Questions about Bio-pellets

[maron6977]

Since we're on the topic of bio pellets - how much should be in the reactor ?
Go by manufacture suggested amount or just keep testing nitrates ?

[Reef Pilot]

I only fill mine about once a year or longer. I pour in as much as the reactor can tumble easily, up to 1000 ml. The pellets gradually gets consumed until there is only a small amount left tumbling at the bottom. I check nitrates about once a month, and they are always zero.

Having said that, when you first start out, you want to go slow, maybe 2 - 300 ml to start and gradually build it up as the bio pellets start to work. That can take from several weeks to a couple months. This is when you should check nitrates more frequently and they should slowly come down to zero.

I decommissioned my bio pellet reactor a couple years ago, just to see what would happen. It took a couple months for the nitrates to gradually build up again. Then it took a couple months after I reinstalled it to get my nitrates back to zero. And my SPS weren't happy about that either.

[maron6977]

Thanks Walter .
Can I put too much in reactor ? As long as tumbling - good to go ?

[Myka]

You can post the link to the video.

I have a Reef Dynamics biopellet reactor too. I also much prefer being able to control the effluent.

Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

[swimfan]

Not sure why but my iPad won't let me add a link, but it's lafishguy episode 107 and there is 2 parts. Definitely swayed my vote for a recirculating reactor. Good to hear the biochurn is another option, because Reef Dynamics is no longer in business, and his reactors are becoming hard to find. another reason I like Biopellets as a form of carbon dosing is I have my effluent line "T"ed into my skimmer intake, so hopefully some of it is removed through skimming, with other forms of carbon dosing I feel as though some of the bacteria might not be consumed by the corals, settle somewhere in the tank and reintroduce the nutrients. That being said I can't be sure how much of that bacteria is skimmed out. I can say my skimmer definitely has increased in skimate production two weeks after starting up the reactor.

[Aquattro]

Im using a modified TLF reactor, half full, no issues. Works great, cost 10 bucks.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by swimfan

Not sure why but my iPad won't let me add a link, but it's lafishguy episode 107 and there is 2 parts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UtgjkEg8EY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsR9HFVpijE

[maron6977]

Great info , thanks !