What is the RIGHT Reactor, Pellet, and Tumble????

[Dtech07]

Many of use a Bio-Pellet Reactor and some are looking into starting one on their system to assist with N03/P04 reduction.
Some questions im asked are:
1)what brand Reactor do i I use?
2) what type of pellets do I use?
3) What's my tumble rate?
Ect.......

I've learned that Bio-Reactors can cause many issue if rushed and not properly maintained so my motto is LOW AND SLOW.

So my lets see what your working with and tumble speeds that's worked for you.
If possible post a small video of your reactors tumble and picture of the type reactor and pellets your using.

I Use:
A Aqualund Recirculating Bio-Pellet for a year and half now.

Bio-Pellets and Bacteria:
Dr Tim's Pearl Bio-Pellets and I seed the pellets with Dr Tim's Waste Away (when changing out pellets or adding pellets only).

Tumble Rate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O0b2H7RjtE&feature=youtu.be

 

[greg 45]

I am using a Reef Dynamics BPR 1000
You can adjust the tumble
You can also adjust the output of the reactor
Also using his brand of pellets

 

[Dtech07]

Thats what i really appreciate about the reactor because you can fully control the tumble and effluence out, which has allowed me dial my N03/P04 down slowly. Thanks Greg 45.
Anyone else??

 

[NYreefNoob]

when i used pellets several years ago i used the vertex uf-15. as well as the vertex pellets, i spent 6 months having and translating convo's with some guys from germany that had been using them, this was 3 or 4 years ago, i never posted much info because people dont listen,

 

[thirty6]

interesting thread, something that will benefit many of us using reactors for first time or just starting out

 

[Dtech07]

when i used pellets several years ago i used the vertex uf-15. as well as the vertex pellets, i spent 6 months having and translating convo's with some guys from germany that had been using them, this was 3 or 4 years ago, i never posted much info because people dont listen,

Very true most don't listen but there's a few pecking and listening.
So why did you stop using them?

 

[Dtech07]

I noticed by go slow in bring my N03/P04 i've never had a outbreak of anything and i took i offline for 3 months as a test and slowly allowed my N03/P04 raise with no short or long term effect.

 

[vio]

#1, u need Good Protein Skimmer.

I never try those (XL) but i use the small size , works great, i will post a pic. of my new reactor.

biopellet that doesn?t need to fluidized (the XL)

http://npbiopellets.dvh-import.com/

 

[mbg75]

I run ecobak. Slow tumble. Effluent directly into my skimmer.

 

[Dtech07]

#1, u need Good Protein Skimmer.

I never try those (XL) but i use the small size , works great, i will post a pic. of my new reactor.

biopellet that doesn?t need to fluidized (the XL)

http://npbiopellets.dvh-import.com/

It would nice to see your setup and how true is that about having a GOOD skimmer. Some whop have had issue had a not very effective skimmer and its a must.

 

[Dtech07]

I run ecobak. Slow tumble. Effluent directly into my skimmer.

The long chamber time (Recirculating) and Effluent control really allows good control of the reactor.

 

[brick-brothers]

I run ecobak. Slow tumble. Effluent directly into my skimmer.

I have a reef octopus skimmer. My question is how do you run the effluent directly to the skimmer?

 

[Dtech07]

I have a plastic middle valve that point is far smaller than the intake on the skimmer and I place it RIGHT at the mouth of the intake some what in it.

 

[brick-brothers]

o ok. I thought it was a custom setup that yall do with the skimmer. :smash:

 

[mbg75]

I slid a PVC tee over skimmer intake and connected pellet reactor to that

 

[brick-brothers]

This is a good learning video. ( http://www.reefdynamics.com/Reef-Dynamics-Bio-Pellet-Reactor-for-1000-liters-p/bpr1000l.htm )

 

[vio]

It would nice to see your setup and how true is that about having a GOOD skimmer. Some whop have had issue had a not very effective skimmer and its a must.

i play w/Biopellets for long time, i use to have 8" clam ,for more than 6 years, i donate to LFS they kill it in one week, i try Vinegar,Vodka now i am back on Biopellets, i think is more safe, much easy to control PO4 . Vinegar ,Vodka r to aggressive, now u got 0.005 than next day 0.000, i use to have lots of pink sponges. I see ppl. w/sand have problems , when overdose Biopellets.I will suggest only one thing, if u build a reactor, make sure is large ( 1/2 gal. up) and pellets move, 150 -200 gal./h water flow.I build many, now i run one Rio 600 into glass vase (4" round 20 " H) NO cover.
http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=161&t=238580

 

[brick-brothers]

how do you control the effluent coming out the vase? it looks like you let the water run off the top of the vase, is that true?

 

[greenstreet.1]

I have been running NPX pellets for a year now in a SMR1 reactor feed off of a manifold feed by the return pump the outlet of the reactor goes into my refugium then to the skimmer. Nitrates always read zero phosphate the last time I test was at 0.09 never really seen it work on phos but some people say that it needs some nitrate to be present in order to work on the phos. My tumble is not a heavy one I just give it enough flow that all the pellets are moving I never take out any pellets every 3-4 months I just replace what was used up. I never had any kind of bad bacteria bloom.

 

[greg 45]

If you go to you tube or reef dynamics web page there are a bunch of video's of flow rates , tumbling in the reactor the list goes on