Offical Eco-Bak Thread

[bknapp]

I'm experiencing some of the same issues currently. Nitrates at 0 for the last month or more and phosphates remaining high at 0.8 or so. I'm using Salifert nitrate test and Hanna checker for phosphates. I'm using Dr Tims Bio-Pellets and just added my final third this past weekend so they have been running on the system for abit over 6 weeks. I was just about to add a few more fish to the tank. I guess if the phosphates don't drop in the next couple weeks, I can reduce skimming efficiency as well as add the microbacter7 or something similar. Any other suggestions?

I think the best thing to do would be to add to your bioload via more fish or more feedings. One of the most important things to remember with the use of pellets is to FEED! And also remember the pellets take six to eight weeks to colonize so for you they are just now starting to become fully active. Are the phosphates reading at .08 or. 8?

 

[bknapp]

I'm expirencing some stn after run Eco bak three years. If I turn the flow up the faster it stn it seems. The slower flow stns slower is there something I can do or recommend ? I was running alk at 9.2 when this all started also but dropped down to 8.2. All perms are in check.
Alk 8.2 Hanna
Cal420 salifert
No3 0 salifert
Po4 o salifert
Sal 1.025

How large is your bioload? How often do you feed? Having your alkalinity at 9.2 was pushing your limits. If your phosphates and nitrates are truly at 0and you're not feeding your tank enough you are staving your Corals

 

[RobbReef]

I have a heavy bio load. I have about 17 fish now. I've been feeding once a day bi weekly water changes.

 

[bknapp]

I have a heavy bio load. I have about 17 fish now. I've been feeding once a day bi weekly water changes.

You should be feeding multiple times a day.

 

[RobbReef]

You should be feeding multiple times a day.

I'm gonna start thanks.

 

[NeveSSL]

Dude... these things are like a dream come true.

"Nutrient issues? Get more fish and feed multiple times a day."

Sweet! Never thought we'd hear that in this hobby. :D

Brandon

 

[bknapp]

Dude... these things are like a dream come true.

"Nutrient issues? Get more fish and feed multiple times a day."

Sweet! Never thought we'd hear that in this hobby. :D

Brandon

+1

The Other Brandon

 

[meintn]

0.80

Adding more fish today and feedings will increase. Thinking about getting some of the Elos fish food that doesn't contain any phosphates as well. Dropping some phoslock in today too.

I think the best thing to do would be to add to your bioload via more fish or more feedings. One of the most important things to remember with the use of pellets is to FEED! And also remember the pellets take six to eight weeks to colonize so for you they are just now starting to become fully active. Are the phosphates reading at .08 or. 8?

 

[Dowtish]

0.80

Adding more fish today and feedings will increase. Thinking about getting some of the Elos fish food that doesn't contain any phosphates as well. Dropping some phoslock in today too.

Can you possibly post a video of your reactor and show me your rate of tumble of the pellets?

 

[meintn]

I'll get a video this weekend. I'm changing my plumbing around to run the reactor off the return pump and get finer adjustment on it. I added 3 blue reef chromis yesterday and am loving them so far.

Can you possibly post a video of your reactor and show me your rate of tumble of the pellets?

 

[meintn]

[video]https://www.dropbox.com/s/6kzsgehpickxu24/20130928_161856.mp4[/video]


Any less flow and the sides don't move as well.

 

[Dowtish]

[video]https://www.dropbox.com/s/6kzsgehpickxu24/20130928_161856.mp4[/video]


Any less flow and the sides don't move as well.

That is a good amount of tumble. No need to slow it down. You will notice as you add more pellets it will tumble more evenly. I would say as you give a bit more time and add more pellets you will see those numbers drop where you want them.

 

[meintn]

According to the documentation with Dr. Tims NP Pearls, that's the full amount of pellets I need for my water volume. Just under 3/4 of a cup for approximately 55 gallons is where I figure it. Think I should add abit more?

 

[meintn]

0.60 and falling now for phosphates. Seems a heavier bioload and feeding more along with some phoslock have helped. Is there a rate at which reducing phosphates is bad for your tank?

 

[JOKER]

I am having phosphate problems too. Nitrate is almost undetectable in my 40 gallon cube but phosphate is .67... I started with too much I think, so I am starting over with DR. Tims and starting with 1/3 amount and working up to total. What would you recommend on removing and starting over? Should I remove a little at a time or just remove all and start over? I started with 150 ml the first go around

 

[bknapp]

When your phosphates are down and nitrates are up the best thing to do is increase your nitrates. Pellets remove more nitrates then they do phosphates but, they can't remove phosphates if there are no nitrates present.

 

[Dowtish]

0.60 and falling now for phosphates. Seems a heavier bioload and feeding more along with some phoslock have helped. Is there a rate at which reducing phosphates is bad for your tank?

I can't tell you a specific number thst is too much, but you definitely don't want the pellets to strip the po4 too fast.

I am having phosphate problems too. Nitrate is almost undetectable in my 40 gallon cube but phosphate is .67... I started with too much I think, so I am starting over with DR. Tims and starting with 1/3 amount and working up to total. What would you recommend on removing and starting over? Should I remove a little at a time or just remove all and start over? I started with 150 ml the first go around

I would not completely remove whst you have now. I would leave 1/4 of them to seed the Dr Tims pellets.

 

[JOKER]

Ok well I doubled my feeding just the other day. Will check again an day or two. Didn't have phosphate reagent the other day for hanna so just used api. Just noticed some zoas close up and not looking so good and I been fighting hair algae. The pellets definitely work. My nitrate was always high on the tank and within few months are almost nothing. Just checked with the new elos test and about 1

 

[JOKER]

I think I am maxed on fish, 2 occe clowns, pajama cardinal, yellow watchman goby, yellow tail damsel, orchid dotty back. Would adding another small fish or 2 be an option? Know that would raise my nitrates some. Recently added wp25 for more flow and 20 gallon sump, and the ecobak.

 

[schooleyosis]

Feed more to raise nitrates!