tkeracer619
New member
Could be nutrient limited. I would run some tests. If the TLF is tumbling them I doubt that has anything to do with it.
~~~Are all Pellets created equal~~~
- Thread starter dh350twin
- Start date
naterealbig
Premium Member
Before you buy, check out this recirculating model. Should be much better at fine-tuning. I just bought one for my 150. Best design I have seen, period.
http://www.reefdynamics.com/category-s/257.htm
http://www.reefdynamics.com/category-s/257.htm
kc350twin
New member
I actually modded my TLF to be like the RD's reactor. I was then able to the control my parameters and regulate my P04 levels. I did this because I had gone too far with the Zeobak and a wide open reactor.
One of a few questions I have are.
Do you think it is possible that the NOPO rector is restricted by the amount of water it can process through the small RO line? or would you just add more pellets if needed?
In the early stages of Bio-pellets I read that you could almost not overdose or overdue them because they will only resolve due to the amount of Nitrate and Phosphate that the tank was producing. Is this still thought to be true? Did I change the game plan with Zeobak?
Kc3
I have used NP's for 2 years now, in multiple configurations. I have run a high flow, a slow flow, used then in a canister filter with flow and no tumbling and the only difference to the ability to work has been the rate at which they dissolved. A high flow, like you get with the CadLights Bass-O-Matic reactor would cause enough friction of the pellets grinding against each other to make them dissolve much sooner. In my tank there was no difference in the ability to control nutrients in any of the several ways I have run them. They worked just as well in a canister filter as they did in a fast tumbling reactor, but they needed to be replaced more often. Friction is not really needed in the great amount that some reactors employ.
The RD reactor is one of the best designs available, a straight flow through is not very tunable, and the RD one is. That is the biggest difference. You can also control the tumble and this has it's advantages. You want bacteria to reside on the pellets and consume them, but with a high tumble you are sloughing off too much bacteria, as well as part of the pellet, friction works like that. I don't believe the small line diameter of the RD reactor is an issue but on a large tank it is possible that it could be.
IME you can use too many, they are very efficient at consuming NO3 and PO4. I was able to remove so many nutrients that my Chaeto died, the glass never had an algae coating and the SPS and LPS began to suffer. Start small and increase as needed. It has also been noticed that in some tanks a little liquid carbon source, VSV was helpful in getting them jump started. Everyone's tank is different, so don't rush it. They consume far more nitrates than phosphates so you may have to run GFO with them as well.
The RD reactor is one of the best designs available, a straight flow through is not very tunable, and the RD one is. That is the biggest difference. You can also control the tumble and this has it's advantages. You want bacteria to reside on the pellets and consume them, but with a high tumble you are sloughing off too much bacteria, as well as part of the pellet, friction works like that. I don't believe the small line diameter of the RD reactor is an issue but on a large tank it is possible that it could be.
IME you can use too many, they are very efficient at consuming NO3 and PO4. I was able to remove so many nutrients that my Chaeto died, the glass never had an algae coating and the SPS and LPS began to suffer. Start small and increase as needed. It has also been noticed that in some tanks a little liquid carbon source, VSV was helpful in getting them jump started. Everyone's tank is different, so don't rush it. They consume far more nitrates than phosphates so you may have to run GFO with them as well.
dwa_jeff
Member
Do you have any pictures/instructions for modding the TLF? I'd love to check that out.
kc350twin
New member
I use the main pump to feed the reactor but if I swap the effluent lines it will siphon straight from the sump.
Here is a link to the thread I got the idea from. I didn't care for the "push on" mod so I used my old return pump. It is a Sicce Syncra 2.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2140954
Kc3
Last edited:
