Vertex Pro Bio Pellets

I just put the pellets online tonight with my BRS reactor. My total system volume is 70 gallons, so I used about 250ml of the pellets. From what I understand, the recommended flow rate is anywhere from 100 - 250 gph using a fluidized media reactor per 500ml of the pellets. The manufacturer also says that you can use the pellets passively in a media bag in good flow. So if you're using a MJ-1200 like I am, you should be able to turn the flow down by half and still be in the recommended range. I did turn my flow down after reading what some of you guys have experienced. I will keep you posted as time goes by as to how my system reacts to the pellets.

BTW, I don't expect a lot of skimmate due to my already low nutrients.
 
Toadally said:
I just put the pellets online tonight with my BRS reactor. My total system volume is 70 gallons, so I used about 250ml of the pellets. From what I understand, the recommended flow rate is anywhere from 100 - 250 gph using a fluidized media reactor per 500ml of the pellets. The manufacturer also says that you can use the pellets passively in a media bag in good flow. So if you're using a MJ-1200 like I am, you should be able to turn the flow down by half and still be in the recommended range. I did turn my flow down after reading what some of you guys have experienced. I will keep you posted as time goes by as to how my system reacts to the pellets.

BTW, I don't expect a lot of skimmate due to my already low nutrients.
Click to expand...

The amount of skimmate you will see has nothing to do with current nutrient levels. You are providing the bacteria a food source in the pellets and they are creating a film that will eventually hit the water column and need to be skimmed out. My skimmer didn't go nuts until day 3 and when it did it was quite an event. Its still going crazy on day 7.
 
Bennytheblenny said:
The amount of skimmate you will see has nothing to do with current nutrient levels. You are providing the bacteria a food source in the pellets and they are creating a film that will eventually hit the water column and need to be skimmed out. My skimmer didn't go nuts until day 3 and when it did it was quite an event. Its still going crazy on day 7.
Click to expand...

I'm sure that it will pick up somewhat, but I will be surprised if it goes crazy. I've been dosing Zeovit for quite some time, so I actually do have an abundance of bacteria already established in the system that were being fed w/ a carbon source.
 
Toadally said:
I'm sure that it will pick up somewhat, but I will be surprised if it goes crazy. I've been dosing Zeovit for quite some time, so I actually do have an abundance of bacteria already established in the system that were being fed w/ a carbon source.
Click to expand...

I was also dosing Zeobak and had used Zeovit and my skimmer went crazy. Im not really sure what the catalyst for the crazy skimmer and bac bloom is but I got both. My tank is great right now though and have had no issues since. My P04 and Nitrate is 0 and I have taken my GFO offline.
 
hey all,

i have a 150 that is running and established.

i will be migrating to a 350 in about 6 or so weeks..

is there any issue starting with my current tank and moving it over later once i move things over?

what is ideal?

also do i need to dose any starting bacteria to help the system kick in? what product?
 
Day 4 and everything seems to be going ok. I have stepped up the addition of MB7 to 15ml per day and turning the skimmer off for 4 hours. I will do this for two weeks per the instructions on MB7 for seeding new or high to medium nutrient tanks. If things change for the worse I'll back off or stop dosing.
 
After about 20 days I have to say my tank is looking great. All parameters are stable and my Corals have allot of new growth. The skimmer has stabilized but is still pulling out allot of junk. I have moved the flow up in the reactor since the pellets were starting to clump a little.
Anyone else see there pellets clumping?
 
Aaron,
I am glad you have a great success with pellets. i cant really say this about my tank:(
Po4 went up a bit, but NO3 is still very low on Elos test kit. I had to take out filter sock since it was getting clogged everyother day , before i change them every 4 days.
Do you use filter sock in you system?

mike
 
MSHUR said:
Aaron,

Do you use filter sock in you system?

mike
Click to expand...

I dont use a filter sock anymore but I do use filter floss. I hated cleaning out the socks all the time so I switched to floss. It does clog up faster also but it hasnt been a big issue.
 
I have modified the BRS reactor with screen. I noticed a reduction in flow so went ahead and took the sponges out. Also, make sure you place the outlet from the pellets near the intake of your skimmer. I noticed a decrease in my PH and when the outlet was placed in front of the skimmer I could actually see it climb.
 
I hate to give up on filter sock, love the way it polish the water. so far i am not really happy with results . ORP drop from 400 to 150, maybe i have to run pellets a little longer to see better results
 
I've never used a filter sock. But I do use the filter sponge that came with my ADHI sump. My water stays crystal clear. I think I would continue using the pellets a little longer. jmo
 
bmwaaron said:
After about 20 days I have to say my tank is looking great. All parameters are stable and my Corals have allot of new growth. The skimmer has stabilized but is still pulling out allot of junk. I have moved the flow up in the reactor since the pellets were starting to clump a little.
Anyone else see there pellets clumping?
Click to expand...

I have the pellets clumping my my PM reactor. Also I am changing my filter socks every other day. Nitrates are 0 on the Salifert kit.
 
My Vertex Pro-Bio Pellets arrived today. I am holding off until Monday to start, since I am away this weekend, and want to document the progress.
 
jpatrician said:
My Vertex Pro-Bio Pellets arrived today. I am holding off until Monday to start, since I am away this weekend, and want to document the progress.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

How much are you going to start with? I started with 250ml..... I will add more after the first month depending on the results. I still have some cotton algae on the overflow and some of my rock. I can't tell if it's dieing off yet.

Keep us posted!
 
Picked up 500ml of these magic beans on tuesday. I'm running them in a reactor thats T's off my return pump. Also I have been vodka dosing for the past 9 months and using MB7 and Prodibo as well over that time. Tank has always been real clean so i'm hoping I dont get a baterial bloom from this. PO4 prior was .05, and nitrate's were 0. So far my skimmer has not gone nuts from these pellets. I'm on day 3 and will post results in a week or two.
 
I've been rinning them for over a month now and first noticeable difference is a drop in PH after 72 hrs of running them.
As far as the typical bacteria bloom all is well and the pellets originally started at hlaf the recomended dose / now at full.

So far so good no signs of any issues. My take start slow and go slow.
 
i have been running these 6 days.

90g tank, 500ml in a TLF 150 reactor with a light tumble...

so far no cloudiness, actually water kinda looks clearer a little.

skimmer has picked up production and smell, but nothing amazing like yet.

GHA is thinning out and whitening up already?!
 
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