Biopellets

[carb850]

I'm just recently heard about the Biopellets. From what I can tell, they are another way of carbon dosing. I have read you cannot overdose and that the bacteria stays contained in the reactor so you don't have to worry about stringiness in your tank. So other than cost are their any downsides to this product? Speaking of cost, it sounds to me like they last a fair amount of time. For say a 100G typical tank how long would a 500ml bag last?

 

[carb850]

I did a little more research and it sounds like a 500ml bag should last me 4-5 months?

Anyone know of a reason not to use the Biopellets? Anyone local tried them?

 

[Orr2003]

Solid Carbon Dosing / Pellets

Warner Marine EcoBAK
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1847060

Reef Interests' N/P Bio Pellets
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1694529

Instant Ocean Biopolymer nitrate Reducer
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1766100


Possible DIY
Shapelock Pellets
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1830864


Friendly Plastics/shapelock and other polycaprolactone (PCL)
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1766100

 

[rsuplido]

There's another one that was just announced:
Pro Bio Pellets by Vetex (just search it, can't link to another site).

It looks like the cheapest pellet looking ones is the one from Warner Marine -- about 40% cheaper than Reef Interest's.


I'm using Reef Interest's now on my pico, on a TLF reactor. It's about 3 weeks now, just checked my Nitrates, and they are zero.

Here are my Nitrates data:

4/28/2010: 0 ppm (end of cycling)
5/3/2010: 1.32 ppm
5/8/2010: 1.54 ppm
5/16/2010: 0 ppm

 

[carb850]

Ah, I didn't realize that 'biopellets' was one particular name. The price on the Warner is really nice. Be interesting to watch and see how they all do and compare to one another.

 

[rsuplido]

FYI, if you want to get the Warner Marine EcoBAK asap, go email them (email is at their site). They are still waiting for their package labels but they will sell them for about $68 (shipped) a liter -- great price.

Note that as with any carbon coding method, once it starts working, you need to supplement nutrition. So you might need to dose amino acid as well.