N/P reducing pellets (solid vodka dosing)

[MSHUR]

i might have to do that... or just chene it every day for a week or so..

 

[MSHUR]

I also notice skimmate is green insted of brown like i use to have

 

[TheFishMan65]

Several reports of skimmate color change. But don't remember from what to where.

 

[ehutchby]

Other than the price, is there any references, threads to show the differences between the Bio Pellet Brands? I've been looking at the Vertex and NP brands.

 

[Valas]

I simply switched from 100 micron poly felt to mesh socks. Any slime that slips past the skimmer is able to slip through the mesh socks without clogging them. They are now just for larger particles, runaway members of the cleaning crew and micro bubble control.

 

[MSHUR]

I took sock out for a couple of days. will see if i notice any improvments in ORP level

 

[reef_doug]

I took sock out for a couple of days. will see if i notice any improvments in ORP level

If your concerned about ORP or oxygen levels, I would run a couple airstones in the display until it improves.

 

[TheFishMan65]

ehutchbay, What is your criteria for picking one? In one of the thread Randy posted that certain plastic can be used and are much cheaper. Some WAMAS members actually got some of these "generics" in a group buy.

 

[reefrad]

sounds great! can you explain how your vertex reactor is modified?? can you aslo post a pic or 2?

thanks

Hi All,

I just thought I should post a follow-up of my experience. I had posted a few months ago stating that the pellets were not working and that I was thinking of giving up on the pellets.

I'm happy to report that after months of frustration, my nitrates are undetectable and my phosphate level is 0.00 as per hanna phosphate checker. There is no visible hair algae or cyanobacteria. My corals are looking better each day and they seem to be utilizing Ca at twice the rate they used to before (I have had to double my dosing to keep up).

I don't know why it took so long for me to start seeing results but the pellets finally came through... I initially started with the pellets in a phosban 550 reactor which did not work great (kept clogging) so I switched to a modified vertex zeovit reactor about 10 weeks ago. I'm not sure that this is the reason.

Overall, I am very happy with this product!

cheers

 

[ehutchby]

TheFishman65, what are some criteria to think about? Great question.
I've reviewed the following.
1. Price per 500ml
2. Suggested amount of pellets to use per gallon.
3. I don't know, but I'd guess that the different pellets are possibly made with different ingrediants. One product may last longer than another.
Thoughts. Thanks for help.

 

[TheFishMan65]

Here is a link to a WAMAS thread. Not a lot of testers, but I think the 'generics' are working as well as the others.
WAMAS info
I am going to give the generics a try.

 

[Wd40]

So how much flow are u guys finally runninh these pellets at?

 

[TheFishMan65]

I have read a gentle boil several times. The directions don't really say (from my reading); I think one version said that just a good flow (no mevement) was enough. I think the boild works the best becuse it will help slough off the bacteria that will then be skimmed out.

 

[milkman55]

I read 100 gph, but I certainly would look for other input. The theory is low flow so that you do not flush too much of the bacteria from the pellets back into the system. Output the flow at the skimmer intake.

 

[Toadally]

I'm using an MJ-1200 power head with my BRS reactor. The MJ-1200 is rated at 295gph, but I tested the output going through the reactor to be just a little over 50gph output. Although, even with this flow the pellets still seem to move around really well.

 

[jmoney]

there seems to be a lot of conflicting information about how to run these things best, aquarium specialty sells the total package that includes the next reef media reactor, and a mag drive 3 which is going at 350 gph and this is used for either 500ml or 1l. Personally i will be giving the system another go, using their complete setup and 1l of pellets on a 75 gallon 100 gallon total volume system, seeding with the last of the rf-genesis that i have from the reef-resh system.

 

[Toadally]

I think as long as you have good flow through the pellets, and they aren't clumping, you're good to go. Besides, the manufacturer also says you can run them passively in a media bag in your sump.

 

[Rwpdunne]

I used it once. Pellets slimed up in 2 days. Haven't used it since.

DJ

Hi DJ
How are your nitrate and phosphate levels now?

 

[DJREEF]

Hi DJ
How are your nitrate and phosphate levels now?

Not sure. I was going to test again later this week when I had a chance.

Wait - I tested Saturday. I forgot. I'm in a couple of threads with this and I get confused as to which one's I'm posting results.

NO3 - 30ppm
PO4 - 2ppm

So, it's come down some but still kind of stuck. I may add the rest of the pellets Friday.

DJ

 

[jjsan]

Is there a difference between these pellets, warners, vertex, and the ones on ebay?