Bio pellet Question:

[Molly may]

I'm running Bio pellets in one reactor, GFO in another, and Carbon in a third. All in my sump. The Bio pellets seem to be dissolving, and coating all other reactors, skimmer pump, and return pump, in white gummy coating, requiring cleaning, and changing of media, every few weeks. is this Normal?

 

[Lostinthedark]

No. They should last for months and very slowly dissolve. I'm not sure whats going on with yours. Maybe someone else can chime in. I would post what pellets your using and how much tumbling is going on. They should only be tumbling enough to keep them from sticking together.

 

[heathlindner25]

In my opinion all the white slime is because you are phosphate deficient. Pull the GFO offline and let the bio pellets run their course, eventually they will take up phosphates in a 3 to 1 ratio with nitrate

 

[adamsfour]

I am having the exact same problem. My levels all seem to be fine. I am expending an extensive amount of time cleaning the reactor and the pluming. Has anyone else had the same experience and have a fix. Could it be related to type of pellet's used.

 

[trueperc]

What kind of reactor are you running? What kind of skimmer are you running? Do you have the biopellet reactor output going into or at least close to the skimmer intake? Sounds like you and having to much flow in the reactor and the skimmer not being able to take up the amount of bacteria it reactor is producing.

 

[GimpyFin]

Your bio pellets should have a consistent gentle tumble in your reactor. If not they can clump and create a slimy mess. As mentioned above, the skimmer intake should also be near the output of the pellet reactor to effectively removed the film shed from the pellets.

 

[adamsfour]

Some really good points. I will investigate this evening. It certainly possible I have the movement too fast. I am using a reef dynamic reactor and the return line in theory should be near the inlet to the protein skimmer Thanks for the help

 

[mcgyvr]

The "slime" is bacterial growth.. Its 100% normal as the whole point of carbon dosing (biopellets) is to provide food for these bacteria..
You are providing the food.. They are living/growing..

The point of tumbling them is to knock any excessive "slime" out of the reactor where it can be removed via skimming,etc... Some amount of "slime" on them is normal in a reactor..

Then there is a fine line between having some "slime" and having too much (overdosing)..
If its coating pumps,etc.. thats overdosing..
If the water is cloudy.. thats overdosing..

If overdosing you should cut back on the number of biopellets...

 

[cwschoon]

Please forgive the revival of this thread. I have a basic question: I am looking at the JNS Alpha 1 for my medium stocked 125 mixed reef and it comes with 250ml of pellets. Can someone please guide me on the appropriate volume of pellets? Any other basic advice is appreciated.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Quick search: https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/topic/281069-jns-alpha-1-biopellet-reactor/

JNS MFG:https://www.jnsaquaria.com/en/product/24/45/77
Contact info @ bottom of page

 

[cwschoon]

Thank you Vinny. I'd visited the JNS site and it's still a joke. I love their product but can't figure out why they find it so difficult to include some useful instructions with their product or on their website.
Still looking for some specific guidance on how much pellet to start with and what to ramp up to.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

1st link says 250ml.

 

[cwschoon]

Thank you....I neglected to look at the biopellet bag....duh!