Hustlers 300G Panzer Project (Up and Running)

Myka · #1 11-01-2011, 01:58 AM

Awesome looking skimmer! Are those black bioballs?

Veng68 · #2 11-01-2011, 01:59 AM

what type of pump are you using on that skimmer?

Cheers,
Vic

Hustler · #3 11-01-2011, 02:09 AM

They are bio pellets of some kind in the reactor.... look like very tiny bio balls but way more in them lol
the skimmer has an air inductor aswell as a 3800 ghp hammerhead inline pump....
Pretty excited to start cutting and fitting here.... My 3" bit came in today too so ill be busy all week.

Hustler · #4 11-01-2011, 03:17 AM

So i think i have the jist of it with the manifold idea....
put a T after my ball valve and union off of my return pump before i hit the split to my dual 1 1/2" returns then ball valve each T i add for each reactor and dial in accordingly....? if thats correct then thats what I shall do

thanks guys
http://melevsreef.com/pics/09/01/ass...g_manifold.jpg

The Grizz · #5 11-01-2011, 04:13 AM

Holy crap!! That's a load of new and shinny toys you got there, I am some what jealous.

Myka · #6 11-01-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hustler

They are bio pellets of some kind in the reactor.... look like very tiny bio balls but way more in them lol

Sorry to put a damper on things, but those are not the bio pellets you hear people talking about on these forums. The ones you have appear to be a biological filter which is something that you don't want on a reef. They are ok on a FOWLR tank, but you would need a way to export nitrate. In a reef tank you want to remove organics before they have a chance to break down into nitrate as nitrate is not good for a reef tank. Biological filters (like bioballs, ceramic rings, etc) are very efficient at breaking down organics very quickly so can become "nitrate factories". Fish aren't as sensitive to nitrate as corals are, so that's ok in a FOWLR tank. In saltwater, the live rock is your biological filter and has the unique ability to DEnitrate via anaerobic bacteria. Nitrifying bacteria are aerobic and denitrifying bacteria are anaerobic. Maybe you could return this item?

The bio pellets that you hear people talking about on the forums are tiny cream colored smooth disks that slowly break down in the water. They reduce nitrate and phosphate. I'm not a fan of these, but that's just my opinion, lots of people are using them with success.

no_bs · #7 11-01-2011, 05:12 PM

Yes, nice looking toys. Good luck with the build. And yes do get rid of that media.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

lots of people are using them with success.

And lots without! To expensive of a bandaid fix. IMO.

Myka · #8 11-02-2011, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no_bs

And lots without! To expensive of a bandaid fix. IMO.

Agreed. I have no use for biopellets...or bioballs (on the reef).

Hustler · #9 11-06-2011, 10:26 PM

Well I got the plumbing mostly done.... went to leak test the return pump side and lo and behold a pinhole leak on 2 fittings...... So Im tearing it all out tomorrow and buing all new stuff as Im stressed to poop epoxies or 2 part puttys will leak down the road for a fix.... it was either to rough a sandpaper or the glue set to soon as the 2" to 1 1/2" reducers have to go in at the same time and hope for the best situation.... Just mad now

Hope tomorrow is a better day

Parker · #10 11-07-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no_bs

And lots without! To expensive of a bandaid fix. IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Agreed. I have no use for biopellets...or bioballs (on the reef).

Every once in awhile I tend to go on a little rant.

I'm not sure how it's "to expensive of a Band-Aid fix" and I wouldn't necessarily call them a Band-Aid appication for all users. For my tank, 300+ total water volume it costs me $80.00 - 120.00 a year to run BP's. How much would it cost me in salt per year to do a 30% weekly or bi-weekly water change to export nitrates? If you're going to do the math I use H2Ocean and a 30% change is going to be roughly 105 gallons.

BP's can be an alternative method of controlling nitrate and not just a Band-Aid solution. There are far too many people out there who feel things should only be done one way and one way only without taking the time to examine how alternative solutions are being applied. I'd ask those same people to throw out their GFO, Carbon as well as their Skimmer because you should be doing water changes and improving your husbandry.

To the people that complain Bio-Pellets crashed thier tank:

Too much Carbon = Crashed Tank
Too Much GFO = Crashed Tank
Over Skimming = Crashed Tank
The list can go on and on

Edit: I should probably edit this post as it's a little more aggressive then it should be, it was early and my head is aching from an ear infection, maybe it was the Advil...