N/P reducing pellets (solid vodka dosing) - Page 160

rguyler · 07/25/2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capn_hylinur

They are constantly losing their prime which might be the case in yours?

Capn, what "prime" are you referring to?

On a different note, I am tumbling a lot more than others who have posted videos. If I don't then the clumping gets really bad. I did just add more pellets as the overall size of the original dose of pellets was half that of new pellets so either I'm still getting good bio action or the faster tumbling is eroding them more. No Bryopsis and just a small patch of cyano every now and then but nothing too bad. Should I slow the tumble and add something to the pellets to prevent the clumping? What additions are working well for everybody?

thebanker · 07/25/2011, 03:46 PM

I wouldn't add anything to keep them tumbling. If they're clumping it's from biofilm / biofouling, right?

thebanker · 07/25/2011, 03:52 PM

It's been 9 months since starting my biopellet reactor with Vertex Aquaristik pellets. I notice that chaeto does not grow much at all any more. Quick water test yesterday.

NO3 = 0.0 (API, eyeballing a zero is good enough for me)
PO4 = 0.02 (Hanna Checker, +/-0.04 margin of error)

Aquarist007 · 07/25/2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebanker

It's been 9 months since starting my biopellet reactor with Vertex Aquaristik pellets. I notice that chaeto does not grow much at all any more. Quick water test yesterday.

NO3 = 0.0 (API, eyeballing a zero is good enough for me)
PO4 = 0.02 (Hanna Checker, +/-0.04 margin of error)

Increase flake feeding if you want to keep your cheato around and healthy

One of the reasons for running the pellets was to be able to feed more especially to the corals.

Aquarist007 · 07/25/2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebanker

I wouldn't add anything to keep tto hem tumbling. If they're clumping it's from biofilm / biofouling, right?

right--its called mulm

It is correct to increase the flow as much as possible through the reactor and it does decrease the pellets faster.
However nothing decreases the pellets faster then getting them clogged up in the mulm and having to take the reactor apart and clean it out. I used to lose alot of pellets that way and that is not an effecient use of them

thebanker · 07/25/2011, 06:47 PM

Yep learned that one early on. I also learned that you'll find random pellets in your garage for months to come.

Quite honestly I don't care about the chaeto. I'm looking to get that pale / bright zeovit color in my coral.

Aquarist007 · 07/25/2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rguyler

Capn, what "prime" are you referring to?

On a different note, I am tumbling a lot more than others who have posted videos. If I don't then the clumping gets really bad. I did just add more pellets as the overall size of the original dose of pellets was half that of new pellets so either I'm still getting good bio action or the faster tumbling is eroding them more. No Bryopsis and just a small patch of cyano every now and then but nothing too bad. Should I slow the tumble and add something to the pellets to prevent the clumping? What additions are working well for everybody?

I have a few of them that are very tempermental. If you shut them off and they drain then pump gets an air lock in it and you have to prime the unit by covering over the air intake in the sump. Some of them I have had to yank out of the sump, take completely apart and put them back together again just to get the pumps to suck up water again---that is a real pain and waste of my time and money.
The new swc hob one is terrible. It loses its prime everytime it is shut off and then you have to use beer

to get it going again or buy a 20 buck vacuum pump to run along with the unit like you do with some overflows.

TheFishMan65 · 07/26/2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

t is correct to increase the flow as much as possible through the reactor and it does decrease the pellets faster.

Capn, I have heard/read you can have too much flow. This statement seems to imply you can't have too much flow. Comments?

Aquarist007 · 07/26/2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFishMan65

Capn, I have heard/read you can have too much flow. This statement seems to imply you can't have too much flow. Comments?

A while back suppliers advocated running the pellets with a maxijet 900 giving them just enough flow to slightly move the pellets.
What occured was the mulm remaining in the reactors and clogging up the units especially when they were running the foam filters.

So there has been a shift in thinking to remove the foam filters and use the plastic ones supplied by Two Little Fishes and increase the power head you use so you have as much flow going through the reactor as possible.
Marineland who supplies maxijets has come out with a new maxijet which has another 100 gph to it and running these pumps really does make a difference with the reactor and pellets staying clear.

As far as too much flow--yes you still could have too much--if you were to have so much flow as to jam up the pellets to the top of the reactor then you could have a situation similar to too little flow.
The valve that comes with the reactor comes in handy for that--you still have to tweak the flow with it for each situation you have

thebanker · 07/26/2011, 05:24 PM

I gotta say, my best experience with fluidizing pellets has been with using NO media holder whatsoever, just a downtube jammed into the mass of pellets at the bottom of the reactor. Much better flow than any DIY plastic grate that replaces the foam filters.

