northbay-reefer
New member
Here are some information that I found in the RC chemistry forum (by Highlander) I though you might want to read.
Little of the research is directly related to use of these biopellets in the reef aquarium. From the research specific to reef aquariums. There are several methods that the bio-pellets can be used and the results vary concerning nitate reduction:
1) Placing the biopellets in filter bags: This method works but the bags tend to clog easily and need to be cleaned at least once per week. The results are not the best using this method according to the research.
2) Placing the biopellets in a reactor: This method is what many hobbyists currently use. The problem with this method is the biopellets do not seem to provide the best surfaces for bacterial biomasses to grow on. The results using straight biopellets in a reactor are not that great according to the research and many hobbyists complain of bacterial blooms which is not good. Hobbyists complain that the nitrate rate is not reduced adequately when levels are high.
3) Placing the biopellets in a reactor with about a 50/50 mix of coarse aragonite gravel about 4 -6 cm in diameter: This method provides much better nitrate reduction then the biopellets alone in the reactor based on the total amount of biopellets used and less bacterial blooms according to research. This seems to be the best way to use the biopellets in a reactor and provides good results regarding nitrate reduction according to the research.
4) Mixing the biopellets into a coarse gravel bed at the base of the aquarium (same size as above). This method provides very good results as with the gravel mixed in the reactor. There is more surface area in a larger coarse gravel sand bed, more pellets can be added & they only need to be replaced about every 6 months. This works great for nitrate reduction, but many hobbyists would not want a coarse gravel bed in their tank, others may like its appearance. This method provides the best nitrate reduction results according to research using normal sized biopellets.
5) Powdering the biopellets and adding it directly to the aquarium water: This is the method used in the Instant Ocean biopolymer product. The research shows this works well and the amount you add on a regular basis can be controlled to prevent bacterial blooms and meet your nitrate reduction needs. This turns out to be the choice for use for marine aquariums according to the research giving excellent results.
Little of the research is directly related to use of these biopellets in the reef aquarium. From the research specific to reef aquariums. There are several methods that the bio-pellets can be used and the results vary concerning nitate reduction:
1) Placing the biopellets in filter bags: This method works but the bags tend to clog easily and need to be cleaned at least once per week. The results are not the best using this method according to the research.
2) Placing the biopellets in a reactor: This method is what many hobbyists currently use. The problem with this method is the biopellets do not seem to provide the best surfaces for bacterial biomasses to grow on. The results using straight biopellets in a reactor are not that great according to the research and many hobbyists complain of bacterial blooms which is not good. Hobbyists complain that the nitrate rate is not reduced adequately when levels are high.
3) Placing the biopellets in a reactor with about a 50/50 mix of coarse aragonite gravel about 4 -6 cm in diameter: This method provides much better nitrate reduction then the biopellets alone in the reactor based on the total amount of biopellets used and less bacterial blooms according to research. This seems to be the best way to use the biopellets in a reactor and provides good results regarding nitrate reduction according to the research.
4) Mixing the biopellets into a coarse gravel bed at the base of the aquarium (same size as above). This method provides very good results as with the gravel mixed in the reactor. There is more surface area in a larger coarse gravel sand bed, more pellets can be added & they only need to be replaced about every 6 months. This works great for nitrate reduction, but many hobbyists would not want a coarse gravel bed in their tank, others may like its appearance. This method provides the best nitrate reduction results according to research using normal sized biopellets.
5) Powdering the biopellets and adding it directly to the aquarium water: This is the method used in the Instant Ocean biopolymer product. The research shows this works well and the amount you add on a regular basis can be controlled to prevent bacterial blooms and meet your nitrate reduction needs. This turns out to be the choice for use for marine aquariums according to the research giving excellent results.
