Author Topic: Bio pellets? (Read 2867 times)

Reefpete · « **on:** June 02, 2011, 09:10:22 »

Does anyone have experience with'em? Any real results?

Boonjob · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2011, 09:16:26 »

When you say bio pellets are you referring to the little balls you put in a reactor that feed your nitrifing bacteria? If so, I know one of our sponsor's uses them on all of his tanks, he took me around and showed me all of em. Said he swear by em and his tanks are doing great over some other lfs I have been too imo.

Reefpete · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2011, 09:21:46 »

Quote from: Boonjob on June 02, 2011, 09:16:26

When you say bio pellets are you referring to the little balls you put in a reactor that feed your nitrifing bacteria? If so, I know one of our sponsor's uses them on all of his tanks, he took me around and showed me all of em. Said he swear by em and his tanks are doing great over some other lfs I have been too imo.

The little cylinder pellets.

Reefpete · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2011, 09:46:33 »

Thanks for the input BJ

Wall_Tank · « **Reply #4 on:** June 02, 2011, 11:20:30 »

You get the same affect as Vodka dosing, or other carbon dosing techniques. While vodka dosing is the lowest costs approach, these pellets are probably a little less maintenance.

rancoo · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2011, 11:35:32 »

I just got some today as my nitrates are around 20, not crazy high but there is some brown algae growing on the sand. I will let you know how it works

Boonjob · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2011, 11:56:00 »

Correct me if I am wrong but is it advise to not use these or vodka dosing and an algae scrubber at the same time correct? Pretty much one or the other?

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2011, 12:06:12 »

i done a couple vodka dosings whith my scubber. i didnt notice any side effects other than bacteria bloomed like crazy, but i hooked a skimmer up to get rid of it... But after reading about thos who long term dose and stopping, how it can kill your tank.... no thanks.

I wouldnt use bioballs IMO. They eventually create pits in the plastic, more equipment to add to your shopping list later on, requires maintenance if you want them to last longer, and they do the same thing as LR except for the fact that they only breed 1 type of bacteria, the kind that needs oxygen that breaks down ammonia so they cant break down nitrates. Just get some more LR in there and it's take care of both, provided that you can.

Reefpete · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2011, 12:42:02 »

Quote from: rancoo on June 02, 2011, 11:35:32

I just got some today as my nitrates are around 20, not crazy high but there is some brown algae growing on the sand. I will let you know how it works

Thank you

Kenn · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2011, 13:21:26 »

I myself done away with bio-ball media when I started my reef tank. I used them in fish only YEARS ago.

For my reef tank, I just added live rock to the sump (also a good place for pods to grow unmolested)

rancoo · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2011, 13:31:46 »

correct me if I am wrong but I don't think he was talking about the plastic bio balls you put in your sump he was talking about bio media that you put in a media bag or a reactor. Here is what I just bought.
http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=SEA-166&Category_Code=

Reefpete · « **Reply #11 on:** June 02, 2011, 13:38:39 »

Quote from: Kenn on June 02, 2011, 13:21:26

I myself done away with bio-ball media when I started my reef tank. I used them in fish only YEARS ago.

For my reef tank, I just added live rock to the sump (also a good place for pods to grow unmolested)

I would suppose that they would prefur not to be molested.

Kenn · « **Reply #12 on:** June 02, 2011, 13:46:12 »

Quote from: rancoo on June 02, 2011, 13:31:46

correct me if I am wrong but I don't think he was talking about the plastic bio balls you put in your sump he was talking about bio media that you put in a media bag or a reactor. Here is what I just bought.
http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=SEA-166&Category_Code=

I stand corrected Thanks

I am unfamiliar with this type of product.

