- Location
- poughquag, ny
OK i see alot of threads in regards to the use of bio-pellets. So i figured i would post my thoughts, opinions and usage of them, This is a imo thread, as i am not a scientist, but going from what i have seen from my usage, I am by no means a expert in chemistry either. OK now that's out of the way.
I have been using the pellets for 8 months or so now, I started with the vertex brand and got 500 ml of the pellets as well as the vertex uf-15 reactor. I never really had phosphate issue's or nitrate issue's. My reason for wanting to use them was i use to vodka dose and would miss a day here and there, plus wanting to cut out the use of phosban and carbon. Since day one when i started i stopped using phosban and carbon. I never got the bacterial bloom. { OK i did once when i started mixing vinegar with my kalkwasser and it caused a bloom from too much of a carbon source being dosed into the tank }. My tank water stays crystal clear and no algae issue's, i only need to clean my glass once a week or so.
In the amount thats recommended for usage is where my opinion comes in. i don't believe x amount for x amount of water volume is needed. i think more so the amount is determined by the amount of phos and trates you have. My reasoning for this is, your only putting so much flow through this reactor so tank size wouldn't matter in the amount of pellets used, but the levels your trying to reduce would matter, with only x amount of pellets the phos and trates will only be consumed at x rate. so for someone with a higher levels you might need more pellets, but do believe in only starting with the 500ml and raise the amount over a few weeks. don't think you would ever need to go beyond the 1000ml's.
OK how are they suppose to tumble and what flow rate ? well i use a mj1200 to feed my reactor, also had it feed off my return pump manifold before as well. so if i had to guess how much flow i am using would be around 200 gph, mj1200 is dialed back as well. Being able to get all the pellets to tumble is from what i have seen the best use of them as it lets the pellets grind and knock off the bacteria which the grind also helps release the carbon source. i have tried a really heavy tumble and a slow complete tumble and cant say that either or worked better. After 8 months i am now about halfway through my initial 500ml, a recent check read 0 trates with salifert, and .003 phosphates with hanna meter. i will add another 250 ml in a month or so.
Where to have the outlet from the pellets go ? I have the outlet right next to my skimmer pump intake, or did till i went with a recirc skimmer, but the feed for my skimmer is off my return manifold, so half the water goes to tank and the other half is feed into my skimmer. I cant say my skimmer produces any better or worse since using them.
I do run a UV on my system and it is plumbed into my return, so this could either be a benefit factor or not, don't know was using it before i started the pellets. I don't run filter socks, { don't have room } and they clogged way to fast for me. I clean my sump every few months anyways. I am running ruble rock in the baffles in my sump as well, which i think serve as more filtration.
I do have allot of fish in my tank and do feed 3 cubes of frozen daily and don't rinse it, I do drain all the liquid though, as well as every other day i feed flake or pellets along with the frozen.
I do and have always ran very efficient skimmers that are work horse's.
I do have a sps dominated tank, as well as some zoa's and a few lps, none of my corals have had issue's since i started using the pellets, and matter of fact my lps have their tentacles out most of the time.
I see alot of people quickly point to the pellets if they are having issue's and have yet had anyone who is properly using them really prove that the pellets was the issue. Can they cause issue's ? Yes they can just like any other products. I have never had a issue with alk from the usage of the pellets, No rtn, no nothing. well except awesome growth and colors on my corals
So my over all opinion on them ? I absolutely love them, Love not having to change out carbon and phosban, nor having to buy it. this has saved me $ since the use, My initial investment has been paid for with not having to buy the other items. Do i suggest for you to use them ? NO ! The one thing i have found over the years is people want to know but don't want to do. meaning i can tell someone exactly how i did what ever and they will do it slightly different then not have same results and get mad. So therefor i never really recommend using any products off my advice lol unless it is a skimmer.
