Bio Pellets

m-six hundred · 07/31/2012, 03:12 PM

I am considering using bio pellets

Who has experience with them?

What brand are you using and what reactor are you using?

If your not using bio pellets, who is dosing vodka?

What are the pros and cons of each?

There are allot of threads online about them but I thought I would get some local feedback

Thanks,
Mark

gojk · 07/31/2012, 04:19 PM

I have had them since day one on my 40b and I have never had detectable phosphates or nitrates. But in my experience, if you don't heavily feed, it seems that corals become really sensitive to the slightest changes. This may or may not be directly related to the biopellets but I had never come across this problem until I used the BPs. If I feed heavily, it seems that the corals become less and less sensitive to changes.

When I say they seem more sensitive, in the past a .5 swing in ALK would have been no problem, but now it seems like a .5 swing over a day is borderline deadly to everything except my Acans.

I am using vertex BPs in a TLF reactor. I am using half the recommended dose. I don't have any algae problems and I have a hard time keeping chaeto alive.

m-six hundred · 07/31/2012, 04:22 PM

how much would that be. They recommend 50-200ml per 25 gallons. Are you using 100 or 25ml as an example?

bugs713 · 07/31/2012, 04:59 PM

I've been useing BRS brand BP in my 55g for a good 8 months and started with half the recommended amount as recommended by other reefers; have never added anymore as NO3 has never been a problem since using, but also wasn't really a problem before using. This tank has 3 fish, 2 cleaner shrimp and an overload of softies. PO4 on the other hand has been an issue, but that has been much better since adding a dual GFO/GAC reactor.

When you first start BP, it may cause a bacteria bloom that will make the water cloudy, which is normal. Mine was went cloudy 5 days after start up but cleared 24 hrs later. They also say to not change ANYTHING for 8 weeks after start up.

gojk · 07/31/2012, 05:21 PM

I am right around 100ml and the output goes straight into my skimmer.

m-six hundred · 07/31/2012, 11:00 PM

where is your alk at?

gojk · 07/31/2012, 11:47 PM

I keep it at 8, but I have moved it up to between 10 and 12 and havent experienced the burnt tips like some complain of.

The only problems I have had with my tank was a few degree temp swing when my brother thought he did me a favor by turning off the AC when I was on vaca, 79.5-83, and that caused some STN/RTN of some coral and an alk swing from 8-9 when I switched to a different ALK supplement. Both caused major issues with coral, most of which are slowly recovering, but I did lose a few in both of those instances.

TheAquarius13 · 08/02/2012, 07:41 PM

Be careful with those funky carbon sources my friends. If you have nutrient issues, that usually means that bio-load, feeding, etc. are excessive and nutrient "export" is deficient. It also indicates a lack of sufficient bacterial nutrient processing. You can get all the benefits of an increased bacterial population by adding the beneficial bacteria itself and concentrating on eliminating detritus from the system. Where does Mother Nature keep her bio-pellet reactor? The natural reef stays clean with vigorous water flow that rids it of detritus, sufficient bacterial population, abundant microfauna and microflora, and a diversity of creatures that eat all that their numbers will support. Bio-pellets should be applied in already low nutrient systems with a large coral bio load that will benefit the corals with increased bacterioplankton. That detritus sitting on your rocks contains bacterioplankton. Give your tank time to mature as you gradually increase bio-load and gravel vac, gravel vac, gravel vac, gravel vac, gravel vac and gravel vac.

Reef_Logic · 08/02/2012, 07:46 PM

Hmmmmm I like magic beans

drtrash · 08/03/2012, 08:20 AM

using WM ecobak, way more controllable & cheaper than liquid carbon dosing, using TLF 150 with 100 gph flow near skimmer inlet.

azjohnny · 08/03/2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drtrash

using WM ecobak, way more controllable & cheaper than liquid carbon dosing, using TLF 150 with 100 gph flow near skimmer inlet.

FYI, 100 gph through a TLF 150 is too much, i would dial it back so the surface of the GFO is barely moving. If you have too much action the media will grind against each other and cause dust inside the chamber

m-six hundred · 08/03/2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azjohnny

FYI, 100 gph through a TLF 150 is too much, i would dial it back so the surface of the GFO is barely moving. If you have too much action the media will grind against each other and cause dust inside the chamber

He is talking about using his TLF 150 for bio pellets. You are correct about running GFO at that flow rate. I think it is a bit slow for BP but I do not have as much experience. I am using a sicce 1.5 probably pushing 300 gph.

azjohnny · 08/03/2012, 10:23 AM

Oops...your right. I wasn't paying attention

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

drtrash · 08/03/2012, 10:30 AM

there is a long post on another site with jon warner from Warner marine, the slower the flow the better for contact time, you want a slow tumble. I am using a small maxijet variable pump 60-100 gph and it gives it a slow tumble. My system is 75 total gal. 300 gph is going to be too much flow. I have an extra container being sent to me if interested. Do a search, there are alot of biopellets out there withalot of feedback. The only thing I have encountered is bit of cyano and not sure it has anything to do with biopellets but have seen it in other discussions.

07/31/2012, 03:12 PM	#1
m-six hundred The Most Diabolical Hater Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,895	Bio Pellets I am considering using bio pellets Who has experience with them? What brand are you using and what reactor are you using? If your not using bio pellets, who is dosing vodka? What are the pros and cons of each? There are allot of threads online about them but I thought I would get some local feedback Thanks, Mark __________________ "Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently." - Henry Ford "Whether you think you can , or you think you can't --- you're right" - Henry Ford Current Tank Info: 87 Gallon Rimless Leemar, 160 watt Razor 16k, Reef Octopus DC 3500 Pump, Seaside Aquatics CS7 Skimmer, 2 x MP10's Last edited by m-six hundred; 07/31/2012 at 03:20 PM.

