Restarting tank, should I use Biopellets?

zero26 · 01/31/2013, 08:47 AM

Going to restart my 90, after a slow decline and to correct some rookie mistakes from 4 years ago. Should I install a Biopellet reactor?

zero26 · 01/31/2013, 06:15 PM

Bump

tkeracer619 · 02/01/2013, 01:34 AM

yes.

BuckeyeFrags26 · 02/01/2013, 10:44 AM

no u shouldnt

Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

Flame_Angel · 02/01/2013, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeFrags26

no u shouldnt

Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

Are you going to quantify this at all, or...?

keithhays · 02/01/2013, 11:23 AM

Carbon dosing is probably a good idea for systems with nitrate issues, which is most of them. There are positives and negatives to each method. The positive for biopellets is that there is less maintenance, but you don't really know how much is being dosed and your only control is either more or less biopellets.

For the other types of carbon dosing, you have lot more control, but it requires that you do daily dosing.

Both methods have a risk of being overdosed with the most likely outcome being an outbreak of cyanobacteria, so start with the low side recommendations of either method and work your way up.

AcroporAddict · 02/01/2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zero26

Bump

Hey..........nice avatar!

keithhays · 02/01/2013, 06:46 PM

I can't believe you didn't get more responses on this one.

cap032 · 02/01/2013, 10:37 PM

I am going to be running a Reef Dynamics BPR on my currently cycling 125. I dont see any reason not to. The Reef Dynamics model is recirculating which allows for full control of the reactor. Imo, it doesnt have the drawbacks of other reactors nor the tediousness of dosing. So my vote is yes. Fwiw, Reef Octopus now has a recirculating bpr as well.

borderreef · 02/02/2013, 08:23 AM

I guess I need a little more info, or maybe I'm missing something. Are you using the same live rock and sand you used previously? and did you "cook" it? I'm in the process of removing all my live rock and adding all new Marcorock. I took out about half the existing rock, so I'm running pellets to compensate for the lost bacteria. I'm keeping the sandbed, just going to vacuum it in small batches. Once all the new rock is in, I'll continue with the pellets until I'm satisfied there is enough bacteria to support the tank (that will be based strictly on guess work).

dave sullivan · 02/02/2013, 02:52 PM

Get a good skimmer add 1.6 lbs per gallon of good live rock, do some h2o changes, and use ro di water with kalkwasser for replacement and you should be off to good start maintaining a sucessful reef. Have a great day!

lluv24 · 02/02/2013, 03:28 PM

+1 good advice Dave !!!!!

01/31/2013, 08:47 AM	#1
zero26 MoneyPit Maestro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington MO Posts: 1,866	Restarting tank, should I use Biopellets? Going to restart my 90, after a slow decline and to correct some rookie mistakes from 4 years ago. Should I install a Biopellet reactor? __________________ 90 DT, 50 gal basement sump. Current Tank Info: LPS, SPS

01/31/2013, 06:15 PM	#2
zero26 MoneyPit Maestro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington MO Posts: 1,866	Bump __________________ 90 DT, 50 gal basement sump. Current Tank Info: LPS, SPS

02/01/2013, 01:34 AM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	yes. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/01/2013, 10:44 AM	#4
BuckeyeFrags26 AquaticLife Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Englewood, OH Posts: 307	no u shouldnt Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android __________________ "Reefing Is An Addiction Rehab Doesn't Work For" "Aquatic LifeStyle" Current Tank Info: 250 Gal Double Deep, all Ecotech lights & pumps, L1 Vectra Closed Loop, reef Octo skimmer, full out Fuge 75Gal.. Other Systems-55gal Coral/Invert Q/T, Side By Side x2-11Gal W/Sump Q/T System, 125Gal Q/T w/Sump!

02/02/2013, 03:28 PM	#12
lluv24 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: kansas city Posts: 420	+1 good advice Dave !!!!! __________________ 200 Gallon Deep Deminsion, StarFire Glass, mixed reef. Apex, Mp40 QD x2 , 2 Radion Gen3 LED Lights,with Reeflink. Aqua Max Em300 skimmer, Trigger Emerald Sump, Next Reef Gfo & carb, Neptun Current Tank Info: 200 DD Mixed Reef;-)

02/01/2013, 11:23 AM	#6
keithhays Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,259	Carbon dosing is probably a good idea for systems with nitrate issues, which is most of them. There are positives and negatives to each method. The positive for biopellets is that there is less maintenance, but you don't really know how much is being dosed and your only control is either more or less biopellets. For the other types of carbon dosing, you have lot more control, but it requires that you do daily dosing. Both methods have a risk of being overdosed with the most likely outcome being an outbreak of cyanobacteria, so start with the low side recommendations of either method and work your way up.

02/01/2013, 06:46 PM	#8
keithhays Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,259	I can't believe you didn't get more responses on this one.

02/01/2013, 10:37 PM	#9
cap032 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 611	I am going to be running a Reef Dynamics BPR on my currently cycling 125. I dont see any reason not to. The Reef Dynamics model is recirculating which allows for full control of the reactor. Imo, it doesnt have the drawbacks of other reactors nor the tediousness of dosing. So my vote is yes. Fwiw, Reef Octopus now has a recirculating bpr as well.

02/02/2013, 08:23 AM	#10
borderreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: east brookfield, ma Posts: 572	I guess I need a little more info, or maybe I'm missing something. Are you using the same live rock and sand you used previously? and did you "cook" it? I'm in the process of removing all my live rock and adding all new Marcorock. I took out about half the existing rock, so I'm running pellets to compensate for the lost bacteria. I'm keeping the sandbed, just going to vacuum it in small batches. Once all the new rock is in, I'll continue with the pellets until I'm satisfied there is enough bacteria to support the tank (that will be based strictly on guess work).

02/02/2013, 02:52 PM	#11
dave sullivan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: green bay Posts: 50	Get a good skimmer add 1.6 lbs per gallon of good live rock, do some h2o changes, and use ro di water with kalkwasser for replacement and you should be off to good start maintaining a sucessful reef. Have a great day!