Turning Bio Pellets on after being off for weeks

Cubbies · 04/15/2012, 07:39 AM

So here is the story. Last night we had a T-storm in the area. I have a black lab that is terrified of storms and whenever there is one he looks for a spot to go cozy up in. Well last night he ended up around my equipment plug ins.

A couple weeks ago I disconnected a bio pellet reactor due to it clogging way too much and left it sitting there. I am looking for something better. This morning I go to the fish tank and everything is off. Hectically I start plugging a couple plugs that were disconnected in and turn the switches on. Now I don't know if anybody has ever opened a canister of bio pellets after them sitting there for a couple days but they smell rotten if you have. Well I left the room for a few minutes and came back to check everything was ok. I smelled that rotten smell and I was oh darn! Of course I plugged the BP back on!!

Now my questions are: Has anyone ever done this and what did you do? Am I in trouble? What should I do? It smells horrible atm but everything looks ok in the tank. Sorry for the long story! TIA

dan-in-gr · 04/15/2012, 08:37 AM

Yes, I did this. I changed tanks in the fall and had my bio-pellet rector sitting off to the side for 2 months, water was still covering pellets and I hooked it back up inn new system. Yes they did smell a bit for a day, but are fully recycled now. The smell was probably dead bacteria and should be no harm to your system.

Cubbies · 04/15/2012, 08:41 AM

Awesome! That's what I was thinking. They were fully covered.

sneaton · 04/15/2012, 09:01 AM

you might want to post in the chemistry forum....just incase

04/15/2012, 07:39 AM	#1
Cubbies Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NW IL Posts: 1,475	Turning Bio Pellets on after being off for weeks So here is the story. Last night we had a T-storm in the area. I have a black lab that is terrified of storms and whenever there is one he looks for a spot to go cozy up in. Well last night he ended up around my equipment plug ins. A couple weeks ago I disconnected a bio pellet reactor due to it clogging way too much and left it sitting there. I am looking for something better. This morning I go to the fish tank and everything is off. Hectically I start plugging a couple plugs that were disconnected in and turn the switches on. Now I don't know if anybody has ever opened a canister of bio pellets after them sitting there for a couple days but they smell rotten if you have. Well I left the room for a few minutes and came back to check everything was ok. I smelled that rotten smell and I was oh darn! Of course I plugged the BP back on!! Now my questions are: Has anyone ever done this and what did you do? Am I in trouble? What should I do? It smells horrible atm but everything looks ok in the tank. Sorry for the long story! TIA

04/15/2012, 08:37 AM	#2
dan-in-gr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 385	Yes, I did this. I changed tanks in the fall and had my bio-pellet rector sitting off to the side for 2 months, water was still covering pellets and I hooked it back up inn new system. Yes they did smell a bit for a day, but are fully recycled now. The smell was probably dead bacteria and should be no harm to your system.

04/15/2012, 08:41 AM	#3
Cubbies Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NW IL Posts: 1,475	Awesome! That's what I was thinking. They were fully covered.

04/15/2012, 09:01 AM	#4
sneaton Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: indianapolis Posts: 742	you might want to post in the chemistry forum....just incase