Please if adding to the thread, no bashers, or that it is snake oil ect. But would like to hear your theory or acclomplishments with it, or what you think might caused a problem, BTW this isnt a over night remedy and wont cure all tanks of phos or trates, who knows your rock or sand might be saturated and not allowing the pellets to get you where you want them to get you
I have been using the pellets for 8 months or so now, I started with the vertex brand and got 500 ml of the pellets as well as the vertex uf-15 reactor. I never really had phosphate issue's or nitrate issue's. My reason for wanting to use them was i use to vodka dose and would miss a day here and there, plus wanting to cut out the use of phosban and carbon. Since day one when i started i stopped using phosban and carbon. I never got the bacterial bloom. { OK i did once when i started mixing vinegar with my kalkwasser and it caused a bloom from too much of a carbon source being dosed into the tank }. My tank water stays crystal clear and no algae issue's, i only need to clean my glass once a week or so.
In the amount thats recommended for usage is where my opinion comes in. i don't believe x amount for x amount of water volume is needed. i think more so the amount is determined by the amount of phos and trates you have. My reasoning for this is, your only putting so much flow through this reactor so tank size wouldn't matter in the amount of pellets used, but the levels your trying to reduce would matter, with only x amount of pellets the phos and trates will only be consumed at x rate. so for someone with a higher levels you might need more pellets, but do believe in only starting with the 500ml and raise the amount over a few weeks. don't think you would ever need to go beyond the 1000ml's.
OK how are they suppose to tumble and what flow rate ? well i use a mj1200 to feed my reactor, also had it feed off my return pump manifold before as well. so if i had to guess how much flow i am using would be around 200 gph, mj1200 is dialed back as well. Being able to get all the pellets to tumble is from what i have seen the best use of them as it lets the pellets grind and knock off the bacteria which the grind also helps release the carbon source. i have tried a really heavy tumble and a slow complete tumble and cant say that either or worked better. After 8 months i am now about halfway through my initial 500ml, a recent check read 0 trates with salifert, and .003 phosphates with hanna meter. i will add another 250 ml in a month or so.
Where to have the outlet from the pellets go ? I have the outlet right next to my skimmer pump intake, or did till i went with a recirc skimmer, but the feed for my skimmer is off my return manifold, so half the water goes to tank and the other half is feed into my skimmer. I cant say my skimmer produces any better or worse since using them.
I do run a UV on my system and it is plumbed into my return, so this could either be a benefit factor or not, don't know was using it before i started the pellets. I don't run filter socks, { don't have room } and they clogged way to fast for me. I clean my sump every few months anyways. I am running ruble rock in the baffles in my sump as well, which i think serve as more filtration.
I do have allot of fish in my tank and do feed 3 cubes of frozen daily and don't rinse it, I do drain all the liquid though, as well as every other day i feed flake or pellets along with the frozen.
I do and have always ran very efficient skimmers that are work horse's.
I do have a sps dominated tank, as well as some zoa's and a few lps, none of my corals have had issue's since i started using the pellets, and matter of fact my lps have their tentacles out most of the time.
I see alot of people quickly point to the pellets if they are having issue's and have yet had anyone who is properly using them really prove that the pellets was the issue. Can they cause issue's ? Yes they can just like any other products. I have never had a issue with alk from the usage of the pellets, No rtn, no nothing. well except awesome growth and colors on my corals
So my over all opinion on them ? I absolutely love them, Love not having to change out carbon and phosban, nor having to buy it. this has saved me $ since the use, My initial investment has been paid for with not having to buy the other items. Do i suggest for you to use them ? NO ! The one thing i have found over the years is people want to know but don't want to do. meaning i can tell someone exactly how i did what ever and they will do it slightly different then not have same results and get mad. So therefor i never really recommend using any products off my advice lol unless it is a skimmer.
Please if adding to the thread, no bashers, or that it is snake oil ect. But would like to hear your theory or acclomplishments with it, or what you think might caused a problem, BTW this isnt a over night remedy and wont cure all tanks of phos or trates, who knows your rock or sand might be saturated and not allowing the pellets to get you where you want them to get you
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