Biopellets
- Thread starter Endy0430
- Start date
mlivvy
em-lee-vee
I ran them in my old tank for a few months and did notice a drop in nitrates. But then oneday we lost power and when it came back the return pump wouldn't restart. I had to service the pump so the pellets (since they were plumbed off a manifold on the return) didn't work for a few days. In the days that I awaited a replacement return pump I noticed the pellets mutated into something else. It looked like coleslaw inside the reactor. It worried me to think that you can so easily potentially nuke your tank if something were to go wrong. I think what works best is a recirculating reactor which is what I needed and with it's own pump plugged into a ups. I didn't want to spend more money on it replacing the reactor so I decided to d/c it. It's really 50/50 on the response you'll get with using them.
That's but bacteria concentrated since the flow had stopped. Once bacteria is formed on the pellets, they don't take much to tumble.
Reefer54
New member
to make them tumble without a reactor, i simply put filled a mesh bag, like one you would get for carbon, about 1\3 full (about 40% of the total amount to be used eventually) and tied one end of the bag. Stuck it in the sump directly under my drain inlets and they tumble very nicely.
you can also store them if you like or if you strip your tank of too many nitrates, store them damp in a single layer i believe, not in a bag all clumped up or wet. double check that.
you can also store them if you like or if you strip your tank of too many nitrates, store them damp in a single layer i believe, not in a bag all clumped up or wet. double check that.
Biggar
New member
I have been using for about 6 months. Beforehand, my nitrates were nearing 10, been consistently and slowly coming down. Last time I checked they were 2.5. Im using about 1/2 the recommended amount. I can also tell you to get a strong pump if you want them to tumble well in a reactor.
DRThompson
2018 FMAS President
I have a DIY recirc biopellet reactor FS. $100. Made from nextreef mr1 xl and will connect nicely to a mag3 (not included). pm if interested.
nivram
New member
+1
But it's not just the tumble that's great about recirculating reactors. You can also control the amount of water processed thru the reactor.
mrx66699
New member
A biodenitrator would be better option .....
Maybe, but like you I have bags of the NPX pellets. LOL
I have to wait and see if I even have space for it. Currently the algae scrubbers are top on my list to get nitrates and phosphates down.
mrx66699
New member
The algae scrubbers and biopellets won't even compare take a look at the data in the build thread Dave and I put up ......that's a 120gal a day water change its capable of on my system.......imagine the size of your system ....no3 and capable of po4
nivram
New member
Matt,
Without being able to compare apples to apples, you can't really say one is better than another.
It would be nice if someone could conduct a study comparing the different methods. However, like many things in our hobby, there is little scientific backing or testing as how they function in the aquarium.
I believe each system has its pros and cons. I've seen successful tanks using all different methods.
mrx66699
New member
Yes everything has pros and cons and I too have seen multiple methods on multiple successful tanks......But in comparisons of data and first hand observation of heavily bio loaded systems this method by far has show myself better efficiency....Which is supported with scientific data along with first hand observation from past and present usage along with apples to apples hard data comparisons in Adolf's writings and local systems here in South Florida.... if anyone wants local first hand observation data look no further than SPS dominated systems like Roger's old system, Manny's (Gassman's) old system, Dave Thompson's system.........yes every method has pros and cons I do agree on that and the con for me on this method was cost effectiveness on my size of a system up until now but when comparing the data between usage on my own personal system (apples to apples) along with first hand observation of other well respected systems in our hobby this method IMO was the most effective compared to the others stated.....if you want hard data here is 30gal over 8.5 hours... on the left is starting numbers on the right is finished numbers......
nivram
New member
Matt you still aren't comparing apples to apples. Show me two filtration setups that are mature and established. And measure their ability to remove x amount of nitrates and phosphates over a known time period using scientific method to ensure all else equal and then I will agree with you on which is a better system.
Yes you pointed out some great systems that used a methanol or carbon based denitrification. However I can show you and equal amount of nice setups that used other methods. Heck, go check out the tank of the month builds.
Run a established bio pellet, sulfur denitrator, etc on a enclosed 30 gal container and will they achieve the same results of denitrification?
If any students are interested in doing this type of experimentation please let me know.
Sorry to derail your thread Endy.
Yes you pointed out some great systems that used a methanol or carbon based denitrification. However I can show you and equal amount of nice setups that used other methods. Heck, go check out the tank of the month builds.
Run a established bio pellet, sulfur denitrator, etc on a enclosed 30 gal container and will they achieve the same results of denitrification?
If any students are interested in doing this type of experimentation please let me know.
Sorry to derail your thread Endy.
mrx66699
New member
I like the idea ....lets take the same amount of water from the same system and an established biopellet reactor and test it out ....I will make up another 30 gal chamber and we can take and hook up the biopellet reactor to it and check it in 7 hours as that's where my cycle time is at present and see what effect it has in that time period .....we could do this for other methods when finished also ....just need an established reactor for a few hours ....
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