tkeracer619
New member
I use the NP, TLF, or the BRS pellets. Just ordered BRS pellets this go around but I've used them before.
Biopellet Reactor: Tuning
- Thread starter gdemos
- Start date
Jeff is back with NOPO. He started a new company. Coralreefaquariumsupply.com
Aqualund
New member
Glad you're consistent in disregarding the advice you ask for =P
gdemos
New member
Here's an update and some recap. Running a reef dynamics 500 reactor and have had this running for two years. It has helped me reduce nitrates from almost 100ppm to undetectable. However recently my phosphates have kicked up from .01 to .1 and have recently put GFO inline as a result. I've run GFO for two weeks but po4 has not come down noticeably. Just last week I noticed the BIOPELLET reactor getting very sludgy/slimey. I routinely kick up the tumble to shed excess biofilm. I have the effluent t plumbed direct to my very large skimmer
Last week I Opened the reactor to clean the recirc and effluent strainers and I noticed exciessive sludge like I've never seen before. I decided to take the reactor offline and thoroughly clean the unit. There was sludge everywhere in the pump the plumbing and the effluent line. It was horrid. I do not think this is hydrogen sulfide but could be wrong.
For the past 4 months I've been using two little fishes brand pellets. Prior to this I used NOPO pellets that reefdynamics carried. I noticed the TLF pellets were smaller and perhaps less 'durable' but they worked - they kept excess nutrients low.
I presume the po4 increase was perhaps due to the lack of no3 as I understand one becomes limiting. But I cannot understand the sludge. Four days after w very thorough reactor cleaning and the sludge is returning. My glass is getting consistent (daily) white film in glass and water slightly cloudy.
Can anyone explain the sludge and will dr tims pellets I just bought remedy the situation ?
I have always kept a decent even and not too turbid fluidization. I am currently at a flow rate of 11.4 gallons per hour on the effluent. Which was slowed down from 24 gph.
Dr tims was suggested to me here. Just getting round to it now as the TLF is about depleted from my inventory.
So- is the sludge related to the brand of pellet- the introduction of GFO or something else. I really don't think it's tumble/flow related after three years with this I feel confident with that and got a lot of help here! Thanks
Last week I Opened the reactor to clean the recirc and effluent strainers and I noticed exciessive sludge like I've never seen before. I decided to take the reactor offline and thoroughly clean the unit. There was sludge everywhere in the pump the plumbing and the effluent line. It was horrid. I do not think this is hydrogen sulfide but could be wrong.
For the past 4 months I've been using two little fishes brand pellets. Prior to this I used NOPO pellets that reefdynamics carried. I noticed the TLF pellets were smaller and perhaps less 'durable' but they worked - they kept excess nutrients low.
I presume the po4 increase was perhaps due to the lack of no3 as I understand one becomes limiting. But I cannot understand the sludge. Four days after w very thorough reactor cleaning and the sludge is returning. My glass is getting consistent (daily) white film in glass and water slightly cloudy.
Can anyone explain the sludge and will dr tims pellets I just bought remedy the situation ?
I have always kept a decent even and not too turbid fluidization. I am currently at a flow rate of 11.4 gallons per hour on the effluent. Which was slowed down from 24 gph.
Dr tims was suggested to me here. Just getting round to it now as the TLF is about depleted from my inventory.
So- is the sludge related to the brand of pellet- the introduction of GFO or something else. I really don't think it's tumble/flow related after three years with this I feel confident with that and got a lot of help here! Thanks
Aqualund
New member
The sludge is a direct result of the filler they use to make the pellets. BRS and TLF pellets have by far the most filler of any pellet on the market.
The Dr.Tim's will resolve this. You will need less pellets and you will not have this sludge.
I also hope you didn't clean the pellets with anything besides saltwater.
The Dr.Tim's will resolve this. You will need less pellets and you will not have this sludge.
