daveonbass
New member
I just wanted to clarify...what is a TF reactor? or is it a TLF 150?
if it is the TLF I was wondering what "o-ring" are you referring to...?
N/P reducing pellets (solid vodka dosing)
- Thread starter tntneon
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I just wanted to clarify...what is a TF reactor? or is it a TLF 150?
if it is the TLF I was wondering what "o-ring" are you referring to...?
tntneon
SPSahollic
-The problems with the pellets regarding not tumbling , lies in the fact that the reactors all have some kind of filtering pad on the overflow / output of
those reactors.
These pads will get saturated with bacterial detrius and thus reducing the flow , also when just starting up an reactor and the flow is too high the tumbling pellets will also plug the top pad and reduce flow tru reactor and stopping the bottom pellets from tumbling.
I think an open reactor or overflow vessle is the answer to these kind of problems , mine is just an DIY overflow box 2.5" X 2.5 " and 6" high with an open overflow @ 300 to 400 G/h.
my pellets keeps tumbling happy w/o any problems.
greetingzz tntneon
those reactors.
These pads will get saturated with bacterial detrius and thus reducing the flow , also when just starting up an reactor and the flow is too high the tumbling pellets will also plug the top pad and reduce flow tru reactor and stopping the bottom pellets from tumbling.
I think an open reactor or overflow vessle is the answer to these kind of problems , mine is just an DIY overflow box 2.5" X 2.5 " and 6" high with an open overflow @ 300 to 400 G/h.
my pellets keeps tumbling happy w/o any problems.
greetingzz tntneon
Psionicdragon
New member
-The problems with the pellets regarding not tumbling , lies in the fact that the reactors all have some kind of filtering pad on the overflow / output of
those reactors.
These pads will get saturated with bacterial detrius and thus reducing the flow , also when just starting up an reactor and the flow is too high the tumbling pellets will also plug the top pad and reduce flow tru reactor and stopping the bottom pellets from tumbling.
I think an open reactor or overflow vessle is the answer to these kind of problems , mine is just an DIY overflow box 2.5" X 2.5 " and 6" high with an open overflow @ 300 to 400 G/h.
my pellets keeps tumbling happy w/o any problems.
greetingzz tntneon
i completely agree about the filter pads about getting clogged up etc. It can be noticed when you use GFO and see the stuff clogged up in the pads. have to clean it frequently otherwise, it will stop (this is for the gfo). I noticed the same thing happen with the pellets, so I removed the filter pad.
It tumbles more, but sometimes, I have to shake the media because it clumps for whatever reason. Actually I am not using the maxi jet 1200 anymore. I am using a rio 1400.
TF = Two Little Fishy/Fishes
I think one reason is that the media is a bit big and denser than say carbon. So it takes a little extra effort to tumble it.
I see minimal results, but I have only been using it for two weeks and I am still dosing VSV because when I stopped, even with the biopellets in the tank, things started to creep up and my SPS browned out. (phosphate)
Quite simply a 550 cannot run 1l of pellets. I tried everything bigger pumps - bigger hoses to unit etc. The input and central pipe is too restrictive and cannot get enough flow through it. I had the same reactor and had to change to a TMC Sand reactor (UK Brand).
Bzar
New member
Speaking of tumbling pellets...I've had to reduce the number of pellets in my BRS reactor cause it was too full to tumble right. It seems I'm going to need a bigger reactor and will probably get a Nextreef MR1 or something.
Anyway till that happens I needed a place to put my extra pellets in the tank. So I made this little Biopellet box (click the link below to see it), and I put it under the overflow output in the sump. That way it'll get flow and the bacteria will not die off on the pellets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU36n7C-3ik
Anyway till that happens I needed a place to put my extra pellets in the tank. So I made this little Biopellet box (click the link below to see it), and I put it under the overflow output in the sump. That way it'll get flow and the bacteria will not die off on the pellets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU36n7C-3ik
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That's an awesome idea. Hell, u could even cut a hole in the top and have your overflo pour dow through it. Would save for having yet another pump adding heat to the system. You have to rig in some kind of overflow diversion in the event they got backed up somehow, but that would be simple enough.
