Ecobak Vodka dosing Pellets

[thysrof]

It's been 2 weeks yesterday that I started using the pellets. I turned off the GFO yesterday thinking the bacteria is starting to grow on the new pellets. In the last several days the skimmer has been pulling a lot more skimmate. The skimmate is a little lighter in color than before. Water is clear and all the animals seem to be doing really well. I'm getting some color back in some of my SPS's.

So far so good. I was just reading some more posts about another pellet simalar to the Ecobak. It appears people that we're using zeovit are trying this in the hope it creates the same low nutrient system without the daily maintanance. Wouldn't that be great!

Chow for now

 

[thysrof]

Ok I'm a month into using the pellets. I have scene some elimination of algae on the sand. I've been following the thread on the ECo-bak pellets and someone posted a video of the tumbling of the pellets in the media chamber. I think I wasn't tumbling the media enough so I turned up the flow into the reactor.

The other factor is the amount of media used. the recommendation was a 1/2 liter per 100 gallons. I did 1/2 liter for my 120. If the increased tumbling doesn't do the trick I will add more pellets to the reactor. I thought it best to start off under dosing to avoid any problems.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Bob, what you want to do is add more when you see the pellets shrinks or starting to used up. If the algea is going away then you just want to maintain and not try to use too much. I will order my pellets soon too.

 

[gdm42001]

What made you pick Ecobak as opposed to some of the other brands out there like NP Biopellets?

 

[thysrof]

I was following the thread and had to pick one. So I picked ECO-Bak

 

[gdm42001]

OK, was just wondering, I see now Brightwell Aquatics is marketing one as well called Katalyst. like everything else, one or two companies making the stuff and everyone else repackaging it with a new name??

 

[jedheuer]

Hey Bob,

Whats the advantage of the pellets over the regular liquid vodka? (assuming there is one?)

 

[northbay-reefer]

Hey Bob,

Whats the advantage of the pellets over the regular liquid vodka? (assuming there is one?)

For one, you just add this and forget it for a while, the other one you have to add every day.

 

[thysrof]

Tom is correct,The pellets last 6-12 months.

 

[thysrof]

Here's the thread I've been following. There's even some videos of how much to tumble the pellets.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847060

 

[gdm42001]

What kind of reactor are you using Bob?

 

[thysrof]

little fishes phosban. I turned up the flow into the reactor a couple of weeks ago and have noticed better results. I think flow thru reactor not too slow or fast is critical to get desired results.

Guy you have a 79 gal tank a small reactor will be just fine. I'm running a 1/2 Liter of pellets on my 120. If you're still having the algae problem i would try the pellets. I would also do a few extra water changes to help reduce Nitrate and phospate until the pellets kick in. The bacteria definately needs some time to grow on the pellets.

As I said flow seems really critical!

 

[gdm42001]

I have a ViaAqua Poly-Reactor (Multi-Media Reactor) on-hand
think that is good enough? From what I read on the other thread I should pull the foam out.

 

[thysrof]

owe yah any media reactor will do. Yes they reccomend pulling the mesh and using a plastic screen.

 

[gdm42001]

Bob,
What is the recommended amount to use in the reactor?
I have 1000 ML in my shopping cart, $59.99

And, how is your tank doing?

 

[thysrof]

I started with 500ml on my 120. That was the reccomended amount. I don't think you can over use the product. I'm still quite happy with the results I'm getting

 

[gdm42001]

1000 ml on Amazon.com

1000 ml on Amazon.com

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td align="right" nowrap="nowrap">Subtotal:</td> <td align="right" nowrap="nowrap">$59.95</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right" nowrap="nowrap">Shipping & Handling:</td> <td style="" align="right" nowrap="nowrap">$7.95</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right" nowrap="nowrap">
</td> <td align="right" nowrap="nowrap">-----</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right" nowrap="nowrap">Total Before Tax:</td> <td align="right" nowrap="nowrap">$67.90</td></tr></tbody></table>