Offical Eco-Bak Thread

[poolkeeper1]

If you notice Mitch, it's really only hefty on one side. Everything else is a subtle tumble, mine is down a notch from this. I would actually slow yours down or keep it the same since adding more tumble encourages more bio-fuel off the pellets, which can cause cyano.

Where did you get that Info that more tumbling gets you more bio-fuel? I would venture to guess that the increased Flow is what gives you more Bio-fuel not the tumbling. But that's JMO
Bill

 

[gmoney243]

More tumble increases bacteria population .. flow through is what determines how low your nutrients get .. which is why the reef. Dynamics reactor should work the best or easiest to control how low u want you nutrients. I'm not. Sure what u guys mean by bio fuel. Hope this help :)

 

[Dowtish]

nutrients=bio fuel


More flow=more tumbling

 

[angrycubano]

I concur because since my skimmer is undersized it isn't keeping up with the excess bacteria and bacterial waste, hence I'm having cyano issues. Once I get a bigger/better skimmer I'm gonna fire that sucka up and make me some crazy bacteria up in there.

 

[gmoney243]

I know when dosing like vodka/vinegar people use bacterial innoculators to control excess bacteria. Maybe you should try some mitch or maybe more water changes?

 

[angrycubano]

Yeah I can definitely do more water changes. I have been treating with Microb Lift special blend but I keep getting cyano so maybe I can try another strain. Once I get a bigger/better skimmer I bet it will be under control and I will be able to better assess the situation and possibly administer a Reef Team 6 beat down on my tank to get it going.

 

[poolkeeper1]

I concur because since my skimmer is undersized it isn't keeping up with the excess bacteria and bacterial waste, hence I'm having cyano issues. Once I get a bigger/better skimmer I'm gonna fire that sucka up and make me some crazy bacteria up in there.

An efficient Skimmer of proper size is a must when using any Carbon Source, Having less will IMO cause your problems that you are having.
Bill

 

[angrycubano]

An efficient Skimmer of proper size is a must when using any Carbon Source, Having less will IMO cause your problems that you are having.
Bill

I agree that's why I'm saving up for a good one. My issue was getting one that can fit in my sump under my stand and I finally found one.

 

[gmoney243]

I agree that's why I'm saving up for a good one. My issue was getting one that can fit in my sump under my stand and I finally found one.

what are you getting?

 

[gmoney243]

also you guys should read this thread or at least the first page and the articles it links to.

Does an ATS remove DOC

the articles actually show that skimmers dont remove much of what everyone claims they do and also doesnt remove bacteria ... which basically means bigger skimmer isnt going to help mitch .. in the article also explains why your getting cyano .. dont shoot me just read for yourselves :)

 

[poolkeeper1]

also you guys should read this thread or at least the first page and the articles it links to.

Does an ATS remove DOC

the articles actually show that skimmers dont remove much of what everyone claims they do and also doesnt remove bacteria ... which basically means bigger skimmer isnt going to help mitch .. in the article also explains why your getting cyano .. dont shoot me just read for yourselves :)

Theory! And Just one guys Opinion, This is not going to make me Chuck my Skimmer for a Turf Scrubber...

 

[angrycubano]

what are you getting?

Chris found one on ebay that looks just like the SWC cone skimmers for cheaper. I'm just saving up to get it.

 

[tst400]

Chris found one on ebay that looks just like the SWC cone skimmers for cheaper. I'm just saving up to get it.

Are u referring to the sc-150 or the sca-302?? If so I have the 302 and it works great

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

 

[angrycubano]

Are u referring to the sc-150 or the sca-302?? If so I have the 302 and it works greatSent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

That's it. I'm looking at getting the 302. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Dowtish]

A little update: I have been running Ecobak for 16 months and had always had great readings when it came to phosphates. Suddenly over the last month or so, I have seen them steadily increase. I decided to add about 30ml more of the pellets and increased the tumble just a bit. I did this on Sunday around noon, and tested last night. So in 2 and a half days my phos readings went from 0.26 to 0.08! I tested twice just to make sure. I was amazed at how fast I got those results, I honestly expected it to take about a week at least to see any results at all, and not that much of a drop either.

So if you have been running the same pellets for awhile, add a few new ones if your levels arent what they should be.

 

[orthokardia]

do you think it was the new pellets or tumble rate?? what %increase does 30ml represent?

 

[Dowtish]

do you think it was the new pellets or tumble rate?? what %increase does 30ml represent?

I was told by Jon Warner to add some more and increase the tumble, but he did not say how much, I just went with an amount that could help, but not add too much to to where I dont have a decent tumble. So the 30ml, is just a guess number that I went with. But I honestly think it was the combination of adding them and increasing the flow together that did it.

 

[schooleyosis]

Glad I found this thread. Be ready to talk about all of this at the meet on Sunday as after the first of the year I'll want to be adding a reactor to my system and will need all of your advice and experience!

 

[sluicebox]

I saw somewhere that the recommended Alk when running bio-pellets was 8 dkh. My current highly recommended salt mixes out at around 11 dkh. I am dosing both Alk and Ca to maintain stable levels and I am running bio-pellets. I do 10-20% water changes every two weeks. Do I need to switch salt mixes to reduce the alk to 7-8?

 

[Dowtish]

I saw somewhere that the recommended Alk when running bio-pellets was 8 dkh. My current highly recommended salt mixes out at around 11 dkh. I am dosing both Alk and Ca to maintain stable levels and I am running bio-pellets. I do 10-20% water changes every two weeks. Do I need to switch salt mixes to reduce the alk to 7-8?

I would do that for sure. The struggle is finding a high quality salt that mixes at a lower level. I was using Brightwells salt which mixes around 7dkh, but left a really strange smell in my mixing container. So I switched to Tropic Marin Pro, which is advertised to mix at 8.5 dkh, but when I tested my first batch it was 10dkh...kinda frustrating