Biopellets: Let's here your thoughts

Jcr's Reef · Mar 26, 2011

I've tried them, took them offline.

Quoted from my own build thread:
"I've read bio-pellets are the solid from of vodka dosing and I've been wanting to try them. It's a little scary to leave the pellets run full time because I can't judge how much is added like I can when dosing vodka. I would say its still to be determined if you can actually overdo the pellets and I understand the theory behind them about this but I still don't totally trust it. I dose MB7 and vodka every once in awhile just to give my tank a little kick from time and I figured I would give bio-pellets a try. I got some from a buddy which is really the only reason I'm trying them now instead of later because of the mixed reviews. I wonder if each brand is experiencing the same results or totally different results (algae blooms, etc..). The brand I'm trying out are the ATB HQ Bio-pellets.
I soaked them for 24hrs before putting them in line. I started with only 100ml or so for my total water volume of around 180g of water because I didn't want to add to much. They are running in a TLF reactor w/ a MJ 600 pump. I took out the foam and added some screen to prevent clumping or clogging."

"I added the reactor to my tank yesterday. My ph usually runs on the low side (7.6 or so) and once I added the reactor my ph dropped to 7.3. I don't know whether its a coincidence or what. Later I looked at the graph on my RKE and my ph was jumping all around throughout the day from 7.3-7.8. My alk was 8, sal. is 1.026 so I don't know what else could be causing the ph swing. The only thing I have added to the tank this week is MB7 and that was probably 3 days ago. This morning my ph is at 7.5 and still jumpy so I have no idea whats going on."

"media is still tumbling great, no clumping or clogging of any kind. For the number crunchers out there, I won't be displaying test results. It's been a long time since I have tested for Po4 and has been a couple of years since I have tested for nitrates. I'm just seeing what effect they have on my system (colors, skimmate, etc..) and seeing what problems (hopefully none) I experience."

I took them offline because:
1. My SPS's polyp extension wasn't extending out like usual.
2. My Ph was always flucuating, even throughout the day it would run low. It was pretty stable before the pellets were ever added to my tank.
3. Cyano starting to creep in the main DT. Never had an issue with Cyano before while manually dosing.
4. Vodka is way cheaper
5. The theory behind pellets is great, but it seems no one really knows what is taking place, the correct amount of flow, if you can indeed overdose them (if you cant then why is there a specified amount? Shouldn't they all break down at the same rate regarless bc they feed off the nutrients in the tank? This by itself doesn't make sense to me). I've heard rice give good results too, and its organic! Seriously might try this one!
6. If your running pellets and your tank starts to crash you are left scratching you head saying what the heck caused it, vs. tanks running without them hobbyist usually know exactly what caused it. (worth gold alone!)
7. Aren't Bio-pellets all manufactured in the same place? But certain brands give different results? Is every brand soaked in something different? What exactly separates one brand from the other besides the label that is stamped on the front of it? Anybody know? Hmmmm...

Not against them at all. I think they are a great step to whats in store for hobbyist in the future, just much to learn of what exactly is taking place. Vodka is still by far the cheapest to run, and from whats been stated over and over, the results of running bio-pellets are the same as dosing Vodka, so why pay more? Just my .02

kingfisherfleshy · Mar 27, 2011

The idea behind the pellets is that you get as much carbon into the system as you possibly can.

It isnt that it is released until you dont need anymore carbon, its that there is so much in the water that carbon is no longer the limiting resource. In that process, you probably mess up your tank a lot with rampant, unrestrained bacteria growth. This is why I am about to try vodka first.

The only way these should be added to an established tank in my mind is if you are switching off vodka.

Reef lvr · Mar 27, 2011

I have 500ml WM in a phosban 150 on my 120 for 9-10 months. Have never had such clear and algae free h20..Pe and color are outstanding.. It has used 200-250ml since i started..Lps were i lil stressed after month 2 or so, thriving now though.. I did have a cyno outbreak, found a hermit crab stuck in pump intake for reactor restricting flow, next day all cleared up, so mabey flow has a lot to do with diff results.. IMO running pellets + gfo is overkill !!

kingfisherfleshy · Mar 27, 2011

So...they cyano cleared up after you removed a hermit from the pump intake to the pellet reactor?

Did you do anything at the same time?

Seems to me that wouldnt really clear up an outbreak.

CJO · Mar 27, 2011

I haven't decided on these yet. I know that if I ever do add them, that I will wait until they are proven. I know too many people who have had very poor results.. too many to balance out the ones who have had good results.

CJ

melev · Mar 27, 2011

I'm trying them out with this tank. I can't really vote in the poll since none of the options match my opinion currently. 2 liters on a 400g system, and the brand is Vertex.

Reef lvr · Mar 27, 2011

kingfisherfleshy said:
So...they cyano cleared up after you removed a hermit from the pump intake to the pellet reactor?

Did you do anything at the same time?

Seems to me that wouldnt really clear up an outbreak.

