Biopellet Reactor vs. Carbon dosing

WLachnit · 06/18/2017, 02:50 PM

I have been running a biopellet reactor for some time but am considering changing to carbon dosing. For those that have run both, what are the pros and cons?

mcgyvr · 06/18/2017, 03:24 PM

Carbon dosing just works, its super easy and requires virtually no maintenance/time input..
Biopellets are hit and miss, take a while to get started, and can require more maintenance/reactor cleaning, pumps, energy, etc....

WLachnit · 06/21/2017, 11:13 PM

Thanks. Anyone else with experience? Any downside relative to biopellets?

gprdypoo04 · 06/22/2017, 01:42 AM

I know carbon dosing didn't do anything for my tank. Haven't tried bio pellets.

alton · 06/22/2017, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Carbon dosing just works, its super easy and requires virtually no maintenance/time input..
Biopellets are hit and miss, take a while to get started, and can require more maintenance/reactor cleaning, pumps, energy, etc....

I agree, when I moved down from a 300 to my current 180 I tried bio pellets and ended up losing some corals, switched over to NO3:PO4-X and it works. If you decide to go pellets make sure you buy a brand that works, many do not and do more harm than good.

GimpyFin · 06/22/2017, 09:11 AM

I think a lot of it comes down to preference. Both pellets and vodka/vinegar can work well as forms of carbon dosing. I've used pellets for several years now and they've worked quite well. Alton makes a good point too in that a lot of pellets are generic, rebranded junk. You really need to use good ones (Ecobak and ecobak plus are very good.) Wrong reactor type is another area where people fall short with pellets. I like the fact that the bacteria colonize/feed off the pellets within the reactor. Your not dosing the whole tank, so to speak.

jda · 06/22/2017, 09:22 AM

They do the same thing, if done correctly. You won't get any different results from one or the other, but the setup is different. In your case, if you switched, you would need to find a way to get vodka, sugar or vinegar into your tank each day.

Potatohead · 06/22/2017, 09:26 AM

I use Nopox on a doser to keep my nitrate in the 1 - 2 range. The stuff is great IMO. I've never used biopellets but I can't see how they could be any easier or more efficient than carbon dosing.

06/18/2017, 02:50 PM	#1
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Biopellet Reactor vs. Carbon dosing I have been running a biopellet reactor for some time but am considering changing to carbon dosing. For those that have run both, what are the pros and cons? __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

06/18/2017, 03:24 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Carbon dosing just works, its super easy and requires virtually no maintenance/time input.. Biopellets are hit and miss, take a while to get started, and can require more maintenance/reactor cleaning, pumps, energy, etc.... __________________ Who me?

06/21/2017, 11:13 PM	#3
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Thanks. Anyone else with experience? Any downside relative to biopellets? __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

06/22/2017, 09:11 AM	#6
GimpyFin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,032	I think a lot of it comes down to preference. Both pellets and vodka/vinegar can work well as forms of carbon dosing. I've used pellets for several years now and they've worked quite well. Alton makes a good point too in that a lot of pellets are generic, rebranded junk. You really need to use good ones (Ecobak and ecobak plus are very good.) Wrong reactor type is another area where people fall short with pellets. I like the fact that the bacteria colonize/feed off the pellets within the reactor. Your not dosing the whole tank, so to speak. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 110 gallon

06/22/2017, 01:42 AM	#4
gprdypoo04 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 389	I know carbon dosing didn't do anything for my tank. Haven't tried bio pellets.

06/22/2017, 09:22 AM	#7
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	They do the same thing, if done correctly. You won't get any different results from one or the other, but the setup is different. In your case, if you switched, you would need to find a way to get vodka, sugar or vinegar into your tank each day.

06/22/2017, 09:26 AM	#8
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	I use Nopox on a doser to keep my nitrate in the 1 - 2 range. The stuff is great IMO. I've never used biopellets but I can't see how they could be any easier or more efficient than carbon dosing.