I would like to hear from those that use Bio-Pellets on their SPS tanks with success. I've used them in the past but my SPS were always pale and my tank always had a small amount of cyanobacteria. If you are having success with them, how are you using them? Do you run the output of your reactor into your skimmer and what amount are you using in relation to the size of your tank? Thanks in advance.
SPS and Biopellets
- Thread starter cdmurphy
- Start date
glaukos
New member
Hi darryl,your system is one of the ones that make me,not want to give up on bp.
Cyano never troubled you with bp?
I've had them on for at least 4 months and one month after their installation i got cyano which gradually got worse.
cdmurphy i'm at the same page with you...cyano is a pita!
On the other hand colors are not so pale.
I use only 200 ml when my recommended dosage is at least 1000ml.Tank is 700-750 litres
Also the reactors output is near the skimmer.
I don't consider it though a success,due to cyano problems
Sometimes i consider taking them out too but i don't want to give up on them yet
Cyano never troubled you with bp?
I've had them on for at least 4 months and one month after their installation i got cyano which gradually got worse.
cdmurphy i'm at the same page with you...cyano is a pita!
On the other hand colors are not so pale.
I use only 200 ml when my recommended dosage is at least 1000ml.Tank is 700-750 litres
Also the reactors output is near the skimmer.
I don't consider it though a success,due to cyano problems
Sometimes i consider taking them out too but i don't want to give up on them yet
Hey Guys, thanks for your responses. Darryl your tank looks awesome. Cyano has been a major pita for me. No matter what I do I just can not get rid of it while using the biopellets. I syphon it out week, water changes every couple of weeks and still cyano. I have an external skimmer so I feed that from the output of the skimmer and it makes no difference. I also run GFO to keep PO4 in check. While the biopellets do a great job of taking care of NO3 it has little impact on PO4 in my tank.
Any body else like to share their experience with biopellets?
Any body else like to share their experience with biopellets?
Hey Downbeach, thanks for you input, great looking tank. So you have never suffered from cyano while running biopellets? I use the same Reef Octopus reactor and run it directly into my SRO XP-5000 ext. still no end in sight to the cyano. What amount of pellets do you use in your 180? I've also purchased everything to make a sulphur denitrator but I'm reluctant to set it up due to the issues that may cause.
dvanacker
DID I SOUNDS SMRT??
Cyano can be an issue. Mine wasn't a problem as long as I stirred up the top layer of sand once a week. Right now though Im not stirring the sand and dont have any cyano. I think its less of a problem with older pellets vs. new. IDK. I mean even systems with out biopellets can get plagued with cyano.
dowtish
New member
I have run Ecobak bio pellets for over 3 years on my SPS dominate system. I think there is a balancing act that has to be accomplished for bio pellets to really be effective and not have the so called side effects, i.e. cyano and pale colors.
First off, You need a really capable and effective skimmer. As long as you have one that is highly effective you really dont have to worry whether the output of the reactor is going straight into the skimmer, just have it in the skimmer section of the sump is good enough.
Secondly, you need a good bio load of fish and you need to feed heavily. I truly think this is the best way for bio pellets to be effective for consuming no3 and p04. If you have the right balance of bio-load with the right amount of nutrients, your corals will never be pale in color. We have all been so programmed to starve our tanks in order to avoid nuisance algaes and high nutrients, but with bio pellets you have to do the exact opposite for them to really work.
Proper rate of tumble in the reactor is also key in controlling the side effects. Dosing MB7 or Microbe Lift Special Blend will help with cyano while using bio pellets.
Also, I dont prescribe to having to have super low p04 readings either in order for color and growth. my best rates of growth and best color has been with readings as high 0.10 on my hanna checker.
Here is my most recent thoughts on why folks say that bio pellets work well for n03 but not p04 in the long run. The consumption ratio theory of having to have n03 in order for the bacteria to also consume p04 is where the issue lies. I purposely feed heavy and I purposely dont change out my filter sock for 2 weeks. Whatever junk gets caught in the sock has plenty of time to rot and break down, hence the ratio of consumption is kept in line. Totaly my own theory but it seems to work for me, as I havent had detectable nitrates in years, but i know they have to be there based on my p04 readings always staying low despite my insane amount of feeding.
First off, You need a really capable and effective skimmer. As long as you have one that is highly effective you really dont have to worry whether the output of the reactor is going straight into the skimmer, just have it in the skimmer section of the sump is good enough.
Secondly, you need a good bio load of fish and you need to feed heavily. I truly think this is the best way for bio pellets to be effective for consuming no3 and p04. If you have the right balance of bio-load with the right amount of nutrients, your corals will never be pale in color. We have all been so programmed to starve our tanks in order to avoid nuisance algaes and high nutrients, but with bio pellets you have to do the exact opposite for them to really work.
Proper rate of tumble in the reactor is also key in controlling the side effects. Dosing MB7 or Microbe Lift Special Blend will help with cyano while using bio pellets.
Also, I dont prescribe to having to have super low p04 readings either in order for color and growth. my best rates of growth and best color has been with readings as high 0.10 on my hanna checker.
Here is my most recent thoughts on why folks say that bio pellets work well for n03 but not p04 in the long run. The consumption ratio theory of having to have n03 in order for the bacteria to also consume p04 is where the issue lies. I purposely feed heavy and I purposely dont change out my filter sock for 2 weeks. Whatever junk gets caught in the sock has plenty of time to rot and break down, hence the ratio of consumption is kept in line. Totaly my own theory but it seems to work for me, as I havent had detectable nitrates in years, but i know they have to be there based on my p04 readings always staying low despite my insane amount of feeding.
downbeach
New member
I haven't had a problem with cyano. I don't fill the reactor more than half way when idle, and the pellets don't get more than 2/3 up the cylinder when running. I keep the reactor in a dark area, and plumb it directly into the input of my skimmer, which I run a little on the wet side.
glaukos
New member
+1,we are on the same page cdmurphy buddy!
The only thing that's different is the po4 part.
But then again i had 0 readings and no algea,before i plug the reactor on.
glaukos
New member
Thanks for the reply darryl:wave:
I have them on for 3 months give or take,but i will surelly try stirring sand(ssb) a bit just to see what happens.
Dowtish,great info!
Feeding even heavier is something i will try,starting today.
Downbeach,thanks for the pics!
I run them with the exactly same way and i still get cyano
dowtish
New member
I think I have about 800 ml on my 120 gallon. My tumble rate is slightly faster than what most people would tell you. Tumble is hard to just say or tell how much because of the type of reactor and amount of pellets varies.
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