O.C.'s Pellet questions and answers!

[DiverDude]

So in a nutshell, a little bit of a lot of different types of bacteria is what we want. A lot of a single strain is not (probably runs amok !).

I hope to have pellets online tonight so we'll see how it goes.

[Werbo]

If it was me I'd start dosing a bacteria source first for 2-4 weeks before starting the pellets in a fluidized reactor. I use Brightwells Microbacter 7 (its cheapest) but Prodibio biodigest or whatever Zeo calls their bacteria culture. Build a diverse bacteria population first and then begin exporting it via carbon dosing/protein skimming.

[DiverDude]

Interesting thought. I was planning on running about 1/10 of a bag (so ~100ml) of pellets to start. After a few weeks, I was going to double it and run with a total of 200-250 ml.

The thought was to not shock the system too much. On top of that, I've just torn the tank apart to add the sump and re-aquascape so it's almost 100% new water and freshly cleaned sand so I'm a little low on bacteria right now.

Maybe I need to rethink this.

[loveless]

Well I have egg on my face. I took a water sample into a LFS yesterday and guess what. Thats right no Nitrates and no Phos either. Looks like that new test kit I bought was faulty as well as my old one. Now off to buy a new test kit. Hopefully its my tests that are bad and not the LFS'.

Cam

[ILIKECOUGARS]

Originally Posted by loveless

Well I have egg on my face. I took a water sample into a LFS yesterday and guess what. Thats right no Nitrates and no Phos either. Looks like that new test kit I bought was faulty as well as my old one. Now off to buy a new test kit. Hopefully its my tests that are bad and not the LFS'.

Cam

Which test kit were you useing, and kind was the LFS useing? the reason I am asking, is that I am having about the same reading as you were for nitrate. I am running 1L np pellets with a tlf 550 for over 11 weeks, I am useing a Salifert test kit.

[loveless]

Originally Posted by ILIKECOUGARS

Which test kit were you useing, and kind was the LFS useing? the reason I am asking, is that I am having about the same reading as you were for nitrate. I am running 1L np pellets with a tlf 550 for over 11 weeks, I am useing a Salifert test kit.

I was originally using Salifert as well which was an old test kit. then I bought a Red Sea test kit. Both showed fairly close to the same readings. I think that the lfs was using a hagen? not entirely too sure.

[lastlight]

If you don't have a very high powered skimmer (Tunze Nano) will the pellets have any negative effects? Doesn't this mulm need to be skimmed out quickly?