Anyone using All-in-one Biopellets?

[D-Nak]

Just curious as it's something I'm thinking about trying. If you're using the AIO BPs, which reactor are you using? Any recommendations? It's for a 150 total gallon tank.

 

[D-Nak]

...or standard biopellets for that matter. I don't mind running GFO as I still have a ton of it. I just want to know which reactors are good off the shelf, I'm not into modding things anymore.

 

[reev]

I use standard biopellets on a home-made reactor similar to nextreef SMR1 for few years now.

And I'm just about to build a recirculating one for a friend of mine. The design is based on
http://www.reefdynamics.com/Reef-Dynamics-Bio-Pellet-Reactor-Model-BPR135E-p/bpr135e.htm

IMO, a reactor such as nextreef would do. Even my DYI reactor is set&forget. I just clean it once a year and add more pellets to it. I would expect that nextreef is as reliable if not better.

I don't really see the need of a recirculating reactor, but it's up to the owner. My buddy likes to test his water, adjust, re-test,repeat . A recirculating reactor would fit in his setup!

 

[Dapg8gt]

I have about 2000ml+ of the AIO but haven't put them online as the jury is still out on if they do any better than standard pellets for p04.Some people say they work the same as standard, others say they are better and then some say they don't work whatsoever lol. I'm not sure I'm going to incorporate then into this system at all but if I was I would use a recirculating reactor for sure. That's what's recommended by the manufacturer and the ones who are successfully using them also.

Ime bio pellets in general are best used with a recirculating reactor so you can tone them down when needed or adapt your system to them if you are adding them to an existing one. The ability to fine tune nutrients vs just strip it all out uncontrollably should say it all. As Reev pointed out Reef dynamics was the fore runner in developing them and a solid choice for a purchase. They can easily be made though even avast sells a cheap kit you can add on to have a controllable recirculating reactor.

Read up on adding them to an existing tank as it has caused many a tank crash. I've seen it personally a few times and read about it a lot. ( that's probably why I haven't added them on yet cause I'm a pansy lol)

 

[rlman41299]

I use standard biopellets on a home-made reactor similar to nextreef SMR1 for few years now.

And I'm just about to build a recirculating one for a friend of mine. The design is based on
http://www.reefdynamics.com/Reef-Dynamics-Bio-Pellet-Reactor-Model-BPR135E-p/bpr135e.htm

IMO, a reactor such as nextreef would do. Even my DYI reactor is set&forget. I just clean it once a year and add more pellets to it. I would expect that nextreef is as reliable if not better.

I don't really see the need of a recirculating reactor, but it's up to the owner. My buddy likes to test his water, adjust, re-test,repeat . A recirculating reactor would fit in his setup!

Is this you Joe? This is Ryan. We share a common friend named Tris lol

 

[rlman41299]

I recently purchased the AIO biopellets but have not used them since my biopellets are still pretty much half full. I am using 2 kinds of reactors mainly the Avast marine with recirculating kit for my 120g main tank and a JNS alpha1 reactor for my 90g frag tank. So far both are doing their job specially the avast marine. Only gripe I have is it's a PITA to refill since you have to remove the top plate and the wand. I would prefer the reef dynamics but he wait just kills it for me.

 

[nanomarine]

I've been using the npx pellets from tlf for several years now and finally got mine dialed in. Here's my experience working with biopellets.

After my first 6 months of using it my tank crashed. I was using the tlf150 reactor with the plastic disc suggested from tlf with the mj1200. The problem was that after several months, the pellets were getting too heavy for the mj1200 and not all pellets are tumbling which cultivated a continuous supply of bad bacteria. Some of the pellets were turning blue
lesson #1 all pellets have to be tumbling
Then I saw a youtube video about a simple mod on the tlf150 to enabling biopellet tumbling by simply removing the bottom plate. That mod works wonder if you're using the tlf150 reactors which is the cheapest one by far.
So I was turning the mj1200 full blast tumbling the pellets and after a few months I sensed that the corals are not happy and I was sensing another crash was coming. Then I added the flow control valve that comes with the reactors and adjust the flow to have a gentle tumble.
lesson#2 works best if pellets are tumbling gently

 

[reev]

Is this you Joe? This is Ryan. We share a common friend named Tris lol

Sorry, it's not Joe .

 

[Reefer_Addickt]

I use the Hydra Aquatics reactor with a dc4000, could use a 3000 or 2000, but I like being able to get them churning. I use Dr. Tim's pellets at half the recommended dosage, so far no cyano, did clear up some of my algae and my tank looks better (subjective).

http://www.aquacave.com/aquarium-filters/biopellets-reactors/hydra-aquatics-biopellets-reactors.html

Here you can see it in action on someone elses tank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJaGrLoFHvg

 

[EnderTurtle]

I use gfo and carbon in a dual BRS reactor. Maybe I need to start using biopellets. Do you have to avoid tumbling like carbon?

How do biopellets compare to gfo and carbon? Does it also target nitrates?

 

[euod]

Biopellets target nitrate but the all in one is supposed to lower phosphate, too.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2410056

 

[Reefer_Addickt]

Nitrate and phosphates, it's a form of carbon dosing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lMaAQwyV-M

 

[blink]

I have been using the AIO pellets for a few months now. I think it works a little better as i have much less cyano than when i used the regular pellets. I still have some cyano. i'm using them in a reef octopus reactor. I have a 150 gal tank but only have a few soft coral.