Interest in Bio-Pellets

[demariners]

I am considering replacing my refugium and phosban reactor with bio-pellets. I am curious if I should still run my phosban reactor with it or replace this completely with a bio pellet reactor. I do not have much room so one unit would be best for me. Also, do I need to put micro bacteria booster in the tank with this? I am seeing that this helps with it but i am wondering if it is necessary? I have a skimmer and I am wondering if there is anything else I need or need to know about introducing this into my system. My system is about 7 months old. My nitrates are usually at about 10-20 and phosphates are usually 0. Thank you.

 

[Bugger]

You will then have a phosphate problem and not a natrate problem. I would just not worry about the pellets and dose vinager

 

[demariners]

I have enough room for 2 reactors.

 

[Squidmotron]

You should still run your phosphate reactor. They only remove a small amount of phosphates. They are mainly denitrifying.

 

[demariners]

Do I need to "seed" the bio pellets using MicroBacter? If so how long should I do it for? Do I need to weekly dose this while I have bio-pellets?

 

[salman01]

I run ecobak pellets and carbon. so far so good

 

[demariners]

I am hearing all kinds of mixed reviews and been looking at the threads on here. I have shut off my GFO. I am curious if I even should run the GFO with the bio-pellets. It sounds like the bio-pellets can strip the system of it's needed nutrients? Can anyone shed some light on this for me. Thank you.

 

[Squidmotron]

As I said, I would probably run the GFO with the biopellets ... if you detect any phosphates or have algae problems. If not, don't worry about it. It's my understanding that the biopellets mainly take care of nitrates mainly, so if that's your issue I might try it.

I'm not sure about "stripping the system of nutrients", but I've heard this about everything under the sun... including protein skimmers. But it's possible. If so, maybe someone could explain that...

 

[demariners]

Well I am going to shut off my GFO for the time being while I begin the bio pellets. If I start to see a rise in phosphates I can always install is back later. I am just hearing that it should not be needed to run GFO with the bio-pellets. Guess we will wait and see.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well I am going to shut off my GFO for the time being while I begin the bio pellets. If I start to see a rise in phosphates I can always install is back later. I am just hearing that it should not be needed to run GFO with the bio-pellets. Guess we will wait and see.

I too think you may find otherwise, but it's reasonable to wait and see.

Pellets and other organic carbon dosing often leaves behind phosphate since it is not necessarily a balanced N and P export method. That phosphate is best dealt with other ways, such as GFO. I use all of skimming, organic carbon dosing, macroalgae growth, GAC, GFO, and large rock filled refugia.

 

[Steve175]

If you are adding this for an ongoing problem (algae, etc.), I would suggest leaving the GFO on board. The biopellets will not be effective until mature and you make make your problem worse in the interim.

 

[demariners]

I am just trying to keep my nitrates down before I prepare to get more sensitive corals. Currently my nitrates are about 10-20 ppm.