Blog Comments

Thanks mledford. That's the first real explanation I've seen on what exactly they do for a system. I've been hearing all sorts of claims, including that they provide more food for SPS corals. Was beginning to sound like just another snake oil to me.

(I could be incorrect here) But my understanding of the bio pellets is to provide an alternate carbon source for beneficial bacteria growth. This concept is the same as Vodka dosing.
Bio Pellets are a unique carbon based polymer that doubles as a substrate and food source for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Like adding a liquid carbon source such as Vodka or VSV, we still cannot control what bacteria are growing–however, these pellets should inherently provide more control through the location that the bacterial growth occurs (on the pellets!). It has been referred to as the Solid Vodka method for the large bacterial biomass that can be generated and then exported via protein skimming. The pellets will allow aerobic growth of bacteria which consequently will consume nitrate and phosphate simultaneously. The bacteria will use up the carbon from the BioPellets, whilst nitrogen and phosphorus are taken from the water as nitrate and (ortho)phosphate. This conversion of organic BioPellets (together with inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus) into microbial biomass is called immobilization. In addition, anaerobic layers will develop, resulting in additional denitrification.

I have had my Next Reef SMR1 Reactor going for a couple weeks now. There are no "visible" signs of any growth inside the reactor, just a gentle tumbling of the bio pellets. My skimmer is skimming out more junk, as well as more productive.

The reactor is not needed, neither is the tumbling. The reactor simply does two things, it keeps the beneficial bacteria growing in one place(as opposed to your whole tank) and the tumbling makes the media more efficient (buy not letting it clump and giving you all the surface area). The output being as close to the skimmer intake as possible is to reduce the chances of cyano in the tank and export the bacterial from the consumption of the nitrates and phosphates. Otherwise the bacterial waste would still be in the system and start the whole nitrogen cycle all over.

I haven't don't much research into bio-pellets, but am I correct that the pellets feed bacteria that also absorb nitrate? Then the skimmer pulls out the bacteria to remove the nitrate from the system? Same basic theory as vodka then?

no the reactor is used because the media needs to be tumbled so the bacteria can grow on it, more of a house for the bacteria to grow. also the cyano problem also has been reported with the pellets, as this a new method there is still some learning to do. i myself and other reefers in my local club who use bio pellets have had the cyano problem(not really a problem just shows up in small amounts), it seems as we kill off the other algaes the stronger cyano moves in but will also go away. the media is not being skimmed out, it is consumed by bacteria and the nitrates that are removed must be skimmed so really its more of "poop" from the good bacteria and needs to be removed. im not totaly sure or an expert but from my readings this is what i have come to understand.

It is only supposed to be working in the reactor, otherwise you could just throw the loose media in your tank or sump. The reactor use is supposed to stop the cyano problem that came with vodka dosing.

Yeah, I need to get it closer I guess. But that brings up a question. What good does the reactor media do if if is mostly being skimmed out?

i second the ziptie method, thats how i have mine, remeber the by product is Co2 from the reactor

I reccomend getting the output closer to your skimmer intake. ziptie to the skimmer line if need be. looks good though i chose black tubing as well.

Keep in mind that the Hannah PO4 meters have an error margin of 0.03 +/- So your 0.04 could in fact be either 0.01 or 0.07. The goal is to try and keep it around 0.03 because actually our corals need PO4 in order to eat and survive, they just don't like too much of it.

As far as skimming wetter, I prefer that method too. Its not as satisfying pulling a cup full of lime green water out as opposed to a thick sludgy green, but I feel that it helps keep the neck slightly cleaner between collection cup cleanings and also might help pull out slightly more junk.

Skimm wetter? Is it not skimming as much as you expected? I am not trying to harp on this, it is just that it is my understanding that even with a carbon source you come to a point where the organics are getting so low that the skimmer will settle back to a more normal rate. If there is something that I am missing with this understanding please let me know, I find all this very fascinating

Just a thought that crossed my mind, is it possible that when you removed the GFO you increased the load that the Ecobak pellets need to handle making it take longer than expected to get to zero?

A further update: 11/7/2010. I have been running the Ecobak pellets since 9/15. This is getting close to 2 months. I tested my PO4 (phosphates) this morning with my Hanna Phosphate meter, and I was at .04. And this was after a 20g water change yesterday. Kinda surprised me that is was not lower. There are several factors for me to consider. One, I may not have enough pellets. I used less than instructed at first, as I didn't want to overdo it starting out. I may need to add more and use a larger reactor. Two, I am not sure if my tumble rate is optimal. They are moving around decently, but to shear off the biofilm from them and get some output, I am wondering if I need them tumbling more aggressively. Third, I may need to skim more agressively. I might need to skim wetter to pull more out. These are some of the factors I am looking at. I think the main factor is getting a bigger reactor with more pellets. I am using a small Phosban 150 that will not hold the amount of pellets suggested for my size tank with about 180g water volume. I am using 500ml of pellets and per Warmer Marines directions, I should be using at least 750ml. I may add more and report back, as well as skim wetter. My goal is to get down around .00 Po4 and be ULNS.

Looks sharp. I like it.

Your tank really looks beautiful OneReef! ;-)

Looks incredible!!!!!

Really nice ! I wish I could run Radiums.

The container I bought at Target I think. I think it was some sort of huge dry dog food container. The basket I bought at Garden Ridge. I am not sure if that is a chain or not. It is a home and garden type store.

Quick update, I took out my GFO and added the pellets on 9/15. Po4 was at .03 at the time checked on Hanna Phosphate meter, as will all my checks be by. 9/26 phosphates went up to .04, i guess due to missing GFO and bacteria not built up yet. Took my refugium out of the sump and cleaned that section out on 9/28. Phosphates were at .04 at that time too. Last check was on 10/9 and I was at .03 again, with no GFO and no refugium. I am close to being up and running with pellets for 4 weeks now. I am anxious to see if I can get it down around 0.00 in the next few weeks and months. I have bumped up my SPS feeding with amino acids and Oyster Feast for when the phosphates drop more. I have noticed some nice growth lately, but making so many changes at one time, it is hard to tell what is working best, or if is a combination of all of this: added pellets, more SPS specific feeding, and went from 150w to 250w MH. Looking good so far though.

I think the bucket said they test at 35 which I believe is around 1.026 or thereabouts.

Let me see if I can help.

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