NP Biopellets

[Ben1]

Just figured I would give my opinion for those out there looking into these.

I have been running 1000ml of the original NP Biopellets in a deltec fluidized reactor. For about a 180gal total water volume system. I keep the flow through the reactor enough to tumble the pellets.

After running them approximately 4 weeks I have noticed that the brown diatoms that usually coat the glass a few times a week and need to be cleaned up have dissappeared. I still have some small patches of HA in the back along my silicon but it seems to be disappearing. FWIW I am talking minor HA, and never really started with a high nutrient system. I also continue to use my GFO and carbon, and dont plan to use the biopellets as a replacement, but instead as a way to increase the time my expensive GFO last. I have to say, they seem to be working but slow to get started. I will post again as things progress.

I have also noticed that everyone has a version of these now,

NP Biopellets
Pro Bio Pellets Vertex
Warner Marine
NPX Bio Beads
Tetras Nitrateminus pearls
NPX Bioplastics from Two little fishes (not sure if this is the same as bio beads)
etc....

So lots of companys are flooding the markey with this stuff. FWIW Jon from WM says everyone in the industry knows what NP Biopellets were comprised of and his contain the least filler. I got 500ml of the WM version for another tank for $35, cheap compaired to the NP Biopellets.

Anyone else running these? What do you think?

 

[kyley]

Hi Ben,
I've recently started looking into biopellets and found your post. Now that you've been running these at least 3-4 months, what do you think? And what do you think of the cheaper Warner Marine ones you mentioned above in your post? Thanks,
--Kyle

 

[Lars]

Bump...Any update?

 

[Anonymous]

I have heard mixed reviews and want to hit the fast forward button to see if they pan out in the future.

 

[Ben1]

My honest opinion after some time, is I wasted a bunch of money...

I tried both the NP biopellets and warner marine pellets and after some time never got any real results. I took them off, and never could tell a difference.

 

[Anonymous]

I haven't used either (though I do have a package of the WM pellets sitting in a box in my closet in case I feel like playing with'em) but my understanding is there is a real ramp-up time before they seem to have much effect at all.

To be honest with you my interest in them is less as a filtration element than as a food producer for filter feeders.

 

[Anonymous]

Any updates or new opinions on biopellets? I've been reading many mixed reviews.