Bio-Pellets

[reefs4life]

I ordered a Next Reef SMRXL1 with 1000mL of Warner EcoBak Pellets from TBAquatics on Sunday and I got it in on Tuesday. I can't wait to hook it up because I have read about the great effects it has on a saltwater system but...

I have 2 questions:
- I put one dose of Red Slime Remover the other day which was about 2/3 of the entire container but I know it's an antibiotic so will that affect the start of colonization in the reactor? I ran my skimmer the day after I dosed which was Friday and since then I've done 2 20g water changes.
- I also have a 40w Pentair Aquatics UV Sterilizer, should that be off for a while?

 

[smoq]

As far as I know the red slime remover is based on natural thing, some kind of peppers if I remember correctly. I can't help you eith the other question though. When I started my biopellets reactor I kept using carbon and GFO for about 3 weeks and then I tossed them out and now using only biopellets.

 

[NYreefNoob]

i run my aqua uv 25w 24 hours a day and run pellets, had used redslime while using pellets also with no ill effect

 

[prattreef]

Red slime remover is def. a form of antibiotic and I can't imagine it not hindering the growth of bacteria to some degree. To what degree is? Who knows?

 

[FlowerhornNYC]

If you want the bacteria to colonize fast then it better to shut off the UV light. Are you running GFO or any phosphate remover? If yes, slowly cutting it back a few hours each day till your bio pellet colonize(take around 3-4 weeks). It happen to me before when I first running my bio pellet, I shut my phosphate reactor before the bacteria colonize my phosphate level spike up alittle kill some of my sps.

 

[mqur1963]

i am using both phosphate reacter but level of phosphate after 4 week reduce to almost one cup size and bio pellets took 7 to 8 weeks to complete 1000 ml love it no algea issue and using kalk calcium with auto top off my rock turning blue and purple i love it fish look very happy and sps growing very fast

 

[reefs4life]

Thanks for all the input guys I seem to have gotten my answers. Can't wait to get this thing going. I'll document my progress once it's set up if I get the chance

 

[mqur1963]

good luck and do not rush

 

[reefs4life]

bio pellets took 7 to 8 weeks to complete 1000 ml

By that do you mean that all 1000mL of pellets disintegrated after 7 to 8 weeks?

good luck and do not rush

Thanks, and I'm not one to rush...

 

[mqur1963]

no it takelong time after 8 weeks just by 500mland add little bit every 2 weeeks

 

[lilbuddha769]

I would look into getting some bac to dose since I am pretty sure the RSR is a antibiotic . ZEObak,MB7,Stability or some Biodigest . To balance out some lost bac . It helps jump start the system too.
UV will slow u down as it will kill bac some as well as the nasties . Carbon is still run but GFO can be removed .

 

[duke62]

can i ask a question off topic..what kind of salt are you using?

 

[reefs4life]

can i ask a question off topic..what kind of salt are you using?

I use Seachem Reef Salt, why?

 

[duke62]

because ive noticed with oceanic i had nasty outbreaks of cyano.now i switched salts any the cyano went away

 

[reefs4life]

because ive noticed with oceanic i had nasty outbreaks of cyano.now i switched salts any the cyano went away

Oh ok, I never used oceanic but that makes sense. I wonder if it was really the salt causing the cyano or if it was just coincedence that the cyano stopped after switching salts

 

[fishman1069]

Ive used Oceanic salt for almost 2 years now and I always have a prob with diatoms. I wonder if its the salt!?!

 

[jab161]

Starting vertex pro bio pellets today. I have a system volume of about 115 g (430l) the bag says 50-200ml for every 100L I am starting with 100 ml of pellets in a brs reactor. I don't add anything to the tank except bright well two part calcium. Should I be adding any bacteria or anything along with the the pellets.