NPX Bio- pellets or DSB/ Fuge?

[cnaegler]

Hello everyone!
I'm in the process of setting up a 300 gallon SPS dominated tank in my new place and i've been contemplating on whether i want to try these new NPX Bio-pellets or stick to the conventional DSB/ Fuge setup that i've been using on my other tanks. I've tried ZEO in the past but it was just too aggravating and costly for me. I still have the ZEO reactor to put the Bio-pellets in so... I just wanted to get some opinions and pros / cons of these systems.
It seems the DSB/ Fuge would be the most maintenance-free but the Bio- pellets seem to be as well but there's the cost factor involved. We're talking approx. 1500ml of pellets at $80.00 per 1000ml. every 3-6 months. But i like the idea of an easy ULNS.
Anyways, i would love everyones ideas/ comments on this! I also apologize if this isn't the correct forum to post this in but my tank will be SPS dominated so i figured the SPS experts on here could provide some insight. Thanks for any replies!

 

[dvanacker]

Sand costs money as well.

You wont be replacing all the pellets every 3-6months either.

My vote is pellets.

 

[reef canada]

I run both and feed my fuge off of the reactor. I am not sure your zeo reactor will work. As the pellets need to be in constant motion. I run half of the pellets other's run and I seem to have great results from this combo. When I first added the pellets(or add more) I got a little die off from my cheato but it came back fast. The by-product from the pellets seems to be enought food for all of the critters in my fuge. I hope this helps.

 

[cnaegler]

Hmmmm... i've been researching these all day and have heard positive results. Thanks dvanacker and reef canada for your input! I think i may try these with a fuge since i wanna keep a place for copepods, amphipods, etc.

 

[Radioheadx14]

I'm using vertex pro-bio pellets and they are working out well for my 37g

 

[NaClCrocodile]

I'm curious, do you run them in combination with a large skimmer as well (like it says to) or do you just run it off the fuge?

 

[reef canada]

I still run a big skimmer, but the only flow I have going into my fuge is from my reactor. The fuge flows into the sump where the skimmer sits. It all seems to work well, for me any ways. both my sps and softie tank run this way.

 

[kensai]

I still run a big skimmer, but the only flow I have going into my fuge is from my reactor. The fuge flows into the sump where the skimmer sits. It all seems to work well, for me any ways. both my sps and softie tank run this way.

Do you also keep a DSB or just cheato in the fuge?

 

[smalltime]

Zeovit reactors would be the ideal place to keep biopellets. Pump the pellets like you would stones to shed bacteria into the water.

 

[msp307]

Bio pellets

Bio pellets

You must run a skimmer with these as they will set off hydrogen sulfide and it will eat up all your o2 and your inhabitants will die or suffocate.

 

[mos90]

You must run a skimmer with these as they will set off hydrogen sulfide and it will eat up all your o2 and your inhabitants will die or suffocate.

this is true. i would say u need a skimmer rated for 2 times the volume of your tank. your ph will reflect if your o2 is low. i added an airstone to my sump to help disipate co2.

im running 100ml of npx pellets on my 35g. they have only been on for about 5 weeks. i also dump the return in the fuge area. my skimmer is an aquac remora and my return to the tank dumps out right my the skimmer pump.

my sand bed in the fuge is only 1"

i have noticed that i still need to run gfo. maybe after the pellets fully kick in i wont have to. but my tank is overstocked for sure.