Sound's weird but it did..No did nothing other then restored flow to reactor.. Might not have anything to do with the cyno, but did not have any then whole sand bed was covered, cleared intake next day cyno free and none since... Who know's could be by chance, but i don't think so. IMHO!

goody · Mar 28, 2011

Curious as to where people were running the output of their pellet reactor. I've heard some directly to skimmer intake or skimmer section of sump, others run it back to return pump section. Interesting to see if there was a pattern here of placement and problems. I have mine going back into return pump section of my sump.

Troylee · Mar 28, 2011

Mine was into the skimmer...

Alpha Aquaculture · Mar 28, 2011

Ok all of this doubt about the pellets has got me curious. I contacted the manufacturer of my pellets and I asked very nicely if they could provide some info and I linked up this thread. Hopefully they will help us learn about the biopellets we trust our reefs to.

patent · Mar 28, 2011

I'd agree with Logzor, if you want to run them be careful about how you ramp up. ULNS can easily go overboard and be a No Nutrient system.

melev · Mar 28, 2011

Mine is going to the bubble tower that flows outward in front of my skimmer's intake pumps.

Jcr's Reef · Mar 28, 2011

I had my reactor running into my 40 gallon refugium tank (liverock & sand only), that then fed into the return area of my sump. The return area fed my display tank before draining down to the skimmer. My way of thinking is that I wanted my corals to be able to feed off the bacteria before it was stripped from the system (possibly causing STN in other tanks?). Once we move, I might give the pellets another go and experiment with them again, but I'll be honest and say I'm still leery of the bio-pellets long term. I also still haven't heard any of the questions I asked being directly answered? Does anybody know?

goody · Mar 28, 2011

Jcr's Reef said:
I had my reactor running into my 40 gallon refugium tank (liverock & sand only), that then fed into the return area of my sump. The return area fed my display tank before draining down to the skimmer. My way of thinking is that I wanted my corals to be able to feed off the bacteria before it was stripped from the system (possibly causing STN in other tanks?). Once we move, I might give the pellets another go and experiment with them again, but I'll be honest and say I'm still leery of the bio-pellets long term. I also still haven't heard any of the questions I asked being directly answered? Does anybody know?

This is what I was wondering. Maybe those who have had issues with the pellets were running the pellet reactor output directly to skimmer and like you said, stripping the system of the bacteria and causing STN.

Troylee · Mar 28, 2011

Let me ask this for everyone saying there sucsess.... What exactly are they doing for you to be the greatest thing ever??? What can you accomplish now that you couldn't before or what positive changes has it made for you??? Only thing I noticed was better pe but according to calfo that was from the sticks starving....

Fieroguy19 · Mar 28, 2011

Been running 0.5L of NP pellets for 8 months on a 40g then moved reactor over to my current 90g. Used to worry about keeping them moving and now I just make sure there is decent flow through them and then I shake them up once a week. My 90g is only about 6 months old and there are sponges grow everywhere in the sump and dark areas in the display. Also not running GFO anymore and N and P stay at 0 even when overfeeding.

Paul_N · Mar 28, 2011

For me it's maintaining my N and P at the levels I want, eliminating gfo, and being able to feed heavily while doing so. For me it's the same thing as vodka without the daily dosing.

Jon Warner · Mar 28, 2011

Hi all...

If you have any questions, just ask them. I can't speak for the other brands but I can speak for ECOBAK.

Basically there are THOUSANDS of units of ecoBAK in use today. I've been contacted by 2-3 people who have questioned if ecoBAK could have caused the problem. All those were traced to another problem source.

Having said that... remember to push the ecoBAK with a GENTLE tumble. Faster flow rates result in bacteria being stripped from the media more aggressively.

Here's the WORST story I've heard from an ecoBAK user.

User has a 10 year old aquarium with NO3 near 200ppm. User has a Coralife Super Skimmer on a 240g aquarium. User's temperature is 85 F. User adds 1.5L all at once and runs too high flow rate.

Net result was cloudy water for a week and user believes one fish may have died from stress.

That's it. Worst case scenario, ignore directions... and that's the worst result. Correct skimmer, no problem... lower water temp, no problem... correct flow, no problem...

Keep in mind... there are a LOT of competitors out there right now. Most are the same product, repackaged... ecoBAK is unique and Patent Pending in fact.

Few FAQ's:

Slow tumble, approx 100 gph flow rate.

Cyano is unrelated to ecoBAK use, likely a bacterial imbalance and are often more visible when undesirable algae start to disappear. Fix Cyano issues with ProdiBio, Special Blend, etc...

FEED YOUR TANK!! Back in the old days to keep SPS we starved our tanks and got rid of our fish. That's the only way we could get nutrients down to see good color. Now using ecoBAK, one can EFFORTLESSLY have low nutrients so BUY SOME FISH and FEED YOUR TANK. Don't starve your tank.

Your SPS look great but your LPS are upset? FEED YOUR TANK!!!

Yes you need a good quality skimmer, properly sized to your tank.

Keep in mind... ecoBAK only "works" when it's needed. Low nutrient levels in your water means light bacterial populations on the media.

No, it's not like Vodka because you're not adding anything to the water.

any more questions, just ask :D