| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
aceofspadeskb 
Guest
Joined: February 20 2013
Location: Smithfield
Status: Offline
Points: 562
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: Survey: Biopellets
Posted: April 14 2015 at 10:55am |
I've done a lot of research on adding biopellets and it got me wondering who on this forum uses them.
Do you use biopellets? Have you ever used them? What are you thoughts? How well do they work? Are they worth the hassle and $$$ ?
|
 |
Krazie4Acans
Admin Group
Joined: December 17 2012
Location: Syracuse
Status: Offline
Points: 24177
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 11:09am |
|
I run them on one of my systems. I like them but I think an Algae scrubber would be just as effective without the risk. I would say if you are going to run them make sure you have a better than average skimmer and use fewer pellets than you are told to use. If you need more then add some later but you can't go back if you put too much.
$$$ isn't really an issue because they are cheap and last quite a while.
|
My ocean. 90g (yup, won it!), 40g, 28g, & 10g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water Tank Thread:
|
|
Marcoss
Guest
Joined: November 23 2014
Location: American Fork
Status: Offline
Points: 1277
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 11:25am |
When I researched this originally for my systems, I ended up going with GFO. I don't have anything to add on biopelletes except for when I did my research it felt like GFO was the best route to take.
It seemed like GFO was a good solution for a smaller/cleaner system such as mine. If I had a bigger system/with more of a load, I would probably lean towards biopellets.
Thats my two cents.
|
|
RedSea Max S400 - 90G Rimless Frag Tanks x2 - 185 Lookdown Bin
|
|
Krazie4Acans
Admin Group
Joined: December 17 2012
Location: Syracuse
Status: Offline
Points: 24177
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 11:30am |
|
Marcoss, GFO and bio pellets serve two different issues in the system. Bio-pellets reduce Nitrates and GFO reduces Phosphates. I run both on my systems as one does not replace the other.
Algae scrubbers will reduce both so will chemipur.
|
My ocean. 90g (yup, won it!), 40g, 28g, & 10g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water Tank Thread:
|
|
Marcoss
Guest
Joined: November 23 2014
Location: American Fork
Status: Offline
Points: 1277
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 11:48am |
|
That's really good to know! I wonder if it was coincidence that my nitrates went down with the GFO. I added the GFO in hopes of reducing phosphates, which I admit i don't test for, to help clear up algae. It reduced the algae within a couple of days. The nitrates also went way down, which I do test for. I am trying to remember if I did anything else around the time.
|
|
RedSea Max S400 - 90G Rimless Frag Tanks x2 - 185 Lookdown Bin
|
|
aceofspadeskb
Guest
Joined: February 20 2013
Location: Smithfield
Status: Offline
Points: 562
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 11:51am |
Maybe I'll try a nice/cheap DIY algae scrubber. Could probably do one for $20 or so...
I'm still interested to hear others' opinions on biopellets.
|
|
Krazie4Acans
Admin Group
Joined: December 17 2012
Location: Syracuse
Status: Offline
Points: 24177
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 11:57am |
|
Bio-pellets are just another form of carbon dosing (like vodka, vinegar, sugar, etc..). Those will reduce Nitrates but not Phosphates.
I think there must have been something else going on that reduced your nitrates (lower feeding amounts, life rock maturing, Sand bed maturing, skimmer adjusted or cleaned for better performance, detritus removed from sump, etc...)
|
My ocean. 90g (yup, won it!), 40g, 28g, & 10g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water Tank Thread:
|
|
catchoftheday
Guest
Joined: September 01 2014
Location: Saratoga Spring
Status: Offline
Points: 521
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 12:01pm |
|
I run a ATS and love no need for bio pellets at all and cheaper and for my light on my scrubber I use LED
|
|
I currently have a 24 gallon JBJ all in one tank has two powerheads a phosphate reactor with the small bubble skimmer it is also powered by 2 X165 W LEDs and as a mixed reef
|
|
Marcoss
Guest
Joined: November 23 2014
Location: American Fork
Status: Offline
Points: 1277
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 12:10pm |
Thanks Krazie! Great info.
Sorry Ace to take this in the wrong direction.
|
|
RedSea Max S400 - 90G Rimless Frag Tanks x2 - 185 Lookdown Bin
|
|
Krazie4Acans
Admin Group
Joined: December 17 2012
Location: Syracuse
Status: Offline
Points: 24177
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 12:17pm |
|
I don't know too many others that are running bio-pellets. I had two other friends that ran them but they have either left the hobby or switched to sulfur de-nitrators. I hope you get some more responses though so I can see what others are doing as well.
|
My ocean. 90g (yup, won it!), 40g, 28g, & 10g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water Tank Thread:
|
|
Mark Peterson
Paid Member
Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 14 2015 at 4:09pm |
I notice that hobbyists often try it because they want their SPS color to step up a notch. In general, it's quite risky and not worth the hassle. It must be started at a low level and increased gradually.
As far as I can tell, not many tanks use biopellets and even fewer use the other forms of Carbon Dosing, like sugar, vodka, etc.. In my opinion, it's just another of the many fads that I have seen come and go over the years, yet are continually resurrected by new hobbyists who think they have stumbled upon something exceptional.
This old fart prefers to imitate Mother Nature as close as possible. The same organisms that I have seen grow well in carbon dosed tanks do just as well in my tanks for less hassle, less cost and greater tank stability. I believe the reason for my success, if I can claim success, is the amount and variety of natural foods (natural carbon source) that I feed, including Phytoplankton and night feedings.
Aloha, Mark 
|
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
|
