What's the consensus on Biopellets???
- Thread starter Bolo Tran
- Start date
cherubfish pair
New member
For those who test religously were you comfortable to cut back on testing with prolonged pellet use? Also, is there any escape of bacteria from skimmer output that could feed corals?
Bolo Tran
New member
I actually just received the Seaside Aquatics cs5.5 that you recommended just today .
my tank is about a year old
Bolo Tran
New member
Seems like more unsuccessful experiences than successful experiences to me. When I first started reading into this and asking around I was told it was a pretty foolproof system and it was pretty much set it and forget it and just let it do its magic. Now I'm reading a lot of warnings that it can potentially crash your tank so it seems like such a huge gamble.
I'd really like to give BP a shot but my cautious side is telling me to just stick with the old school way with GFO. I'm still all ears with some more suggestions
I'd really like to give BP a shot but my cautious side is telling me to just stick with the old school way with GFO. I'm still all ears with some more suggestions
bio pellets
bio pellets
below is one of the the videos that I watched over and over again to make a up my mind to run my new 90 gallon set up with pellets and GFO in reactors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMx4HOsG3Rc&playnext=1&list=PL4A71DE12A1F200DC&feature=results_main
bio pellets
below is one of the the videos that I watched over and over again to make a up my mind to run my new 90 gallon set up with pellets and GFO in reactors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMx4HOsG3Rc&playnext=1&list=PL4A71DE12A1F200DC&feature=results_main
Alex T.
Active member
Old school for me too. While I've never run biopellets, I did follow the vodka dosing bandwagon. Let's call this what it is: a way for companies to capitalize on people that carbon dose (or want to) by offering a replenish-able product in a pretty package with a nice expensive reactor. While they're great at lowering nitrates (like vodka, vinegar, etc.), phosphate is a whole other story. So, you feed more because you can and your corals need it, all the while exhausting GFO at a faster rate because your tank is NO3 limited and feeding a lot more food. My SPS got pale, many receded, and the tank never flourished. I always felt like I was waiting for the next battle. I got cyanobacteria like clockwork every 6 months or so, and hair algae from all that food I'd been feeding caught up with me when PO4 started leaching from my live rock.
IMHO, it makes much more sense for me to stock my tank within reasonable limits with fish, feed them a good varied diet, run GFO and do a 10% bi-weekly water change. I think back to when I reached 0 nitrates and had to start dosing amino acids and feed more and laugh. Now I realize I could just keep the tank a little more "dirty" and get better results. In my new build I purposely keep nitrates around 5 and phosphates between .03 - .06 on a Hannah meter. I have better SPS colors and growth than I ever had while carbon dosing. I believe there is definitely a benefit to having some measurable nitrate in the water column for good coloration and overall health of a reef system. I think that in the back of our minds we feel we are less of a reefkeeper if we can't reach undetectable levels of nitrate and phosphate. I'm now of the opinion that in low, measurable levels they're exactly what a closed system needs. Running a ULNS keeps corals on the edge, where one slip in parameters, lighting intensity or change in feeding regimen is almost immediately seen in SPS; for better or worse.
I prefer to see slow changes in my corals and monitor accordingly based on what I've learned so far in keeping SPS. For some people that have a well trained eye and more time to fiddle with their systems, biopellets, vodka, vinegar and Zeovit may work. I think the problems we're seeing arise when people new(er) to SPS follow a trend and look for a silver bullet. There isn't one. In anything we do (reefkeeping or not), when things go astray it's time to revisit fundamentals and the basics. Keeping SPS corals happy, colorful and growing long term really has no secrets or magical potions. Stability, patience, time, good husbandry/maintenance are inherent in any SPS system; whether it's ULNS or not. If you're new to SPS, a ULNS should be seen as an advanced level technique to tweak and build upon what you've already learned, but not as a failsafe to help you sidestep nutrient control.
For now, I'll pass on biopellets and all the other ULNS "stuff".