I haven't tried the TLF factory mod, but it looks the same as the DIY method.

Stanley-Reefer · 07/26/2011, 08:36 PM

The WM Ecobak pellets say they do NOT need to tumble and can even be put into a mesh bag in an area of high flow.

They claim their polymer is a totally diff patent than other existing polymers too.

Aquarist007 · 07/26/2011, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebanker

I gotta say, my best experience with fluidizing pellets has been with using NO media holder whatsoever, just a downtube jammed into the mass of pellets at the bottom of the reactor. Much better flow than any DIY plastic grate that replaces the foam filters.

I haven't tried the TLF factory mod, but it looks the same as the DIY method.

It is, I was going to try what you did also but was discouraged against it because in a power failure there might be a start up surge putting some of the pellets into the tank.
But in hindsight what would be the big deal---anyone who doses vodka or sugar is putting the carbon source into the tank any ways.

Glad you posted this

Aquarist007 · 07/26/2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley-Reefer

The WM Ecobak pellets say they do NOT need to tumble and can even be put into a mesh bag in an area of high flow.

They claim their polymer is a totally diff patent than other existing polymers too.

I question that lack of surface area the polymers will have that they

could be that effecient

tntneon · 07/27/2011, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley-Reefer

The WM Ecobak pellets say they do NOT need to tumble and can even be put into a mesh bag in an area of high flow.

They claim their polymer is a totally diff patent than other existing polymers too.

Hi stanley-reefer

,

I used to put the pellets in a mesh bag the first couple of month's , but then the mesh bag clogged very quickly with bacterial mulm.
Blocking the flow thru the bag/pellets wich can create anaerobic conditions in the pellets , and this can lead to H²S production (rotting egg smell) and that is not good for your health and your tank

.

The best way IMO is to put them in a open DIY jar or containment like the banker said , and jam a recycle line (with a adjustment valve) from return pump or a drainpipe from display in the pellets so that they can tumble nicely w/o blokiing anything.
This is how i run them almost 2 year with great results (i use the drainpipe to feed my DIY open reactor) .

greetingzz tntneon

thebanker · 07/27/2011, 01:35 PM

tntneon, I wouldn't necessarily suggest an open-top reactor, although I'm sure it would work fine. I still think a little plastic grate before the outflow would be good to keep the pellets from accidentally spilling everywhere, and that's what I use, in addition to a concave bottom plate under the downtube. One reason I like the upper grate is so I can periodically invert the reactor and shake it to really churn up the pellets, and dislodge bits of detritus that inevitably work their way into the reactor.

I did notice some gnarly sponge growth in my biopellet reactor, along with some feather dusters. Cool!

Stanley-Reefer · 07/27/2011, 06:10 PM

I just started them 2 days ago in both tanks....I did go to full dose as I'm looking for this to replace my daily vodka regimen that is 2 years and running...I'm doing full vodka this week and will decrease by 1/4/week till I'm at the month mark.

I put some in a DR F&S carbon bag--it has petty decent sized holes in it. The rest are in reactors.

As long as you have alot of flow with highly oxygenated water--how would the aneorobic bact develop?

thebanker · 07/27/2011, 06:16 PM

Let us know how the pellets in the bag look (and behave) after a month or so. It's interesting that you're running reactors and bag.

Stanley-Reefer · 07/27/2011, 07:36 PM

It was one of those situations where I put less than 100ml in a bag or into the jar they came in

Aquarist007 · 07/27/2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley-Reefer

I just started them 2 days ago in both tanks....I did go to full dose as I'm looking for this to replace my daily vodka regimen that is 2 years and running...I'm doing full vodka this week and will decrease by 1/4/week till I'm at the month mark.

I put some in a DR F&S carbon bag--it has petty decent sized holes in it. The rest are in reactors.

As long as you have alot of flow with highly oxygenated water--how would the aneorobic bact develop?

the bags seem to clog up rather quickly reducing the flow and giving you the anerobic conditions

Stanley-Reefer · 07/27/2011, 08:19 PM

It'll be fine....it's in a corner of my sump triangulated by the output of the ecobak reactor, sump draine and skimmer intake.

fat walrus · 07/27/2011, 09:31 PM

It appears to be a constant situation that after a day, the bio-pellets tumble only on side of the reactor. I think someone suggested adding glass beads, but I have no idea what type of store sells round glass beads that are not ornamental.

