Bio-Pellets

brick-brothers · Aug 28, 2015

Hey guys, for those that are running biopellets on their system. What brand do you use? Also is running the combo pellets ( Po4 & No3 ) better than the pellets for po4 only?

Downbeach · Aug 28, 2015

Warner Marine EcoBak or EcoBak Plus are good choices. I've never tried the combo pellets, mainly because I would rather deal with any excess PO4 separately using GFO in a reactor, and only if the pellets weren't enough to get it to >.03ppm by themselves.

Keepswiming · Aug 28, 2015

Ecobak and Dr. Tims pearls are both good choices in my experience. Interesting, I have never heard of different pellets for po4 and no3. I use the pearls and my po4 and n03 are both in check with no other reactors online.

brick-brothers · Aug 28, 2015

have yall tried TLF brand. Also whats yall flow rate coming out the reactor?

Downbeach · Aug 29, 2015

I hav never tried the TLF brand, but I'm sure its OK. As far as the flow rate you'll want a means of controlling the flow, either with an adjustable flow pump, or a ball valve. The flow in the reactor should be just enough to keep the pellets fluidized. The output(effluent) ahould be as close to, or even better plumbed into the intake of an appropriately sized skimmer. I'm not promoting any particular brand, but here is a good video on bio pellets on why/how to use them:

Dyonopses · Aug 29, 2015

EcoBak Plus

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 29, 2015

Keepswiming said:
Ecobak and Dr. Tims pearls are both good choices in my experience. Interesting, I have never heard of different pellets for po4 and no3. I use the pearls and my po4 and n03 are both in check with no other reactors online.

FWIW, the ones that claim to bind extra phosphate just put some GFO particles into the pellets, but the GFO isn't removed the way it is when used normally. It's like slowly pouring GFO into the tank.

Keepswiming · Aug 29, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
FWIW, the ones that claim to bind extra phosphate just put some GFO particles into the pellets, but the GFO isn't removed the way it is when used normally. It's like slowly pouring GFO into the tank.

Very interesting! Thanks

brick-brothers · Aug 29, 2015

Wow, didn't know that.

brick-brothers · Aug 30, 2015

I read that for the TLF pellets its 100ml per 25g. My total water volume is 250g. How much would you add per week to reach the 1000mls?

bknapp · Aug 30, 2015

I'm using Warner Marine ecoBAK (and some plus) and I've been happy with them this far. I'm way under the recommended amount and have a lower tumble rate.

sawdonkey · Aug 31, 2015

brick-brothers said:
I read that for the TLF pellets its 100ml per 25g. My total water volume is 250g. How much would you add per week to reach the 1000mls?

This is just my experience, but I think that all of the manufacturers recommend WAY too much pellets. I have about 250 gallons and run about 200 ml and have done so for over two years. My nitrates are always 0-3 and I have big fish and feed a lot. Over my two years of using pellets, I've only used two 500ml bags of pellets (BRS brand)

Whenever you hear biopellet horror stories, it's usually because people use too much (yes, the recommended amount is too much). I think about 1ml per gallon is about right, at least for me.

brick-brothers · Aug 31, 2015

Good to hear. I was going to start off with 250ml. Maybe I'll start off with 200

gcarroll · Aug 31, 2015

I was he first person to run Ecobak. I ran 2 liters on my 225g SPS tank in a 24" tall Precision Marine media reactor for several years with great success. I once had a guy look at it and say, "Hey, isn't the media supposed to be tumbling?" I looked at him and replied, "Is it?" His answer, "I guess not!"

brick-brothers · Aug 31, 2015

So you didn't have the media tumbling with no I'll affect?

Downbeach · Aug 31, 2015

I would start with 1/3 the recommended amount, and add an additional 1/3 every two weeks, while checking your N's and P's after each time period. Although not necessary, you could add a bacterial supplement, i.e. zeobak, NB7, biodigest, etc. to give it a jump start. Every system is going to be different, so I'd stick to the recommended amounts as a base line, until you find the amount that works best for you. In my case, I had a 180 predominant SPS mixed reef, with a 40 gal sump, so I calculated about 180 gal net after deducting for the rock and DSB. I found that 3 cups was about right for me, so slightly less than the recommeded amount. In my case I would use about half that amount over six months, at which time I'd remove and clean the reactor and replenish the pellets.

gcarroll · Aug 31, 2015

brick-brothers said:
So you didn't have the media tumbling with no I'll affect?

Correct. I ran a Maxijet 9oo through it but with 2 liters of media, it soon settled however the water still flowed through it. I did not run GFO as to not manipulate the natural Redfield ratio. I only ran carbon to polish the water from time to time as I deamed necessary. My Ecobak reactor fed my rubble rock fuge which then became a pod factory.