IMHO, it makes much more sense for me to stock my tank within reasonable limits with fish, feed them a good varied diet, run GFO and do a 10% bi-weekly water change. I think back to when I reached 0 nitrates and had to start dosing amino acids and feed more and laugh. Now I realize I could just keep the tank a little more "dirty" and get better results. In my new build I purposely keep nitrates around 5 and phosphates between .03 - .06 on a Hannah meter. I have better SPS colors and growth than I ever had while carbon dosing. I believe there is definitely a benefit to having some measurable nitrate in the water column for good coloration and overall health of a reef system. I think that in the back of our minds we feel we are less of a reefkeeper if we can't reach undetectable levels of nitrate and phosphate. I'm now of the opinion that in low, measurable levels they're exactly what a closed system needs. Running a ULNS keeps corals on the edge, where one slip in parameters, lighting intensity or change in feeding regimen is almost immediately seen in SPS; for better or worse.
I prefer to see slow changes in my corals and monitor accordingly based on what I've learned so far in keeping SPS. For some people that have a well trained eye and more time to fiddle with their systems, biopellets, vodka, vinegar and Zeovit may work. I think the problems we're seeing arise when people new(er) to SPS follow a trend and look for a silver bullet. There isn't one. In anything we do (reefkeeping or not), when things go astray it's time to revisit fundamentals and the basics. Keeping SPS corals happy, colorful and growing long term really has no secrets or magical potions. Stability, patience, time, good husbandry/maintenance are inherent in any SPS system; whether it's ULNS or not. If you're new to SPS, a ULNS should be seen as an advanced level technique to tweak and build upon what you've already learned, but not as a failsafe to help you sidestep nutrient control.
For now, I'll pass on biopellets and all the other ULNS "stuff".
kissman
Active member
You dont have to run it into skimmer but you do want the skimmer to catch as much as it can. I run a Warner Marine MF181 and dont have a way to run it into skimmer. I would run hc gfo, vinegar dosing
Old school is great for the people that want to do that and have the time for it. But like the old stanadard transmission that my father of 73 still uses in his car there are newer and better ways of doing things in this hobby. Just because its new doesn't make it wrong. Experimenting is a good thing, its what drives this hobby to keep bigger and better tanks! Back in the day the trickle filter filled with bio balls was the way to go. Today if you say "can I order bio balls for my sump" you almost get laughed out of the store. (I've seen it happen and it has happened to me). Try the bio pellets! They do work you have to be patient with it and let it do it's thing. Always remember a good tank starts with good water regular maintenance and never ever let your gaurd down with any product. IMO 
ReachTheSky
Active member
Isn't the bacterioplankton that colonizes on the polymers considered coral food? And what's so bad about having to overfeed anyway? Fat, happy inhabitants.
john rochon
New member
I never understood why people must over populate there tanks with fish!
Want a fish tank, then hook up a big canister filter and go for it.
want a reef tank, keep the bioload down,use a skimmer [if you want]
and throw some cheato in your sump. Thats ALL you need to do!
People add this,buy that, constantly tweek things,chase numbers and
on and on. Of course something will go wrong eventually. To much junk
running the tank.
Want a fish tank, then hook up a big canister filter and go for it.
want a reef tank, keep the bioload down,use a skimmer [if you want]
and throw some cheato in your sump. Thats ALL you need to do!
People add this,buy that, constantly tweek things,chase numbers and
on and on. Of course something will go wrong eventually. To much junk
running the tank.
over loading tanks is what most people do in this hobby! we are all good at it and thats what some of this is all about. Over loading! With corals, fish, and the food they need to sustain life in side a closed off enviroment. Just adding a couple of "toys" to the system is not a bad thing it's the experiment of keeping things in our tank that have never been able to grow out side of the "natural habitat". With new products comes new and bigger adventure in this hobby! :fun4:
Voxboy
Premium Member
I am only on my third week so it is too early to tell however.... I have noticed that my water is a lot clearer I am only using about one third of the recommended dose At this point. My nitrate has dropped by .5 Thus far But I am still not expecting too much at this point it is still early in the game. My return line is sip tied to my skimmer intake.... My skimmer is skimming a lot more than it used to
Alex T.
