is biopellets better than Poly labs reef resh in removing no3 and po4?
- Thread starter chercm
- Start date
r-balljunkie
Registered Reefer
i think biopellets are gimmicky. some people may have success with them. i tried it several years ago, didnt really see the results. sticking to what i know, GFO and carbon.
chercm
New member
I have been getting cyano issues and nothing seems to work . I cannot seems to be able to keep corals with colors - other than pink bird nest and greens . I am trying bio sphere from poly labs and the no3 still at 0.5 according to salifert . I really do not understand where is the problem
downbeach
New member
I've been using BP's successfully for a few years now, but still have both a GAC, and GFO reactor on line.
Here are some considerations:
How long have you been using the pellets? It may take a few weeks for them to colonize, and begin to show an impact.
How much of the pellets have you added to your reactor? The recommended amount is about 250mL per 50 gal. of tank water.
Did you start out with a small amount, and build up to the recommended amount? You should start out with about 1/4 to 1/3 of the amount and add the balance incrementally every couple weeks, until you've reached the full amount for your system.
How much flow do you have through the reactor? The flow should be just enough to keep the pellets fluidized, so they don't clump, like a slow boil.
Do you have the effluent near your skimmer intake? Its very important to have a good skimmer here, and having the effluent plumbed into the skimmer would be best.
Where do you have your reactor located? It's best to have it located in a dark area.
I wouldn't use any other type of carbon source along with the pellets, i.e. NOPOX, Reefresh, vodka, vinegar, etc.
What are you using for lighting?
Here are some considerations:
How long have you been using the pellets? It may take a few weeks for them to colonize, and begin to show an impact.
How much of the pellets have you added to your reactor? The recommended amount is about 250mL per 50 gal. of tank water.
Did you start out with a small amount, and build up to the recommended amount? You should start out with about 1/4 to 1/3 of the amount and add the balance incrementally every couple weeks, until you've reached the full amount for your system.
How much flow do you have through the reactor? The flow should be just enough to keep the pellets fluidized, so they don't clump, like a slow boil.
Do you have the effluent near your skimmer intake? Its very important to have a good skimmer here, and having the effluent plumbed into the skimmer would be best.
Where do you have your reactor located? It's best to have it located in a dark area.
I wouldn't use any other type of carbon source along with the pellets, i.e. NOPOX, Reefresh, vodka, vinegar, etc.
What are you using for lighting?
Last edited:
chercm
New member
downbeach
New member
Only after the pellets have colonized, and you find you need it. Otherwise, during the initial start up I would take if off line.
chercm
New member
i thought the pellets are supposed to bring down po4 , why after the colonized ? how to know when to use it ?
I tried using in the past and gotten cyano , why is that the situation ?
downbeach
New member
In order for the bacteria to grow on the pellets, they will need not only the nitrogen, but also some phosphate as well. If using the GFO diminishes, or eliminates the PO4 the pellets will have a hard time being colonized. Once your pellets have colonized, (this may take 4 to 8 weeks), and you are still reading elevated level of PO4(I would use a Hanna meter for this), then consider redeploying your GFO.
There are many causes for GHA(cyano), most of the systems I know of who had an outbreak when using pellets, usually had too much flow through the reactor, or not enough of the effluent going through the skimmer, or a skimmer that was not adequate for their system.
There are many causes for GHA(cyano), most of the systems I know of who had an outbreak when using pellets, usually had too much flow through the reactor, or not enough of the effluent going through the skimmer, or a skimmer that was not adequate for their system.
chercm
New member
i have had no issues with red sea test kits they read exactly the same as my salifert and api... and i find them easier to use... use hanna egg for phos
downbeach
New member
As the bacteria grow/increase, they will take up the available N's and P's, and you will see your N's and P's diminish when you test.
Just enough to keep them from sticking together, usually like a slow boil. If you don't have a pump with an adjustable flow, you should have a ball valve on the intake or your reactor to adjust the flow up or down as needed.
chercm
New member
So is it better to use reef resh or bio pellets ?
downbeach
New member
Both will work, one is a liquid carbon source, and the other solid. I have used: NOPOX, vinegar and vodka successfully, but got tired(lazy), of doing all the testing and daily dosing. I like the pellets, since they are more of a set it and forget it solution. Meaning, that as your nutrients change (increase/decrease) the bacteria population in the BP reactor "reacts" to the change to compensate. In both cases it's important to have a good efficient skimmer.
chercm
New member
do you have any videos to show how should the flow should be ?
downbeach
New member
chercm
New member
Can phosban fr do the same ?
downbeach
New member
I'm not sure I understand the question, but it it refers to the tumble, yes your GFO is about the same...just enough to keep it from clumping.
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