biopellet reactor? refugium?

[Zer0.]

Hey all,

So my 180 gallon tank is nearing the end of its cycling. I was originally planning to grow cheato in the refugium section of my sump on a reverse photocycle. However Ive been reading about people getting good nitrate and phosphate removal by way of biopellets. Should i cancel my refugium light and just go with biopellets? or just stick with the original plan? or both? Any ones thoughts on why one is better than the other or if using both would be a good idea would be appreciated.

So far I've only planned on running carbon passively in the return section. I don't have any experience with reactors.

Thanks

 

[whosurcaddie]

I have a fuge and dose vinegar which is basically the same thing as bio pellets. My cheato grows very slow but I have zero algae in my display so I'm all good with it. So yes you can do both.

 

[Zer0.]

Thanks Caddie, didnt know if the macro would grow with the pellets stripping out most of the nitrates and phosphates. Guess ill just go with macro in fuge for nutrient export at first and see how my levels go.

Btw im liking these lights, fans could be just a bit quiter but thats a small complaint.

 

[whosurcaddie]

You can add them in later but its good to understand that if your tank has a lot of corals and your phosphate and nitrate swing wildly it can cause them to bleach. I always recommend to use half of the recommended starting dose of bio pellets and work from there. That way your not getting these big swings in parameters and you can adjust much easier for a more gradual change.

 

[Crooked Reef]

Personally I would start with macro and if necessary work my way up to a bio pellet reactor. Either way, whether you go with a reactor or macro to begin with, I would leave a light on your sump on a reverse photoperiod to help stabilize ph.

 

[Zer0.]

Ahh, I thought it only helped with transmission pH if there are macros in there. Is this not the case?