about carbon content but they claim to be 100% pure PHA. Biologically cultivated PHA may be +- 70% of the total dry mass. To get pure PHA in most cases solvents are used. To let it stick together to make pellets some additives must be added.
It is also claimed that:

Nitrate laden Bacteria is removed via the protein skimmer
Bacteria directly converts nitrite into nitrous oxide, so nitrate is never produced
Bacteria consumes nitrates and processes them down into nitrogen gas
Nitrate laden Bacteria is consumed by tank inhabitants like corals and sponges

All needs some explanation!

It is not that difficult to cultivate PHA

Used in a " tumbling reactor" , a moving bed reactor, erosion is high and particles of the pellets will spread into the water column. The PHA becomes part of TOC. The dose organic carbon released and available in the water column is difficult to determine, is not controlled, This way a high C:N ratio is possible in the water column.

When the erosion is limited by preventing tumbling the reactor may clog due to the growth.. The supply to the reactor can be managed by the flow rate which gives some control.
As in the reactor enough carbon is available the limiting factor will be the available other building materials as nitrogen and phosphate. As building materials present in the reactor may be used up, most bacteria and archaea may start to make there own PHA which will be used when they spread in the aquarium.

An unexpected bacterial bloom! Can it be caused by bacteria who have started to use there stored PHA.?

01/18/2018, 03:53 AM	#87
Belgian Anthias Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Belgium Posts: 608	Pha Biopellets are made of PHA but there are a lot of different monomers possible containing different quantities of carbon and hydrogen . No specs available for BRS bulk pellets about carbon content but they claim to be 100% pure PHA. Biologically cultivated PHA may be +- 70% of the total dry mass. To get pure PHA in most cases solvents are used. To let it stick together to make pellets some additives must be added. It is also claimed that: Nitrate laden Bacteria is removed via the protein skimmer Bacteria directly converts nitrite into nitrous oxide, so nitrate is never produced Bacteria consumes nitrates and processes them down into nitrogen gas Nitrate laden Bacteria is consumed by tank inhabitants like corals and sponges All needs some explanation! It is not that difficult to cultivate PHA Used in a " tumbling reactor" , a moving bed reactor, erosion is high and particles of the pellets will spread into the water column. The PHA becomes part of TOC. The dose organic carbon released and available in the water column is difficult to determine, is not controlled, This way a high C:N ratio is possible in the water column. When the erosion is limited by preventing tumbling the reactor may clog due to the growth.. The supply to the reactor can be managed by the flow rate which gives some control. As in the reactor enough carbon is available the limiting factor will be the available other building materials as nitrogen and phosphate. As building materials present in the reactor may be used up, most bacteria and archaea may start to make there own PHA which will be used when they spread in the aquarium. An unexpected bacterial bloom! Can it be caused by bacteria who have started to use there stored PHA.? Last edited by Belgian Anthias; 01/18/2018 at 05:22 AM.