N/P reducing pellets (solid vodka dosing)

[Daniel Reef]

My understanding is that the pellets are consumed as used and need to be replaced once they are gone. So if your system has more needs, then the pellets will be consumed quicker and you will eventually figure out how much is needed for your tank.

 

[Daniel Reef]

I would like to know if users of the pellets are also using ozone or a UV sterilizer and whether they negatively impact the use of the pellets.

 

[reefkeeper2]

I think it is the size of the bacterial population that is important. If there are not enough pellets, then there will just not be enough bacteria present to consume the the nutrients in the water. Presently I am dosing vodka. The bacterial population is spead out over the whole system. If I stop the dosing, that population will decline. I would need to replace at least the same amount growing on the pellets. I could be wrong, but I think this is a situation were more equals better. There is probably a lot of leeway here.

 

[reefkeeper2]

I would like to know if users of the pellets are also using ozone or a UV sterilizer and whether they negatively impact the use of the pellets.

Since the bacterial growth is confined to the surface of the pellets and not the water, I wouldn't think that ozone or UV would effect it at all once the bacteria have colonized the pellets.

 

[teesquare]

True - it seems that the use of UV - on the downstream side of the pellets should not have any effect. On the upstream side tho - it may slow the activation of them fully.

Shouldn't the reccomendation for the volume of pellets needed be based on the amount of N and P that you need to remove - vs - the volume of water in the system? It would make for better utilization of the product.
T

 

[reefkeeper2]

I agree, the bioload of the system should determine how many pellets you need. How is anyone to judge that though? Since my tank is 427 gal, that is probably the number I should use instead of the total water volume of the system.

 

[teesquare]

I should have more specific -
I am thinking that the amount of tested Phosphate and/or Nitrate should be the critical piece of evidence which helps determine the correct volume of the the NP Pellets.

Make sense to you?

T

 

[reefkeeper2]

I see what you mean, but I don't entirely agree. A 50gal reef with a nitrate level of 20ppm should not need as many pellets as a 200gal reef with a nitrate level of 20ppm. Even though the test results are the same, the 200gal reef has a much higher bioload with it's many more corals and fish putting out much more waste. It needs a larger bacterial population to metabolize that waste.
Right now in my tank the phosphates and nitrates are near undetectable. This is because I dose 26ml of vodka daily, and use GFO and lanthanum to help with the phosphates. If I stop dosing, I will need to have a bacterial population growing on the pellets large enough to do the same job. I would have to continue with the phosphate control measures regardless.

 

[teesquare]

Once again I have clearly demonstrated that my fingers don't always do what my brain tells them to do!

As part of the formula for quanity or volume of NP Pellets - why not take the PO4 and Nitrate readings, and based on the volume of water to remove that amount of PO4 and N from....develop a formula which is a more salient approach than just an arbitrary number of "so much per gallon".
*IF* the manufacturer or the distributors are watching - PLEASE consider this approach. It makes your product a better value if we can utilize it without waste, and likewise get all of the benefit from it by "sizing" it properly to the demand of each system according to its needs.
T

 

[reefkeeper2]

Thats sounds like a good approach.

 

[teesquare]

I am glad my brain cramp was worth it:fun4:

Certainly took me enough efforts to verbalize what was "rattling around in the attic!"

T

 

[itachi]

I just put my bio pellets to use after holding them for a couple weeks .. .Here's a video of my setup. Running 2L of pellets in a nextreef MR1 XL.

On a 240G display + 350G total volume

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[magnoliarichj]

i have had mine in for about 5 weeks... every thing is doing great. i do notice my skimmer is filled every 3-4 days. there is a clear slime on all my equipment and i have to clean my glass every other day.

 

[minireef30]

How much will I need for a total of 40 gallons, lightly stocked tank?

 

[tntneon]

How much will I need for a total of 40 gallons, lightly stocked tank?

-you can start out with about 300 gr of BP and over time you could increase it safely to 500 gr BP.

greetingzz tntneon

 

[tntneon]

i have had mine in for about 5 weeks... every thing is doing great. i do notice my skimmer is filled every 3-4 days. there is a clear slime on all my equipment and i have to clean my glass every other day.

Do you mean cleaning glass of display , or sleaning sump glass ?

I now can wait 3 to 4 days to clean my display glass.
i notice a white film is coating my BP overflow canister (bacteria) , else i don`t have any bacterial films or coatings.

greetingzz tntneon

 

[catman78]

Just started with 500 gr in my 120.

For those using Phosban reactor I have a question.
I'm using a 550 reactor with a maxi-jet 1200 @ running at around 80% capacity with ball valve adjustment.

Are the pellets supposed to be tumbling at the bottom of the reactor?

Mine are pushed to the top.

 

[catman78]

Tumbling now. Seems like they were clumped together @ first.
Perhaps I should have rinsed them first.

Will report back with findings. Started backing off Vodka, personally... along with tank.

 

[7hogwarts]

Other than expense. Since the bacteria colonizes and the pellets are consumed at different rates. Would it really matter if you put too much of the pellets in?

 

[tmz]

It might. They provide a carbon source which likely will permeate the tank. Too much may create too many bacteria.