Vertex Pro Bio Pellets

[fullmonti]

I'd like to be sure I understand what the bio pellets in a reactor are doing. It's my understanding that the pellets slowly dissolve & release carbon, which bacteria eat & multiply. Is this correct? If so what is the difference between that & regular dosing of a carbon source?
Jim

 

[Rickyrooz1]

bmwaaron, any updates?

 

[samwrang]

I've got two small reactors currently hooked up to Maxijet 1200s. Is there any reason I couldn't hook them directly up to my overflow plumbing and force all water from the tank through them? I should have enough flow to keep the pellets tumbling. Seems like an obvious setup unless I am missing something.

 

[MaLi]

I've got two small reactors currently hooked up to Maxijet 1200s. Is there any reason I couldn't hook them directly up to my overflow plumbing and force all water from the tank through them? I should have enough flow to keep the pellets tumbling. Seems like an obvious setup unless I am missing something.

Sam,

you don't wanna do that. The pellets have the tendency to stick together once they have enough bacteria on them so you will probably end up clogging your return while your pump will deliver all the available water in you sump. Guess where the excess will go ... check your carpet !

cheers,
MaLi

 

[samwrang]

Easy risk to negate with plumbing. (Great idea)

Any other reason?

 

[DJREEF]

I'd like to be sure I understand what the bio pellets in a reactor are doing. It's my understanding that the pellets slowly dissolve & release carbon, which bacteria eat & multiply. Is this correct? If so what is the difference between that & regular dosing of a carbon source?
Jim

Actually, the bacteria colonize the BP and slowly consume it. They incorporate the C source and also pull PO4 and NO3 from the bulk water as they multiply. They then, as a result of their mass, slough off of the pellets and are exported via the skimmer.


DJ

 

[fullmonti]

OK thanks

 

[sfexplicit]

I'm having hard time getting my pellets to tumble without some clumping. They're in a NextReef MR1 reactor run by a Maxijet 1200. About 750ml of pellets. Thinking about getting a Vertex U15 or the NextReef SMR1. Or getting a bigger pump. Any suggestions on a pump or a reactor?

 

[DJREEF]

I'm having hard time getting my pellets to tumble without some clumping. They're in a NextReef MR1 reactor run by a Maxijet 1200. About 750ml of pellets. Thinking about getting a Vertex U15 or the NextReef SMR1. Or getting a bigger pump. Any suggestions on a pump or a reactor?

Actually, I don't think the clumping is really that big a deal, unless it's extreme enough to block flow through the reactor. After a certain point, once the system reaches equilibrium the bacterial masses self limit and reduce in number causing the pellets to break apart on their own. This can take a few months depending upon how far you have to go to reach that stasis point.

DJ

 

[Mirugai]

I added more pellets and dosed more mb7 to the point when the tank started to get cloudy. It cleared in 4 days, all cynos are gone, no algae on the glass.
I guess i was wrong, this thing seems to work.

 

[Mirugai]

Does anybody have stringing stuff growing allover the DT? The picture shows green color strings, but its actually white. Are these bacteria?

 

[DJREEF]

Looks like diatoms.

DJ

 

[bertoni]

I didn't think that diatoms formed strings like that. The threads are probably a mix of organisms, but if they're actually white, they're likely bacteria of some sort.

 

[sfexplicit]

Hard to tell from the pic. With traditional vodka dosing, from what I understand, white stringy stuff may be too much vodka(carbon source).

 

[DJREEF]

I didn't think that diatoms formed strings like that. The threads are probably a mix of organisms, but if they're actually white, they're likely bacteria of some sort.

You're right Jon. I brain farted. I meant to say dinoflagellates. We're right in the middle of reflooring to two guest bedrooms and I'm temporarily off my game.

DJ

 

[bertoni]

I agree that dinoflagellates are quite possible. I have similar brain malfunctions all too frequently.

 

[Mirugai]

Let me try again

 

[bertoni]

If the filaments break up easily with a light touch, they're likely microbes of some sort, and I'd guess that they're bacteria. A microscope would help a lot, in this case, but getting one would be overkill.

 

[adamPL]

I just bought 1000ml, and start 2 days a go. Now cloudy water day one! Any updates guys??

 

[RyanAlan]

Take about 1/2 of the pellets out and then add them back in about 1 week.