Learned something new

[Pickupman66]

Ok. so I have been having some spots of Cyano show up in my tank. aggrivated as to why since I test Zero Phosphates and zero nitrates. Hmmm....

well after doing some reading, it seems the Cyano (since it is a BACTERIA) can actually feed off the Vodka I have been dosing, especially if there is more if it then the Good denitrifying bacteria actually need! UGH!

Just wanted to point those things out. while I have been trying to remove as much of it as I can by hand, it still shows up in some places. I dont have dead spots.

Just thought I would share. In light of this, I will be re-evaluating the carbon dosing I am using. hopefully I can look into the Pellets that Bill is using.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Cyano, Unfortunatly is a side effect of all Carbon dosing, But very prevelant with Vodka dosing. I have not had any issues so far with Eco-Bak Cyano wise but there is some Diatom issues as a phase of the pellets that does pass. The Pellets are a better choice IMO and do a better job of Po4 control than Vodka (I've tried both)
Bill

 

[Pickupman66]

Interesting.....I have reduced the vodka to 1ml daily maintenance and skipped it yesterday. I had a bit of cloudy water when I woke up and attributed it to a bacteria bloom. I may dose .5ml today and do that every other day. maybe I need to buck up and feed the fish more too! lol. Guess my once a day habit will have to change. Ive jsut never been one to feed them a whole lot.

Bill, just for grins, how much in GPH do you have flowing thru that reactor? I was thinking of converting an old CA reactor to use the pellets.

 

[zef004]

Hey lindsey I post something on the sps thread on the top. Take a read in will help.

Yeah I'm on the ecobak too. Great stuff. My flow is around 100 or so ghp.

 

[Pickupman66]

Zef, Yea, I read that today! albeit on another website. Very good article....

 

[poolkeeper1]

Lindsay I have a Maxijet 1200 running wide open on a BRS Duel Reactor with both chambers about 3/4 way full of Eco-Bak. Almost a full 1000ml but may increase this now that i have a larger tank/Sump combo. I'll wait and see how the Po4 holds in a couple of weeks, If it starts going up I'll add some more.
Bill

 

[Mikeyjer]

What if I use those pellets in a canister filter? I've got 3 spare canister filters sitting there collecting dust...lol

 

[Pickupman66]

OH. well I guess that is quite a bit more than simple 1/4" tubing can handle... Guess I gotta figure out a better way. I do have a small two little fishies reactor that is sitting unused right now.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Not recommended Mikey, They say Fluidised reactor on the directions with 100gph flow
Lindsay, It takes 1000ml per 200gal of water of pellets, That will not fit even in a duel BRS reactor. You would need a MR1 or a Jumbo BRS to fill your needs for that size tank.
Bill

 

[Pickupman66]

Bill is that 1000 ml per hour of flow or volume of the container the media is housed in? If the latter.... Dang! Guess I gotta build it.

 

[poolkeeper1]

That means you need 1000ml of pellets for each 200gal of water, The flow rate through the reactor is 100gph to gently tumble the pellets. You would be better off having one reactor that will hold the amount you need for your water volume, Then just power it off your manifold! The pellets are sold in 1000ml jars or 500ml bags if they still have that size, Not sure opn that. There is a Warner Marine Eco-Bak thread you can read to get up to speed on the whole process. I'll send you the link.
Bill

 

[Pickupman66]

Thannks bill.

 

[nightfire]

dont meant to hyjack the thread, but just out of curiosity how much eco-bak would i need for my system of only 55g and a sump/fuge holing maybe 6 or so gallons?

 

[Pickupman66]

If 1000ml for 200 gallons, then ~ 250ml for yours. Mario, it is useless without a good skimmer.

 

[nightfire]

lol looks light sooner rather then later i will have ta break down and get me a good skimmer lol any ideas on a good one for my system?