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2011, 13:53:23 »

Quote from: rancoo on June 02, 2011, 13:31:46

correct me if I am wrong but I don't think he was talking about the plastic bio balls you put in your sump he was talking about bio media that you put in a media bag or a reactor. Here is what I just bought.
http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=SEA-166&Category_Code=

Thats pretty nice considering its reusable

rancoo · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2011, 14:03:55 »

I have never used anything like it so I will let you know the results

Wall_Tank · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2011, 14:31:14 »

Quote from: Boonjob on June 02, 2011, 11:56:00

Correct me if I am wrong but is it advise to not use these or vodka dosing and an algae scrubber at the same time correct? Pretty much one or the other?

If you use any carbon dosing system, you can drive your tank to Ultra Low Nutrients. This will kill off all or most of your algae.

Darin, if you saw a bacteria bloom, you added too much too fast. On my 90 gallon tank, I started at about .2ml per day. Then slowly worked my way up to around 5ml per day. The increase was about .5 or 1ml per week.

Reefpete · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2011, 14:40:48 »

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/carbon-and-gfo/biopellets/reactor-and-bio-pellet-combo-pack.html
-This is actually what I was refurring to. However, I have thought of several means to reduce Phos. and Nitr.

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2011, 14:49:57 »

Quote from: Wall_Tank on June 02, 2011, 14:31:14

If you use any carbon dosing system, you can drive your tank to Ultra Low Nutrients. This will kill off all or most of your algae.

Darin, if you saw a bacteria bloom, you added too much too fast. On my 90 gallon tank, I started at about .2ml per day. Then slowly worked my way up to around 5ml per day. The increase was about .5 or 1ml per week.

It turned my tank water slightly milky, not terrible, but slightly, was about a table spoon for my 300g. But it just seemed to be more work than i wanted, and with being able to seriously hurt your tank if you stop, it's not something that i would want to mess with. Maybe later i'll try it when i have more time to mess with it and read more about it, but not for me right now.

Boonjob · « **Reply #18 on:** June 02, 2011, 14:51:42 »

Not sure if your keen to the thought...but my alage scrubber has really done a trick on my numbers... in just the two weeks I have hadit up it has cut my pos and trates in half... and I know they say the average setup rids the tank completely in 4-8 weeks. If it keeps up I think I will fall in that area.

Reefpete · « **Reply #19 on:** June 02, 2011, 15:40:25 »

Quote from: Boonjob on June 02, 2011, 14:51:42

Not sure if your keen to the thought...but my alage scrubber has really done a trick on my numbers... in just the two weeks I have hadit up it has cut my pos and trates in half... and I know they say the average setup rids the tank completely in 4-8 weeks. If it keeps up I think I will fall in that area.

I can't do a ATS yet because i don't have the provisions for it.

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #20 on:** June 02, 2011, 16:22:22 »

what is it you need to do it?

Boonjob · « **Reply #21 on:** June 02, 2011, 17:38:27 »

Quote from: Reefpete on June 02, 2011, 15:40:25

I can't do a ATS yet because i don't have the provisions for it.

provisions? what supplies do you need? it is lights,pvc, plastic canvas and a pump...., you'll prolly spend equal or more on bio pellets...

Reefpete · « **Reply #22 on:** June 02, 2011, 18:26:58 »

I think it would be much easier for you to bring

's over to my place so you can first hand see and understand my set up. (Which is temporary)

micki · « **Reply #23 on:** June 02, 2011, 18:52:04 »

Quote from: Boonjob on June 02, 2011, 14:51:42

Not sure if your keen to the thought...but my alage scrubber has really done a trick on my numbers... in just the two weeks I have hadit up it has cut my pos and trates in half... and I know they say the average setup rids the tank completely in 4-8 weeks. If it keeps up I think I will fall in that area.

I'm Liken this!

Reefpete · « **Reply #24 on:** June 02, 2011, 19:19:53 »

Quote from: micki on June 02, 2011, 18:52:04

I'm Liken this!

As do I micki. I am buying the "plastic canvas" or so boonjob calls it from slandis at the meeting. I have had every intention of running a scrubber. Just no options for it presently.

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Author Topic: Bio pellets? (Read 2867 times)