DJ
PowermanKW
New member
I have read this whole thread, but now I just can't remember...
So what is the verdict on pellts fueling cyano blooms? I know sugar dosing is known for this, but I thought it was not the case with pellets.
So what is the verdict on pellts fueling cyano blooms? I know sugar dosing is known for this, but I thought it was not the case with pellets.
ChuckG
New member
My experience thus far with the N/P version is that some carbon might find it's way to the display. Whether it is the raw material (I doubt) or sloughed off bacteria (more likely) that makes it into the display to decay I am not sure. Either way I have had some teething problems integrating and some things I would recommend to anyone new to this type of media to at least consider and keep an eye out for.
1) If your tank already has low readings for PO4, NO3, and has no active or viable nuisance algae growths then I'd suggest starting with a lower dose than is recommended for your tanks volume, monitor N03 and PO4 and add more pellets as needed.
2) Point the output of the reactor at your skimmer inlet as best as possible and make sure the skimmer is running optimally.
3) If you have low PH over night in your tank, then the efficiency of carbon dosing (low nutrient) combined with high CO2 levels might provide an environment conducive to a dinoflagellite bloom. Any bacteria sloughed out of the reactor and not captured by a skimmer might be used by the dinos as food also.
daveonbass
New member
well I finally got my pellets to tumble...and good. I'm hopeing to see much better results now. Long story short, I replaced any external tubling that was 1/2" with 3/4" tubes. With less restrictions on flow (elbows and all) the 550 reactor is working really well. I'm trying to up load a video, but so far it won't let me...go figure. My nitrates are still steady at 40ppm.
daveonbass
New member
here I finally did another one...
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ChuckG
New member
I am certainly no expert and finding my way with this as well.. but that to me just seems like too much flow. I am wondering with flow like this how the bacteria are able to stay attached for any amount of time and actually feed on the pellets.
I have flow through my reactor so that all the pellets gently tumble. Still pellets on one side seem to flow more than the other but they all still move gently. With this flow pattern I can never read any measurable NO3 and PO4 measures 0.02 on a hannah meter which could effectively be consider a zero reading.
daveonbass
New member
I can still reduce it if I need too. Just gonna see how it does at that level.
ChuckG
New member
Yeah definitely try it and report back what you find..
I don't mean to be critical, this is a great product and all.. but it seems we all could use just a little more guidance 1st hand from the manufacturer on what the optimal tumbling rate is.
It almost looks as though with the wider reactors like yours that it could use some kind of diffuser at the bottom to help disperse the flow better given the size of this media.
daveonbass
New member
you mean a diffuser more than the bottom plate? I thought that was a diffuser of sorts. I also added the mesh mod guard on both the top and bottom of the lower plate in the reactor. Plus another one below the upper plate.
as far as the manufacturer...I agree, there could be a lot more visual info on how best to use these. Has there even been a video of the original set up that JP uses? I think that new competetors will probably do that...even going so far as selling us specific reactors and pumps that utilize their pellets more effectively. Gotta make more
as far as the manufacturer...I agree, there could be a lot more visual info on how best to use these. Has there even been a video of the original set up that JP uses? I think that new competetors will probably do that...even going so far as selling us specific reactors and pumps that utilize their pellets more effectively. Gotta make more
180+55reef
New member
so I have 350 gallons of water and I am agressively tumbling 2 leters of the pellets. I have had it running this was for about 3 weeks. I have seen no improvement and in fact the algae seems more prevelent. I have cyno which I have never had before. I dont feed much, 3 times a week and lately I have increased my water changes....
any ideas?
Thanks Frank
any ideas?
Thanks Frank
chercm
New member
same here
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