NP Bio-Pellets Should I add more pellets the my fluidized filter?

[DrHarryLopez]

Should I add more pellets the my fluidized filter? I only started the bio-pellets 2 weeks ago, but i'm wondering if I should be running the filter at its max

I have about 300 net gallons. I'm using 1000ml of the bio-pellets, but the fluidized filter can hold more as noted on the upper side of the filter.

Tumbling pellets


Dry pellets

[HighlandReefer]

What is your nitrate level at?

Starting with smaller amounts of the pellets and working your way up depending on your nitrate concentration may be the best approach to avoid bacterial blooms. If you have high nitrate levels, it will take more then if your nitrate level is low IMHO. Once your nitrate level drops to zero, then reducing the amount of pellets used seem appropriate to me. I would use the amount of pellets similar to how vodka/vinegar dosing is used. My two cents since there seems to be no guidelines established on how to use these pellets provided by the manufacturers. There has been an alarming number of bacterial blooms reported by hobbyists using the pellets in general and I would try to avoid any bacterial blooms.

[bertoni]

I agree that starting slowly is likely safer. I'd just let the reactor for a few more weeks, at least, and then reconsider.

[DrHarryLopez]

will do, thanks

[bertoni]

You're welcome!

[DrHarryLopez]

Well its been 9 days, and all is stable. Two points to note;

1. All algae is gone! I'm wondering if reduced feeding also reduce the accumulation of more algae. Also I believe hungry Tangs made short work of all the hair algae in the tanks.

2. I ck'd my nitrate and phosphate levels N=undetectable P=0.03.

The reactor's flow has not changed however the tumbling level of the bio-pellets are lower since I started them out. Hmmm?
8/22/10


8/31/10

[DrHarryLopez]

I cleaned out the filter sock at the output of the fluidized pellet reactor, and guess what was in there? All the missing pellets! I put em back into the reactor which brought it back to the original tumbling level.

[DrHarryLopez]

Holy Cow! My phosphates are down to an all time low 0.02!

The best looking reef day in my tank! Even my crappy BB cellphone camera shows how nice the corals and water clarity looks.

This birdsnest is really as pink/purple as it has ever been! Its extending all its extensions (for lack of better words lol) The superman monti is bright/bright red and blue.


This plate is is fully extended shining its coat of teal!


Tongue coral wow look at these extensions


Bright Peach color standing out in front of all the other colors, and green slimer growing faster then any other coral


The bubble coral so full light green appears extremely happy


This Teal Acro in the back corner seems to have every branch with growing white tips!


My Purple Nana couldn't be more purple and growing happy


My Tabling Acro has many growing budds.


Overall I've noticed unbelievable changes in color, polyp extension, growing tips, and brightness in ALL of my coral pieces.

Why? How? Maybe, probably the biopellets! My Phosphates have never been lower @ 0.02!

[bertoni]

That sounds great! It's hard to know exactly what did the trick.

[DrHarryLopez]

Bio-Pellets Update

The Reef continues to look great. The pellets has gone down a bit, but i'm gonna wait until Oct to add any more pellets.

Here are the markers I set on the fluidized reactor

[bertoni]

Interesting. Some of the change in height might be due to settling, though, so it's hard to say how quickly the pellets are being consumed.

[DrHarryLopez]

Originally Posted by bertoni

Interesting. Some of the change in height might be due to settling, though, so it's hard to say how quickly the pellets are being consumed.

Well, in the first week i noticed a drop in height of pellets but it was because they floated out of the reactor output. I found them in my filter sock. LOL I recovered them and placed them back in the reactor.

Thanks for following the thread, your input is valuable.

[bertoni]

You're welcome! I hope the tank keeps getting better.

[TryTheChi]

Very interesting.....I'm about to start these as they have arrived today with a Hanna Po4 meter. Did you change any other aspect of husbandry while trying this? If not, then your results are very promising indeed

Thanks for putting up your experience, and great SPS colonies!

Simon

[DrHarryLopez]

Originally Posted by TryTheChi

Very interesting.....I'm about to start these as they have arrived today with a Hanna Po4 meter. Did you change any other aspect of husbandry while trying this? If not, then your results are very promising indeed

Thanks for putting up your experience, and great SPS colonies!

Simon

I did, I added 3 filter socks to my system. I used to use em but i hated cleaning them out, now i change them out with every water change.

[DrHarryLopez]

I have finally concluded that the reactor must have a healthy bio-load as my pellets are decreasing weekly. It went down almost 8cm (about 3.5".) I going to buy some more pellets, but now they've come out with NP-X bio-pellets. I have to read up on these.



My reef is happy, growth is apparent, and polyp extension is at the most I've ever seen on corals. (IMO)

[bertoni]

Wow, that's a rapid drop! Have you done a per-week cost estimate, by any chance?

[DrHarryLopez]

Originally Posted by bertoni

Wow, that's a rapid drop! Have you done a per-week cost estimate, by any chance?

No but I will when I get back into the office tomorrow evening.

[kgood1]

Great thread. I have been thinking about using these pellets so it's great to follow your progres.

[DrHarryLopez]

So here is a dumb cost estimate.

I started with 16" of tumbling pellets
8/22/10 (actual date started)
pellets dropped 4cm by 9/14/10 (24 days)
pellets dropped another 4cm by 9/20/10

(Excluding the startup difference 8cm)
If 16cm = 1000ml, and based on the small sample experience I'm having;
assuming the bio-pellets are consumed @ 4cm/week
In 4 weeks all the bio-pellets would be consumed
Thats $100/month! Thats no good!

However, if we use the initial start up date to 9/20 we would have 30 days.
If we divide 1000ml by 16cm we would get 62.5ml/cm
8cm in 30 days, 16cm would take 60 days to be consumed.
Thats $50/month! Thats better!

Is my math correct?

All this is hypothetical until I find a consistent trend or at least let the reactor run its course. At this rate I'll be adding more pellets next week.

[DrHarryLopez]

BTW 9/20/10 Chemistry testing

Ca 450 (a drop in Ca from 470 last week)
Alk 7.0/2.51 (a drop in Alk from 7.9 last week)
Mg 1335
Phos 0.03 (used my Martini Instruments MI412)

Never used a phosban reactor or carbon on this system.

I'm wondering if the drop in chemistry is related to a greater demand and activity of the corals due to the help of the Bio-Pellets?

[afernandez]

taggin along doc! thanks for all the detail researching now

[bertoni]

It's very possible that better water conditions have encourage coralline and stony coral growth. That wouldn't surprise me at all.

[DrHarryLopez]

Pellets dropped 1.5cm in 8 days. The rate of consumption slowed by 2.5cm.
I will ck the parameters tomorrow.

I need to purchase more biopellets. I should get them in by friday. I'm going to add 500ml.

I fellow reefer wants to trade a cup of my colonized bio-pellets for a cup new bio pellets. He wants to inoculate his reactor. Told him to wait a week or so as my new pellets colonize. Still not sure how long they'll live on the return trip to his reactor.

[DrHarryLopez]

Added new bio pellets replenishing carbon source. Notice the distinct color differnce btwn the old pellets and the new.
(btw I reset the tape marker after i took the pic)