Active member
It's not always the case that new is better. There are scores of "new" technology that have fallen by the wayside. You're using the word "experiment" very loosely. My tank is not an experiment to me. Basic fundamental principles of stocking, feeding, patience and sound husbandry will trump technology every time. Carbon dosing (whether solid or liquid form) works well for some, but for many/most it's a way to take care of a nutrient problem because you're already overstocking, over feeding, or neglecting maintenance.
It's the Indian, not the arrow.
danil
New member
I ran it both ways and tired two reactors BRS and JNS Alpha 2 (same BP). I have not noticed any difference in final result though Alpha is much better reactor.
BP is very effective tool to strip your water from nutrients. So you have to provide your corals with food to balance it out. I tried and failed.
BP is very effective tool to strip your water from nutrients. So you have to provide your corals with food to balance it out. I tried and failed.
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Alex T,
I use the word "experiment" because IMO thats what we are doing agree or not. We are all trying differant things in our tanks because one thing about a reefer is we look at our own tank and sombody elses and go why didn't I think of that or man why can't I have my corals look that way! Guilty here! We look to the guy that is trying new and different ways to keep our tanks healthy! Maybe your not but I am. Dont get me wrong. I agree with you totally about the principles of keeping a great tank whether it be fish only or a reef but I do think there is room for expanding the knowledge of the ways to do it. LED lighting, reactors, chillers, and now coming out is plasma lighting! Where are we going the sky is the limit!!!!
I use the word "experiment" because IMO thats what we are doing agree or not. We are all trying differant things in our tanks because one thing about a reefer is we look at our own tank and sombody elses and go why didn't I think of that or man why can't I have my corals look that way! Guilty here! We look to the guy that is trying new and different ways to keep our tanks healthy! Maybe your not but I am. Dont get me wrong. I agree with you totally about the principles of keeping a great tank whether it be fish only or a reef but I do think there is room for expanding the knowledge of the ways to do it. LED lighting, reactors, chillers, and now coming out is plasma lighting! Where are we going the sky is the limit!!!!
Bolo Tran
New member
Thanks for all the replies. Although I am a bit skeptical on using BP I do want to give it a try in the future as I know changing out Gfo and wondering when it's exhausted can be a chore. I do have 2 additional questions for you guys
1) if I were to do BP is there a particular brand that you recommend and why.
2) please tell me more about these recirculating BP reactors. Are they worth the extra money? I was just planning to run BP in a phosban reactor. Any particular brand that is suitable for my small 50g?
1) if I were to do BP is there a particular brand that you recommend and why.
2) please tell me more about these recirculating BP reactors. Are they worth the extra money? I was just planning to run BP in a phosban reactor. Any particular brand that is suitable for my small 50g?
grcforce327
New member
Non-tumbling BP's FTMFW!:thumbsup:
KCombs
They Call me "RifRaf"
this is one of those argument/threads where sometimes conclusions are made via testimonials but all the pertinent variables are under reported....
I'm using BP AND GFO, my tank is currently spotless/hair algae free
I'm guessing one reason is my 90G is heavily stocked with fish and therefore heavily fed (relatively)
I'm no expert: but IMHO I think we don't rust our eyes enough: if you get a slight dusting of algae every 2-3 days, then IMO the nutrient levels & feeding is probably about right....
again that's a VERY rough guide
..
I'm using BP AND GFO, my tank is currently spotless/hair algae free
I'm guessing one reason is my 90G is heavily stocked with fish and therefore heavily fed (relatively)
I'm no expert: but IMHO I think we don't rust our eyes enough: if you get a slight dusting of algae every 2-3 days, then IMO the nutrient levels & feeding is probably about right....
again that's a VERY rough guide
..