I also hope you didn't clean the pellets with anything besides saltwater.
gdemos
New member
DamonG
New member
Yes, keep us updated on the Dr tims pellets.. I can still get my nopo pellets but, I honestly have been curious about the tims, since I do occasionally use some of his other bottle products..
And yes I did one agree with you as you described about your sludge in that is probably the media, as what your describing, I've never seen using either the nopo or all in one pellets(that I briefly used) in that reactor..
And on a side note, I'm enjoying your videos and updates honestly dude! It began with a problem, but I really like your fish room.. And I'm envious of your fish room.. Lol, I really want to be like you guys with the fish room when I grow up! Lol...
And on the calcium reactor/kalk, I set up a reactor a few months back, and actually took my kalk offline because it was running my alk up too high. But it depends on where you like keeping your alk at, and what grows your life the best.. I keep mine at 8 dkh,and am able to do that with the reactor alone ..That's a thought, maybe a different calcium reactor? Because isn't that a corralife? Just throwing things out from your video, and you mentioned streamlining.. A big geo would work well.. I'm liking my CaRx from them tremendously..
gdemos
New member
Thanks glad you like that. I found with researching BIOPELLET that there was little in the way of well documented progress and I mean honest progress like success And troubleshooting with honesty so maybe my videos help someone as much as they help me. Glad you like!
I think tims is a good bet and will post updates. My concern with NOPO is the somewhat secrecy in source and the limited source - sure there is a site to get them but tims is more widely available so I like that aspect.
Those are reef octopus calcium reactors. I've got them on masterflex paristaltic pumps and pretty happy.
I read a lot about folks going 7 alk. My salt (seachem salinity) mixes at 7.7. I run my systems around 8.5. And I've been into Aussie acros for a while
I think tims is a good bet and will post updates. My concern with NOPO is the somewhat secrecy in source and the limited source - sure there is a site to get them but tims is more widely available so I like that aspect.
Those are reef octopus calcium reactors. I've got them on masterflex paristaltic pumps and pretty happy.
I read a lot about folks going 7 alk. My salt (seachem salinity) mixes at 7.7. I run my systems around 8.5. And I've been into Aussie acros for a while
DamonG
New member
Yes, that's my thoughts on the tims pellets also.. More of a ć just in case "for me, as I have about another years with of stashed pellets...Thanks glad you like that. I found with researching BIOPELLET that there was little in the way of well documented progress and I mean honest progress like success And troubleshooting with honesty so maybe my videos help someone as much as they help me. Glad you like!
I think tims is a good bet and will post updates. My concern with NOPO is the somewhat secrecy in source and the limited source - sure there is a site to get them but tims is more widely available so I like that aspect.
Those are reef octopus calcium reactors. I've got them on masterflex paristaltic pumps and pretty happy.
I read a lot about folks going 7 alk. My salt (seachem salinity) mixes at 7.7. I run my systems around 8.5. And I've been into Aussie acros for a while
And oh.. Lol, you have it all under control with your reactor.. Why are you thinking about pulling the kalk? Just to get it down to possibly 7.7?
gdemos
New member
Yes just want to see how things do at high 7 alk. Many speak of NSW parameters and I do notice that my sps always look best a couple days after a water change. In theory the ca reactor could supplement trace elements (after all it is a break down of ancient coral media) and I've dosed seachem aquavitro fuel (trace elements plus amino plus a unique algae) which I believe helps growth. So I want to see how things perform sticking with an alk level consistently matched to my salt mix. The ca reactor and paristaltic combo could not be more steady. I'm getting good growth and chasing color
DamonG
New member
That's the one thing I don't have is the dosing pump. But so far, things to be doing ok..
And your system looks good. I am still working on mine and where it should eventually be. But yes, with the pellets, most are running their alk very low like your saying.. I don't know, I might try to lower it a little of I feel like messing around.. But as before, I will keep up with your progress to see how things go..
