NpX-Bio Beads! New O.C. Product launch!

[Bzar]

@DiverDude: I've run mine both up and down stream from the skimmer, and no real difference for me. I did find an increase in polyp extention with the reactor outlet downstream from the skimmer inlet...pehaps the corals like using some of the mulm (nutrient rich bacteria) for food.

There are others on various forums that don't run the reactor outlet upstream from the skimmer....no deadly results that I've read.

The reason for that suggestion towards putting the reactor outlet near the skimmer inlet (or upstream) is so the skimmer has a greater chance to skim any of the nutrient rich bacteria out asap, and to ensure re-oxygenation (is that even a word? it's late of the water in a probiotic system....again doesn't seem to really matter IME and from what I read. Perhaps if you have a very inefficient skimmer and/or very low through sump GPH...in that case a probiotic system of any kind could cause some harm to the system in terms of bacteria build up, ph problems, and low O2 levels. If you compare it to some of the liquid carbon dosing systems (like vodka carbon dosing) the reality is that there's no way to contain that systems nutrient rich bacteria into an "upsteam" situation...what's important is your GPH through the sump/skimmer area, because it's processing of the water column through the cleaning system (skimmer) that counts. General rule is about 10x an hour through the sump, and a skimmer that`s got good reviews....and imo rated 2x more than your tank :P

If you try with the reactor outlet downstream from the skimmer, and are worried about how it'll work out, then just keep an eye out for bacteria strings (white hair looking strings floating from the rocks, glass, substrate, powerheads, etc.) low PH, and/or fish heavy breathing. If you notice that stuff happening you may want to try with the reactor outlet "upstream" from the skimmer or think about getting a new skimmer or more GPH through the sump.

There can also be initial challenges with biopellets in systems that have heavy amounts of unchecked nutrients....if your tank is some what mature and may have high amounts of nutrients, then it's adviced to add the pellets slowly. That way you wont shock the system with a fast and furious outbreak of nutrient eating/rich bacteria. Say you need 1000ml...best to add 100 to 200ml each week to let the system develop safely.

It's late, I'm tired, hope that makes sense and helps .... is it wrong that I love nutrient exporting so much?