bio-pellet reactor?

[Kapital]

Hey guys I was told that a biopellet reactor might help with my nitrate issues so I am going to be buying one in the next few day to a week. I have a 125g mixed reef tank and was wondering if anyone had any success stories or horror stories about the brands out there. Thanks

 

[InADream]

Kapital,

A biopellet reactor will help with issues, but you need to figure out what is causing the issue first. If you find a quick fix to solve a problem, all you are doing is prolonging the inevitable. If for some reason a year down the road you have a tank full of corals and everything is thriving do to the reactor and it fails you chance losing everything.

A biopellet reactor should be used to help get a tank with low nutrients even lower.

If your issues are due to not using proper equipment or water, even a biopellet reactor will not help. Work on getting your tank under control through husbandry before you try quick fixes.

 

[Kapital]

I have looked at everything to see what is causing it. I am not sure at all what it is. I feel it's just a problem that has come within the last couple of months due to failure to do proper testing. I'm at doing daily 10g water changes and still getting bad results so figured this would help with cleaning it up then have to prevent future issues plus help with bacteria for corals.

 

[InADream]

There is a reason that your nitrates are high, they would not be that high with proper husbandry. If you never find the reason to your problem you could ultimately cause more problems trying to cover them up.

What type of water are you using for you water change?

How much do you feed? What do you feed?

I would get your nitrates to a maintainable level before trying pellets. A biopellet reactor can cause a ton of problems if not done correctly, and maintained. Biopellets have been known to cause lots of cyano and other types of algae. If you do not have a good reactor and adequate flow you could pollute your tank with unwanted bacteria.

Pellets have also been known to take several weeks to start to work and then are not enough to remove the amount of nutrients present.

 

[InADream]

Double Post

 

[josephv]

Are bio pellets working well for anyone?l

 

[InADream]

Joseph,

as long as you follow guidelines and have a good reactor they will work great. A recirc reactor is amust, and the output needs to be plumbed into the skimmer. Also, you need to have your skimmer dialed in to slim wet.

You cannot just hook it up and forget about it.

 

[rogergolf66]

How often do u change ur filter sock? How often do u feed? What skimmer r u running? This can help figure out ur nitrate problem. Also how often do u clean the skimmer cup?

 

[Kapital]

I change my filter sock twice a week. Feed once a day 2cubes of mysis shrimp ( have cut back to every other day). Use a reef octopus NW-150-6530b and change it out once a week.

 

[rogergolf66]

My recommendations r clean Skimmer cup neck everyother day and change filter sock daily. Feeding sounds OK but if u r going 2 cubs everyother day why not 1 cube every day. This will help nitrates as long as ur source water is good to start with

U could test source water before water chaange

 

[Kapital]

My sand bed is really bad and I have a sand sifting goby which leads me to believe he is causing the issue. Going to do the changes and clean the skimmer neck. Although, about two-three weeks ago i took the whole thing out and cleaned it. And thanks for advice on the one cube a day... I've been so caught up about lowering my nitrates I didn't even think of it.

 

[InADream]

I agree change the filter sock daily and you will see a big change.

 

[cjgalante]

I may have one for sale. PM me if interested

Chris

 

[InADream]

Kapital,

You will see a big difference in nitrate levels by changing the filter sock more often. Filter socks are a breading ground for nitrates. Changing socks and a few big water changes and you should see a huge drop in trates in a few days.

Good Luck,

 

[Kapital]

Yeah I took a look down there a little bit ago and it was as dark as it usually is when I change them twice a week so after I pick up my buddy at the airport going to go home and change it out. Thank you inadream and roger I would have never looked an noticed.... And I changed it yesterday.

 

[InADream]

Usually once the sock is a dark color it has been way to long. My system is nitrate limited so I change the sock every other day and that is long enough to raise the trates. After you have dropped your nitrates to a lower level then it would be a better time to begin looking into carbon dosing.

Good Luck,

 

[Kapital]

I usually run carbon in the sock... U think I should stop? Also what about my dosing? Is there anything I should avoid dosing during this nitrate infestation...

 

[InADream]

What are you currently dosing?

As for the carbon, I am a firm believer that the carbon is best run in a reactor. I would stop running the carbon for a few days and see if it helps. If the carbon in the sock is not getting enough flow it can become a breeding ground for nitrates.

I would stick to the basics for awhile and see how it goes. Change the filter sock daily, don't overfeed, run your skimmer wet, remove any sponges or filter pads in the tank/sump. Basically, anything like a sponge, filter floss, or media can cause a nitrate bloom.

Good Luck,

 

[Kapital]

I was dosing code a, code b, magnesium, strontium, potassium, replenish, restore, coral amino, reef snow, iodine, zooplankton, and phytoplankton.

 

[rogergolf66]

I was dosing code a, code b, magnesium, strontium, potassium, replenish, restore, coral amino, reef snow, iodine, zooplankton, and phytoplankton.

Wow that's a lot. Why dosing so much? Magnesium, strontium, potassium, iodine will be replenished with proper water changes so no need to dose in my opinion. I am guessing code a and code b r alkalinity and calcium? That's good. I didn't re read but I think u where having nitrates? So I don't see the need for the zooplankton and phytoplankton. Not sure what restore is? I'm guessing coral amino r amino acid? The reef snow I don't know much about but I hear good things but till u get nitrates down I would stop that also. I think the reef snow planktons could have been a big factor to the hi nitrates.