bio pellet vs sulfur denitrator?

[atraperegrinus]

So which is the best option as of today? A lot of the google/search replies im getting are from 2006-2010 when stuff was still new.

I realize bio pellets does nitrate and phosphate, but the sulfur is pretty beastly when it comes to nitrate removal alone aswell. I realize i could just dose carbon manually aswell but i'm mainly curious about which of the two options are better between the denitrators.

thanks guys!

p.s. 55g no sump now, i have a 75g with 50g sump waiting to be cleaned out to upgrade too in the near future. just incase that matters as far as your answers might be concerned.

 

[atraperegrinus]

input anyone? I'm seriously considering one or the other, the sulfur denitrator sounds appealing because the media is basically indefinitely store-able after use.

so unless biopellets or something else is vastly superior, i'll probably go that route.

 

[coolkidtr]

Personally, I have run both. For less than 100 gallons I think you are better off running Biopellets. Much easier to maintain. In a much larger system you are better served running a sulfur denitrator. It is alot cheaper. I was burning through a litre a month of biopellets just to top off my reactor on a high bioload 400 gallon.

Tony

 

[atraperegrinus]

Personally, I have run both. For less than 100 gallons I think you are better off running Biopellets. Much easier to maintain. In a much larger system you are better served running a sulfur denitrator. It is alot cheaper. I was burning through a litre a month of biopellets just to top off my reactor on a high bioload 400 gallon.

Tony

well i already have the tanks, just building a stand now to upgrade to 75g with 50g sump, so im looking for the best choice long term here.


if i did biopellets i'd likely buy a recirculating reef octopus, if i go with the sulfur, i'd be copying from the DIY thread.

So i'm leaning towards the sulfur just from a cost point there $400 vs $100 in parts.

I just didnt want to go that route if biopellets was exceptionally better, but from what im reading the sulfur denitrator is pretty hard to beat cost effective wise, and I already have a phosban reactor sitting here, so i could use that for phosphate.

also biopellets heavily relies on a skimmer to remove the bacteria after the reactor correct? where as the sulfur just kinda does its own thing with nothing needed but dosing to keep alk up?