Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board  

Go Back   Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board > General > Reef

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-06-2013, 07:09 PM
Treebeard Treebeard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Strathmore, Alberta
Posts: 665
Treebeard is on a distinguished road
Default Bio Pellets

I have decided to try using bio-pellets and buy a Cad Lights Conic Bio-Reactor (on sale at J & L) and wondering what kind of bio-pellets to buy for it. Is one brand better than another?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-06-2013, 08:00 PM
Bblinks's Avatar
Bblinks Bblinks is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Coquitlam B.C.
Posts: 3,033
Bblinks is on a distinguished road
Default

I use vertex since they are 100% PHA bio-degradable polymer and they are easily accessible from most LFS. When you first start the system, go slow and use about half the recomanded doage. I like to add some zeostart or microbacter 7 to boost it but its not a necessity.
__________________
Though a tree grow ever so high, the falling leaves return to the root.

300DD - 140DD



TOTM Fall 2013
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-06-2013, 08:02 PM
asylumdown's Avatar
asylumdown asylumdown is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,806
asylumdown is on a distinguished road
Default

from what I understand they're all pretty much the same polymer
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-06-2013, 09:12 PM
Baldy's Avatar
Baldy Baldy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Camrose, AB
Posts: 293
Baldy is on a distinguished road
Default

I no longer use biopellets due to a bad experience with them. I was using npx bioplastics. I wouldnt recommend them.
__________________
the lurker formerly known as THENEWGUY

75g reef w/ 20g sump, 100lbs LR, Tunze 9006 skimmer, 3 part dosing, DIY 66 LED fixture, Reefleeper Lite
LED build here: http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/29498...h-mount-build/
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-06-2013, 11:17 PM
waynemah's Avatar
waynemah waynemah is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 376
waynemah is on a distinguished road
Default

I found they did a great job with nitrates but lacked when pulling out phosphates. Keep them tumbling and they should work well, also start with a small amount and work your way up. If they clump at all, they aren't tumbling enough.

As far as the brand, I believe the vertex ones are a good choice!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-06-2013, 11:21 PM
viperfish's Avatar
viperfish viperfish is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dawson Creek
Posts: 684
viperfish is on a distinguished road
Default

I swear by them. I am using the Vertex pellets on both of my tanks. If you know someone running them, get a couple of scoops of mature pellets to add to your new ones, it will speed up the seeding process.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-06-2013, 11:24 PM
mikepclo's Avatar
mikepclo mikepclo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 131
mikepclo is on a distinguished road
Default

I used Vertex pellets with MB7 & Zeobak to jump start it with no issues. I believe vertex recommends it to prevent Cyano bloom which is one of the issues people have with BP. As Bblinks mentioned, slow and less is the key to prevent any problems.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-06-2013, 11:38 PM
Treebeard Treebeard is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Strathmore, Alberta
Posts: 665
Treebeard is on a distinguished road
Default

Thanks for the tips!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-07-2013, 03:14 AM
e46er e46er is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Maple Ridge
Posts: 819
e46er is on a distinguished road
Default

I used to use vertex pellets for a fe years.
Then my sump cracked and since my reactors were off a manifold from my return pump they also got shut off.

My tank has never looked better. 3 months later i got the new sump up and running and just added carbon and GFO tank looks much better.
In the end Im happier without pellets and i had them tumbling maybe some MB7 along with them might have helped but I would be hard pressed to run them again
__________________
250G DD LED SPS R.I.P.
180G LED SPS
80"x36". 300G custom build

Owner of Mountain Ridge Heating and Gas
Class A gas fitter, HVAC
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-07-2013, 03:46 AM
reefermadness's Avatar
reefermadness reefermadness is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Woodstock, ONTARIO
Posts: 849
reefermadness is on a distinguished road
Default

The key to pellets is 1 - never use them as a problem solver ie. add them to a tank that is high in nitrate and phosphate. This can cause bacteria blooms and other problems. They are best to add to a tank that is somewhat low in NO3 and PO4 and will help to keep these low 2 - FEEEED....now that you have a way to keep NO3 and PO4 low you need to feed the tank more....maybe even get more fish.

ALso like mentioned you may find you still need to run a small amount of GFO.

The nicest tanks Ive seen have had plenty of fish, feed lots and yet still have clean water...biopellets helps you do this.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 10:12 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.