NP Biopellets vs. Sulfur reactor?????

[WmTasker]

Ok. I am going to set up a new 40 gallon breeder as a reef. I was wanting to get away from the refugium. So I dont know whether to use a sulfur reactor or the new np biopellets?

Please post any pros and cons you might know to the two different methods. Also let me know any equipment or methods that have worked for you to reduce N/P.

Thanks

 

[moondoggy4]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1694529 hope this helps

 

[WmTasker]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1694529 hope this helps

Already spent a few hours reading that thread. I have spent lots of time reading threads about both of them. Just looking for some personal opinions comparing the two.

 

[jjsan]

ya, i was wondering the same. whats the difference? i read the sulfur works to get rid of nitrate too.

 

[ari5736]

I had awesome success with sulphur reactor, switched to NP reactor, with an extraordinant amount of media (3x recommended amount) with every flow scenario possible, and my nitrates are creeping up. I am putting the sulphur reactor back online. HTH.

 

[Jsin]

I have not used the Bio pellets so I cannot comment on them. I have been using a sulfur denitrator for a few years and have had great success. I also run a refugium along with it though. I thought about getting rid of the refugium also but decided to keep it for pods and such. I did read somewhere that the Bio pellets worked well in combination with a fuge. Something about how the two went about removing the nitrates, the Bio pellets would bind them together so the Skimmer could remove them and the algae would use them and turn them into nitrogen. I may not of said that right but I think that's how it was. So they really worked well together.

 

[WmTasker]

I had awesome success with sulphur reactor, switched to NP reactor, with an extraordinant amount of media (3x recommended amount) with every flow scenario possible, and my nitrates are creeping up. I am putting the sulphur reactor back online. HTH.

Can you tell us what size aquarium, type of reactor and pump, and what sulfur you are using? Do you have a refugium? What brand of biopellets did you try?

I have not used the Bio pellets so I cannot comment on them. I have been using a sulfur denitrator for a few years and have had great success. I also run a refugium along with it though. I thought about getting rid of the refugium also but decided to keep it for pods and such. I did read somewhere that the Bio pellets worked well in combination with a fuge. Something about how the two went about removing the nitrates, the Bio pellets would bind them together so the Skimmer could remove them and the algae would use them and turn them into nitrogen. I may not of said that right but I think that's how it was. So they really worked well together.

Can you tell us about your aquarium and equipment you use for your reactor?

 

[WmTasker]

Does a sulfur reactor help to remove phosphates? I know the biopellets will help.

 

[luan67]

i dont think the sulfur reactor will remove phosphates. i use to have a huge nitrate problem (100+) and decided to buy the sulfur media from midwest ?. i then converted an old clacium reactor to a sulfur reactor. It has been a blessings for me. Over a course of a couple of months (240G tank), it brought my nitrate down to <5ppm. Now that I have a 70G, the same reactor is keeping my nitrate to be non detectable. I am curious about the pellets but why change something out that works? My phosphates level is keep in check with water change and GFO for now.

 

[ari5736]

Can you tell us what size aquarium, type of reactor and pump, and what sulfur you are using? Do you have a refugium? What brand of biopellets did you try?

125g display, 30 gallon sump, 30 gallon fuge, SWC 140S, Caribsea sulphur, both NP and Vertex pellets, running about 3 liters fluided in reactor for a few months.

I am going to put the sulphur reactor back on line to bring my N down and see if the pellets can help with lower N load.

 

[WmTasker]

125g display, 30 gallon sump, 30 gallon fuge, SWC 140S, Caribsea sulphur, both NP and Vertex pellets, running about 3 liters fluided in reactor for a few months.

I am going to put the sulphur reactor back on line to bring my N down and see if the pellets can help with lower N load.

Do you think your system is too large for the biopellets? How well does your pellets tumble?

 

[ari5736]

I don't think it is too large, I would think it is just a function of pellet quantity and flow rate, but what do I know, except that nitrates are actually increasing and I have varied tumble from little movement to "rolling boil". I am going to leave the pellets there in hope one day they start doing their job.

 

[manix man]

Have you not considered a vodka based dosing nitrate filter. Far more controlable then the older sulphur type and basically do the same as bio-pellets. Initial outlay is more than biopellets but up-keep in long term is cheaper as you just use the cheapest vodka you can get you hands on. Where as you need to replace the bio-pellets. Other benefits include the fact the biomass is kept within a container with very slow feed through it so in theory should be safer as it's almost detached from the tank in a way.

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/nfp509p-nitrate-filter-pump

 

[WmTasker]

Have you not considered a vodka based dosing nitrate filter. Far more controlable then the older sulphur type and basically do the same as bio-pellets. Initial outlay is more than biopellets but up-keep in long term is cheaper as you just use the cheapest vodka you can get you hands on. Where as you need to replace the bio-pellets. Other benefits include the fact the biomass is kept within a container with very slow feed through it so in theory should be safer as it's almost detached from the tank in a way.

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/nfp509p-nitrate-filter-pump

I wonder if they have anything like this in the states?

 

[Fay]

I am trying to make up my mind as well between sulphur or biopellets? which is best?

 

[moondoggy4]

states

states

Have you not considered a vodka based dosing nitrate filter. Far more controlable then the older sulphur type and basically do the same as bio-pellets. Initial outlay is more than biopellets but up-keep in long term is cheaper as you just use the cheapest vodka you can get you hands on. Where as you need to replace the bio-pellets. Other benefits include the fact the biomass is kept within a container with very slow feed through it so in theory should be safer as it's almost detached from the tank in a way.

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/nfp509p-nitrate-filter-pump

Yes you can buy it in the states, I have this model and the two peri pumps: a 1 ml/min and the 32 ml/min the 32 gave me nothing but problems I sent it back with no resolution. The 1 ml works good but so does a BRS for half the money. Second the Aquabee pump is a PITA. If you overdose the Vodka you will get a bacterial blum something like white snot that is very difficult to get rid off , and yes I had it feed into my skimmer intake. I have converted it to a sulphur based unit and been running it for 2 weeks and the Aquabee pump has failed so running it without one as of now but my nitrates have fallen to 4 ppm first time in a long time this is a 120 mix reef and I feed heavy. One of the tricks to these is long turn consistent running and with the original out lay of a lot of money that is exactly what i did not get.

 

[moondoggy4]

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/PA-GEO-NR418.html look into this

 

[Fay]

Thanks for the prompt reply I am in a bit of a panic I have paid for biopellets and reactor for my 2000ltr sps tank over stocked. I am on zeovit at the moment and it is not cutting if for no3 or po4.
Now I have been told that sulphur is best by some people :debi:
I have asked the shop what they think here is the reply

Hello Fay,

For us we would stick with the BR200 its primarily focuses on the source of Media you will choose and will target what you decide to control. The interior media storage is much larger than the Korallin unit and the Bubble blaster pump will circulate water through your unit and tank much faster. We have used them in the past and they work great. You will notice fast results especially with the media you have chosen its one of he best on the market.

Just don't want to spend a heap of money sending to NZ, the shop sells both just hoping for some more opinions to get this right

 

[moondoggy4]

Bubble Blaster are good pumps having a larger volume is also a good thing, not sure exactly how large a 2000 liter tank. Who makes the BR reactor? How much are they? I have a Korallin unit and it has a larger volume than the Deltic model and a better circulating pump.

 

[Fay]

BR 200 is Super Reef Octopus Biopellet Reactor the Korallin unit is what I would go for if I went for sulphur