Biopellets: Let's here your thoughts

[Lone Peak]

I have been running a Reef Octopus with generic Bio Pellets from BRS in a 75 gal tank for 14 months now. I am just getting ready to replenish the Reef Octopus for the first time with new pellets and things have always been right on. Nitrates = 0, Phosphates = 0. p.s. I have never done a single water change. Good skimmer and biopellet reactor is a great recipe for great water.

 

[mike007]

Carbon dosing is a lot easier and cheaper in my opinion.

 

[RogerWilco357]

which bio pellets do you guys use? and what reactor? Lastly where can I find a link describing how much to use per gallon tank?

 

[melev]

which bio pellets do you guys use? and what reactor? Lastly where can I find a link describing how much to use per gallon tank?

Reef Addicts - Product Review: AquaMaxx biopellet reactor
Reef Addicts - Product Review: NextReef's NP Reactor (SMR1 XL)

Reef Addicts - Product Review: EcoBak by Warner Marine

 

[DSP]

Anyone tried thrives crush bio pellets?im thinking about setting up a reactor soon my nitrates are a little high so I'm hoping they will bing them down,And I'd like to feed my tank more.Also what bacteria do you guys dose?is microbacter7 the best?

 

[DSP]

Also does anyone use the phosban 150 reactor?A guy I work with uses one with success I'd like to hear from others as well

 

[jt17]

You can use any reactor as long as you keep the pellets tumbling. I use the next reef smr1 but I kept having problems with them sticking together. The smallest pellets were clogging the holes in the bottom plate of the reactor so I modified it. I removed the plate completely and replaced the tube inside with a piece of PVC with a cap on the end. I drilled six 1/4" holes around the cap and it works better than ever.

 

[melev]

Anyone tried thrives crush bio pellets?im thinking about setting up a reactor soon my nitrates are a little high so I'm hoping they will bing them down,And I'd like to feed my tank more.Also what bacteria do you guys dose?is microbacter7 the best?

I tried them, but they didn't work as well for me as Vertex did. I also used BioSpheres with success, as well as EcoBak.

 

[DSP]

Ok thanks for the replies guys!

 

[gregr]

I ran mostly WM but also some Vertex mixed in, with a Reef Octopus reactor. It was running for about 2 years before I broke the tank down. Corals thrived, water was always crystal clear. I fed phyto/oysterfeast almost every day to make up for the low nutrient bio-pellet effect. I never had luck keeping anemones though. Hard to say if it was the bio-pellets since there are so many variables in a reef tank.

 

[DSP]

Nice! I picked up a phosban 150 and some thrive crush bio pellets from work today.Soaking the pellets in ro water right now

 

[Reefltx]

What are some good reactors out now? Before I used reef octopus.


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[melev]

What are some good reactors out now? Before I used reef octopus.

The Reef Octopus biopellet reactor is perfectly fine.

 

[neuwave]

I'm wondering about the bio-actif NPS pellets from tropic Marin. They are made suppose to be made from long chain carbon molecules (per tropic marin rep at macna.) But haven't found much on reviews overseas yet. Anyone heard anything or maybe tried?

 

[Reefltx]

The Reef Octopus biopellet reactor is perfectly fine.

What do you think about the aquamaxx reactor? I kinda wish I hadn't sold my reef octopus. I'm considering giving biopellets a second chance.


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[Kgedelian]

I dont let nuisance algae grow in my tank in the 1st place i keep my ph at 7.9 with Reef Crystal SALT for bacteria, Naver need dosing no vodka no Biopellet, my Tank WILL naver crush :)

 

[Damon]

Reef Dynamics or any recirculating reactor that allows control over your process water..

I love mine to be honest and it's been a great asset.

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[melev]

What do you think about the aquamaxx reactor? I kinda wish I hadn't sold my reef octopus. I'm considering giving biopellets a second chance.

I'm using the AquaMaxx reactor on my tank now. Works very well. The top screen plate needs to be removed periodically to clean it up so flow isn't inhibited.

 

[gettaReef]

ANYONE'S ADVICE/COMMENTS WELCOME:
I am strongly leaning towards running a Biopellet reactor. I have a 75 Gal mixed (running close to 2 years now), not too much coral yet, but 50/50 LPS SPS currently. Also not overstocked on fish. I have a refugium w chaeto and 1.5" micracle mud, run two separate reactors: one with BRS GFO and the other with BRS Carbon, and run a AquaC-EV180 skimmer w mag 9.5. My phosphates are always very close to zero as long as I keep up with changing GFO every month and a half. My problem is Nitrates. They always measure between 20-40. I feed little, use pristine water, etc.. This is where I feel a biopellet reactor where help most, and possibly, in the future, save my need for GFO. I'd also like to be able to feed a little more and add some more fish without the worry of increasing nitrates and how that would affect coral/inverts.

I have narrowed it down to one of two reactors: either Melev's suggestion, AquaMaxx, or CADlights cone reactor. Any advice on one over the other (I'm really stuck and can't make up my mind)? Also, I planned on using BRS biopellets as I have read good reviews and it would be very convenient as I use their other media/purchase from them often. Are the BRS pellets a good choice for my system? Any negatives regarding BRS biopellets? I understand it will take a few months for the biopellets to start working, which is no problem. Being in this hobby a few years now, I've learned the skill of patience.

I also understand that it is advised to hook the output of the biopellet reactor to the input piping of the skimmer?? Is this correct or do I have it all wrong? If so, please let me know the advised configuration of a biopellet reactor, skimmer, GFO reactor, and Carbon reactor in a sump.

Also, when is it advised to change out the pellets? is this when you begin to see nitrates beginning to sneak back up or is this a "replace this much every month" kind of thing? Sorry, I'm completely ignant when it comes to using biopellets.

Thank you for any help you could provide, as I will use it to guide my decision on which products to get and how to set it up. ~gettaReef

 

[DSP]

Just an update Iv been running my thrive bio pellets for 2 weeks now it's still early but I have seen some good things so far,the little algea I did have completley disappeared and I'm happy about that because I was having to clean my glass almost twice a day to keep the tank looking good.my nitrates are still the same though but like i said its only been 2 weeks.I ordered some microbacter7 last night just to help out the pellets and maybe get them to kick in sooner.I will keep everyone updated