Bio-media vs Bio-pellets

[Demonic]

So I am tossing around the idea of getting the Bashsea 6x24 Bio-Reactor. I wanted to run bio-pellets but since this already comes with the media, I began to wonder the difference. It looks like the Bashsea bio-media is made up of plastic, and bio-pellets are made up of a form of sugar.

What are the benefits of running bio-pellets over the media?

 

[jda]

I do not know about the Bashsea brand, but most are just different forms of organic carbon wether a polymer, sugar or whatever. They should all mostly do the same thing.

 

[Demonic]

I may just run the Bashsea bio media and see how it works out for me. Still deciding on the separate fuge or not.

 

[mborn]

I believe the Bashsea media is a non-bio degradable plastic support like bio-balls with a large surface area for bacteria to colonize and doesn't supply a carbon source, meaning the bacteria can’t “eat” them. Bio pellets are a type of bio degradable plastic that heterotrophic bacteria can colonize and consume as an organic carbon source. In theory the bio pellets should support more bacterial growth because of the limitless carbon supply, providing you have enough excess N and P to support this. You could try liquid carbon dosing with the Bashsea media to provide the extra organic carbon.

 

[Demonic]

Any possibility of being able to run both in the one reactor?

 

[Hak]

I was asking myself the same question, as the LFS was pushing on Bashsea Reactors and skimmer hard, I come from a time where bio balls were the in thing. haven’t had a reef tank since. And now putting together 12ft x 30inch x 30inch

Not that I have black outs where I live in Australia, but you never know when some fool collects an electrical pole with their car. So, I was afraid off bio pellets. Having said that from what I understand bio media is maintenance free and I can dose tinny amounts of vodka to feed the bacteria through the auto top up

Which of these two methods is less of a hassle, less maintenance, and safer? I guess the question needs to be.

 

[Demonic]

I was asking myself the same question, as the LFS was pushing on Bashsea Reactors and skimmer hard, I come from a time where bio balls were the in thing. haven’t had a reef tank since. And now putting together 12ft x 30inch x 30inch

Not that I have black outs where I live in Australia, but you never know when some fool collects an electrical pole with their car. So, I was afraid off bio pellets. Having said that from what I understand bio media is maintenance free and I can dose tinny amounts of vodka to feed the bacteria through the auto top up

Which of these two methods is less of a hassle, less maintenance, and safer? I guess the question needs to be.

That's the reason for even thinking about it. Just looking for the ease of things. If I'm setting it up I might as well try for the most hassle free as money allows.

Still torn....

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I did not like my bio pellets and pulled them after 6 months.

As for running together not sure, I would check recommend flow rates for sure

 

[Hak]

That's the reason for even thinking about it. Just looking for the ease of things. If I'm setting it up I might as well try for the most hassle free as money allows.

Still torn....

In my opinion the reactors with sponge require a sponge replaced, lids need to be removed meaning threads unscrewed, wear and tear not to mention pellets replaced. And the dreaded black out issue, and the pellets becoming toxic. I’m leaning towards the Bio reactor rather then the media or pellets reactor


Ill add vodka I think, and monitor things with monitor and controller

 

[Hak]

I did not like my bio pellets and pulled them after 6 months.

As for running together not sure, I would check recommend flow rates for sure

did you mean bio pellets as in carbon GFO?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I had the first version of the bio-pellets before they started doing a 2 in 1 pellet to include phosphate reducer.,I ran it thru an old vertex reactor you had to pull the handle every so often to mix the pellets.

 

[Demonic]

In my opinion the reactors with sponge require a sponge replaced, lids need to be removed meaning threads unscrewed, wear and tear not to mention pellets replaced. And the dreaded black out issue, and the pellets becoming toxic. I’m leaning towards the Bio reactor rather then the media or pellets reactor


Ill add vodka I think, and monitor things with monitor and controller

Yeah, I dont want any sponge reactor's. I will be running filter socks and that's enough to clean.

As for the thumb screws that doesnt bother me, I have a drill for those, and my sump is elevated to chest high.