NPX Bioplastics Floating

Kearnel · 02/15/2015, 06:15 PM

As the title says, it's what they are doing. I installed a TLF 150 today with the bioplastics but it seems that some just want to float to the top into a big clump. The pump running it is a Mag 9.5 so flow definitely isn't the issue. Most of the pellets do what they should, tumble beautiful but then there's that large group that insists on hanging out at the top. Is this normal? do these require a break in period? This particular media in a reactor is fairly new to me so I'm just not to sure how this stuff should look. I've looked at plenty of YouTube vids of the same thing and they aren't all clumped at the top, normal for a new one or did I do something wrong?

Kearnel · 02/15/2015, 08:48 PM

And if anyone is wondering, the valve isn't open to allow the full flow from the pump, that just pins all the media to the top.

Fudz Cwerner · 02/15/2015, 11:00 PM

Theywill float for a few days. Next time you decide to replenish I would recommend taking some saltwater and letting them float in it for a few days before adding to the reactor.

Kearnel · 02/16/2015, 06:50 AM

I read that a few places that soaking them will help.

Uncle Luke · 02/16/2015, 09:10 AM

Once they get slime, they'll come down. Also consider getting a better reactor if you can. The modded TLF's can get frustrating. GL

Kearnel · 02/16/2015, 09:40 AM

I'll likely upgrade eventually, these thing's are pretty cheap but this was more of a trial for me to see how it goes. This is my attempt at trying to get a grip on some stringy brown algae in my DT. I've tried everything I can but it constantly comes back. My phosphates are at acceptable amounts and nitrates are 0 so I'm lost on how to defeat it. I'm hoping the bio reactor will help me out. If it helps then hoooorayyyy, I'll buy a better reactor and use the 150 for something else.

Kearnel · 02/16/2015, 02:07 PM

Is it normal for these bioplastics to cause a skimmer to go haywire? mines gone nuts since I installed it with the output right at the skimmer intake.

chadfarmer · 02/16/2015, 03:18 PM

nitrates at 0 u are wasting your time

Kearnel · 02/16/2015, 03:31 PM

That doesn't help any.

Kearnel · 02/16/2015, 03:32 PM

But thanks for you input.

Uncle Luke · 02/16/2015, 08:42 PM

Skimmer going nuts is normal. Have you tried GFO for phosphate removal? The BP's are really meant to bring nitrates down. GFO will bring phos down effectively.

Kearnel · 02/17/2015, 09:21 AM

I've tried it all. It's possible that my test kits are giving bad readings, they are little old but not expired and will freely admit that better quality ones are needed. I guess it's my hope that my kit is reading wrong. I don't really consider this a waste time since install was minimal time and cost was the same. Process of elimination because something is feeding it and providing the nutrients for this stuff to persist. I've recently put GAC back in my reactor but I'm thinking I'll go back GFO, maybe the two combined would work best. None of this stuff existed when I did my last reef aquarium so this one is being outfitted with some equipment that's a bit of a learning curve and it's been a battle for the last 3 year's.

02/15/2015, 06:15 PM	#1
Kearnel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brantford, Ontario Posts: 315	NPX Bioplastics Floating As the title says, it's what they are doing. I installed a TLF 150 today with the bioplastics but it seems that some just want to float to the top into a big clump. The pump running it is a Mag 9.5 so flow definitely isn't the issue. Most of the pellets do what they should, tumble beautiful but then there's that large group that insists on hanging out at the top. Is this normal? do these require a break in period? This particular media in a reactor is fairly new to me so I'm just not to sure how this stuff should look. I've looked at plenty of YouTube vids of the same thing and they aren't all clumped at the top, normal for a new one or did I do something wrong?

02/15/2015, 11:00 PM	#3
Fudz Cwerner Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Tx Posts: 115	Theywill float for a few days. Next time you decide to replenish I would recommend taking some saltwater and letting them float in it for a few days before adding to the reactor. __________________ Live the dream! 210g mixed reef, AI Hydra/Vega combo, 3x MP40, Octopus 5000, BR140 running Biopellets 60g cube sea horse tank, AI Nano, 2x MP10, XS160, BR70 running Biopellets.

02/16/2015, 09:40 AM	#6
Kearnel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brantford, Ontario Posts: 315	I'll likely upgrade eventually, these thing's are pretty cheap but this was more of a trial for me to see how it goes. This is my attempt at trying to get a grip on some stringy brown algae in my DT. I've tried everything I can but it constantly comes back. My phosphates are at acceptable amounts and nitrates are 0 so I'm lost on how to defeat it. I'm hoping the bio reactor will help me out. If it helps then hoooorayyyy, I'll buy a better reactor and use the 150 for something else. Last edited by Kearnel; 02/16/2015 at 09:47 AM.

02/16/2015, 03:18 PM	#8
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	nitrates at 0 u are wasting your time __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

02/15/2015, 08:48 PM	#2
Kearnel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brantford, Ontario Posts: 315	And if anyone is wondering, the valve isn't open to allow the full flow from the pump, that just pins all the media to the top.

02/16/2015, 06:50 AM	#4
Kearnel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brantford, Ontario Posts: 315	I read that a few places that soaking them will help.

02/16/2015, 09:10 AM	#5
Uncle Luke Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,011	Once they get slime, they'll come down. Also consider getting a better reactor if you can. The modded TLF's can get frustrating. GL

02/16/2015, 02:07 PM	#7
Kearnel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brantford, Ontario Posts: 315	Is it normal for these bioplastics to cause a skimmer to go haywire? mines gone nuts since I installed it with the output right at the skimmer intake.

02/16/2015, 03:31 PM	#9
Kearnel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brantford, Ontario Posts: 315	That doesn't help any.

02/16/2015, 03:32 PM	#10
Kearnel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brantford, Ontario Posts: 315	But thanks for you input.

02/16/2015, 08:42 PM	#11
Uncle Luke Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,011	Skimmer going nuts is normal. Have you tried GFO for phosphate removal? The BP's are really meant to bring nitrates down. GFO will bring phos down effectively.

02/17/2015, 09:21 AM	#12
Kearnel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brantford, Ontario Posts: 315	I've tried it all. It's possible that my test kits are giving bad readings, they are little old but not expired and will freely admit that better quality ones are needed. I guess it's my hope that my kit is reading wrong. I don't really consider this a waste time since install was minimal time and cost was the same. Process of elimination because something is feeding it and providing the nutrients for this stuff to persist. I've recently put GAC back in my reactor but I'm thinking I'll go back GFO, maybe the two combined would work best. None of this stuff existed when I did my last reef aquarium so this one is being outfitted with some equipment that's a bit of a learning curve and it's been a battle for the last 3 year's.