TheFishMan65 · 07/28/2011, 06:50 AM

Toy stores - they are called marbles

. I have seen 1/4 inch marbles, but I wonder if they would be too large.

thebanker · 07/28/2011, 12:39 PM

Hey walrus, tell us a little about your reactor set up. Or post pictures. I doubt that anyone would have to resort to marbles to get their pellets to tumble correctly. Glass is so much denser, I doubt that would work as intended.

I've run my pellets in a slightly modded TLF 150 reactor, and have had the issue you're having about the pellets only moving on one side.

Aquarist007 · 07/28/2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fat walrus

It appears to be a constant situation that after a day, the bio-pellets tumble only on side of the reactor. I think someone suggested adding glass beads, but I have no idea what type of store sells round glass beads that are not ornamental.

are you still running the black filters in the reactor?

Aquarist007 · 07/28/2011, 09:00 PM

Here is a link for the foam filter replacements

http://www.aquariumsupplies.ca/phosb...en-p-6108.html

07/28/2011, 06:50 AM	#3997
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	Toy stores - they are called marbles . I have seen 1/4 inch marbles, but I wonder if they would be too large. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

07/28/2011, 09:00 PM	#4000
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	Here is a link for the foam filter replacements http://www.aquariumsupplies.ca/phosb...en-p-6108.html __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

07/25/2011, 03:46 PM	#3977
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	I wouldn't add anything to keep them tumbling. If they're clumping it's from biofilm / biofouling, right?

07/25/2011, 03:52 PM	#3978
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	It's been 9 months since starting my biopellet reactor with Vertex Aquaristik pellets. I notice that chaeto does not grow much at all any more. Quick water test yesterday. NO3 = 0.0 (API, eyeballing a zero is good enough for me) PO4 = 0.02 (Hanna Checker, +/-0.04 margin of error)

07/25/2011, 06:47 PM	#3981
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	Yep learned that one early on. I also learned that you'll find random pellets in your garage for months to come. Quite honestly I don't care about the chaeto. I'm looking to get that pale / bright zeovit color in my coral.

07/26/2011, 05:24 PM	#3985
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	I gotta say, my best experience with fluidizing pellets has been with using NO media holder whatsoever, just a downtube jammed into the mass of pellets at the bottom of the reactor. Much better flow than any DIY plastic grate that replaces the foam filters. I haven't tried the TLF factory mod, but it looks the same as the DIY method.

07/26/2011, 08:36 PM	#3986
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	The WM Ecobak pellets say they do NOT need to tumble and can even be put into a mesh bag in an area of high flow. They claim their polymer is a totally diff patent than other existing polymers too.

07/27/2011, 01:35 PM	#3990
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	tntneon, I wouldn't necessarily suggest an open-top reactor, although I'm sure it would work fine. I still think a little plastic grate before the outflow would be good to keep the pellets from accidentally spilling everywhere, and that's what I use, in addition to a concave bottom plate under the downtube. One reason I like the upper grate is so I can periodically invert the reactor and shake it to really churn up the pellets, and dislodge bits of detritus that inevitably work their way into the reactor. I did notice some gnarly sponge growth in my biopellet reactor, along with some feather dusters. Cool!

07/27/2011, 06:10 PM	#3991
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	I just started them 2 days ago in both tanks....I did go to full dose as I'm looking for this to replace my daily vodka regimen that is 2 years and running...I'm doing full vodka this week and will decrease by 1/4/week till I'm at the month mark. I put some in a DR F&S carbon bag--it has petty decent sized holes in it. The rest are in reactors. As long as you have alot of flow with highly oxygenated water--how would the aneorobic bact develop?

07/27/2011, 06:16 PM	#3992
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	Let us know how the pellets in the bag look (and behave) after a month or so. It's interesting that you're running reactors and bag.

07/27/2011, 07:36 PM	#3993
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	It was one of those situations where I put less than 100ml in a bag or into the jar they came in

07/27/2011, 08:19 PM	#3995
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	It'll be fine....it's in a corner of my sump triangulated by the output of the ecobak reactor, sump draine and skimmer intake.

07/27/2011, 09:31 PM	#3996
fat walrus Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 68	It appears to be a constant situation that after a day, the bio-pellets tumble only on side of the reactor. I think someone suggested adding glass beads, but I have no idea what type of store sells round glass beads that are not ornamental.

07/28/2011, 12:39 PM	#3998
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	Hey walrus, tell us a little about your reactor set up. Or post pictures. I doubt that anyone would have to resort to marbles to get their pellets to tumble correctly. Glass is so much denser, I doubt that would work as intended. I've run my pellets in a slightly modded TLF 150 reactor, and have had the issue you're having about the pellets only moving on one side.