UV & Biopellet question

yacn

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I own a phosban reactor 150 and use NPX Biolplastics in it to help control nitrates in my reef tank. I've had it hooked up since 2016.

I dug up my old UV sterilizer and wanted to hook it up again to see what happens.

I want to hook up my water supply to the UV sterilizer, after the water passes through the UV have it go directly into the reactor and pass through the bioplastics and then exit back into my sump.

I wanted to know if I hook up a UV sterilizer prior to the reactor will it affect the bioplastics ability to do its job lowering my nitrates?

The reason I want to do this is so I don't have to plumb both units separately. With ATS, skimmer, marine pure large block, already in sump I'm running out of room to don't want to add additional motors.

Also anyone using Bactiv 8 NPX.....I read today on their website 2 little fishies recommends dosing this while using their bioplastics....I never knew this and never used bactiv 8 before. Do I need to?
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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The species of bacteria needed to consume biopellets are fairly uncommon and it takes a while to get them in place. If you sterilize the water coming to the pellets it may take even longer than usual.
 
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yacn

yacn

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I’ve been running the bio pellets since 2016 without UV.

Do you think that is enough time for bacteria to be plentiful in my system so that the UV won’t have an affect?
 
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yacn

yacn

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I’ve been running the biopellets since 2016 without UV

Isn’t that enough time for the bacteria to be plentiful in my system?

Do you think adding UV now will have an affect?
 

rmchoi

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How about setting up a tee off your return and divert into the UV sterilizer. You can put the tee before your bio pellet reactor. Most of the return water will flow through the bio pellets. Let the diverted return water flow through the UV sterilizer then to the display tank, at the proper flow rating for your UV size. This allows the UV to be most effective. This also avoids contnuouslly recirculating sterilized water out of the sump, then some of it right back in. No need for a second pump.

Screen Shot 2018-05-25 at 9.58.23 PM.png
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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I’ve been running the biopellets since 2016 without UV

Isn’t that enough time for the bacteria to be plentiful in my system?

Do you think adding UV now will have an affect?

Probably yes. :)
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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Probably yes to which question

lol Sorry

"Isn’t that enough time for the bacteria to be plentiful in my system?"

The bacteria will likely be plentiful on the pellets but maybe not elsewhere. :)
 

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