07/31/2012, 04:22 PM	#3
m-six hundred The Most Diabolical Hater Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,895	how much would that be. They recommend 50-200ml per 25 gallons. Are you using 100 or 25ml as an example? __________________ "Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently." - Henry Ford "Whether you think you can , or you think you can't --- you're right" - Henry Ford Current Tank Info: 87 Gallon Rimless Leemar, 160 watt Razor 16k, Reef Octopus DC 3500 Pump, Seaside Aquatics CS7 Skimmer, 2 x MP10's

07/31/2012, 04:59 PM	#4
bugs713 In-A-Gadda-Divita! Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Apache Junction, AZ - USA Posts: 2,100	I've been useing BRS brand BP in my 55g for a good 8 months and started with half the recommended amount as recommended by other reefers; have never added anymore as NO3 has never been a problem since using, but also wasn't really a problem before using. This tank has 3 fish, 2 cleaner shrimp and an overload of softies. PO4 on the other hand has been an issue, but that has been much better since adding a dual GFO/GAC reactor. When you first start BP, it may cause a bacteria bloom that will make the water cloudy, which is normal. Mine was went cloudy 5 days after start up but cleared 24 hrs later. They also say to not change ANYTHING for 8 weeks after start up. __________________ ░▒▓█▄▀▄▀▄█There's No Place Like 127.0.0.1█▄▀▄▀▄█▓▒░

07/31/2012, 11:00 PM	#6
m-six hundred The Most Diabolical Hater Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,895	where is your alk at? __________________ "Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently." - Henry Ford "Whether you think you can , or you think you can't --- you're right" - Henry Ford Current Tank Info: 87 Gallon Rimless Leemar, 160 watt Razor 16k, Reef Octopus DC 3500 Pump, Seaside Aquatics CS7 Skimmer, 2 x MP10's

08/03/2012, 10:23 AM	#13
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,319	Oops...your right. I wasn't paying attention Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2 __________________ 180 gal FOWLR Laguna 1350,SRO 5000INT MP40, MP60 Current Tank Info: Predator FOWLR

07/31/2012, 04:19 PM	#2
gojk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: East Mesa, AZ Posts: 221	I have had them since day one on my 40b and I have never had detectable phosphates or nitrates. But in my experience, if you don't heavily feed, it seems that corals become really sensitive to the slightest changes. This may or may not be directly related to the biopellets but I had never come across this problem until I used the BPs. If I feed heavily, it seems that the corals become less and less sensitive to changes. When I say they seem more sensitive, in the past a .5 swing in ALK would have been no problem, but now it seems like a .5 swing over a day is borderline deadly to everything except my Acans. I am using vertex BPs in a TLF reactor. I am using half the recommended dose. I don't have any algae problems and I have a hard time keeping chaeto alive.

07/31/2012, 05:21 PM	#5
gojk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: East Mesa, AZ Posts: 221	I am right around 100ml and the output goes straight into my skimmer.

07/31/2012, 11:47 PM	#7
gojk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: East Mesa, AZ Posts: 221	I keep it at 8, but I have moved it up to between 10 and 12 and havent experienced the burnt tips like some complain of. The only problems I have had with my tank was a few degree temp swing when my brother thought he did me a favor by turning off the AC when I was on vaca, 79.5-83, and that caused some STN/RTN of some coral and an alk swing from 8-9 when I switched to a different ALK supplement. Both caused major issues with coral, most of which are slowly recovering, but I did lose a few in both of those instances.

08/02/2012, 07:41 PM	#8
TheAquarius13 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 2	Be careful with those funky carbon sources my friends. If you have nutrient issues, that usually means that bio-load, feeding, etc. are excessive and nutrient "export" is deficient. It also indicates a lack of sufficient bacterial nutrient processing. You can get all the benefits of an increased bacterial population by adding the beneficial bacteria itself and concentrating on eliminating detritus from the system. Where does Mother Nature keep her bio-pellet reactor? The natural reef stays clean with vigorous water flow that rids it of detritus, sufficient bacterial population, abundant microfauna and microflora, and a diversity of creatures that eat all that their numbers will support. Bio-pellets should be applied in already low nutrient systems with a large coral bio load that will benefit the corals with increased bacterioplankton. That detritus sitting on your rocks contains bacterioplankton. Give your tank time to mature as you gradually increase bio-load and gravel vac, gravel vac, gravel vac, gravel vac, gravel vac and gravel vac.

08/02/2012, 07:46 PM	#9
Reef_Logic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 75	Hmmmmm I like magic beans

08/03/2012, 08:20 AM	#10
drtrash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: S. Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,342	using WM ecobak, way more controllable & cheaper than liquid carbon dosing, using TLF 150 with 100 gph flow near skimmer inlet.

08/03/2012, 10:30 AM	#14
drtrash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: S. Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,342	there is a long post on another site with jon warner from Warner marine, the slower the flow the better for contact time, you want a slow tumble. I am using a small maxijet variable pump 60-100 gph and it gives it a slow tumble. My system is 75 total gal. 300 gph is going to be too much flow. I have an extra container being sent to me if interested. Do a search, there are alot of biopellets out there withalot of feedback. The only thing I have encountered is bit of cyano and not sure it has anything to do with biopellets but have seen it in other discussions.