Aug 18, 2014
Joshua Krzych
wrote
I have had a Space Saving Reef Octopus Biopellet Reactor running since April 2014. It has not made a dent whatsoever in my nitrates. and I barely feed my poor fish. the tank consists of a medium PBT, small hippo, two maroons, six line wrasse, hawkfish, flame fish, royal gramma in a 280 gallon tank / 75 gallon sump with plenty of live rock.
I also do a LOT of water changes, 200+ gallons a month with RO/DI. The replacement water tests at 0 for nitrates, tank water tests at 50+
My skimmer is a Vertex 250 and pulls some nastinesss out.
There were no instructions on how much media to add or how how fast the flow should be or how long I can expect before I start seeing results.
Can someone give me a hint?
I also do a LOT of water changes, 200+ gallons a month with RO/DI. The replacement water tests at 0 for nitrates, tank water tests at 50+
My skimmer is a Vertex 250 and pulls some nastinesss out.
There were no instructions on how much media to add or how how fast the flow should be or how long I can expect before I start seeing results.
Can someone give me a hint?
Reply
5 Answers
Aug 19, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Can you please tell me what model and how much media are you currently using?
Usually biopellet reactors have to be introduced into the tank slowly. This means that you add only little amount of pellets at the time. Also, biopellet reactors can take up to 6 months before you start to see actual results. Remember that biopellet reactors provide the carbon for bacteria to feed on. The reactor does not provide the actual bacteria. So you have to allow the bacteria to catch up to the food provided. The carbon provides the food so that bacteria can thrive and as the bacteria grows, so will the consumption of the biopellets and also your nitrates and phosphates. It is all about reaching a balance between the bacteria, biopellets and bioload in your tank.
Usually biopellet reactors have to be introduced into the tank slowly. This means that you add only little amount of pellets at the time. Also, biopellet reactors can take up to 6 months before you start to see actual results. Remember that biopellet reactors provide the carbon for bacteria to feed on. The reactor does not provide the actual bacteria. So you have to allow the bacteria to catch up to the food provided. The carbon provides the food so that bacteria can thrive and as the bacteria grows, so will the consumption of the biopellets and also your nitrates and phosphates. It is all about reaching a balance between the bacteria, biopellets and bioload in your tank.
Aug 19, 2014
Joshua Krzych
wrote
Thanks for the response!
I have a "Space Saving Reef Octopus Biopellet Reactor" http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/space-saving-reef-octopus-biopellet-reactor-1.html
I also added 1/2 GALLON - BRS BULK BIOPELLETS to it. I did do it all at once since the instructions did not say anything about that.
I also added bacteria to the tank at the same time. The tank has been running for three years now.
I have a "Space Saving Reef Octopus Biopellet Reactor" http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/space-saving-reef-octopus-biopellet-reactor-1.html
I also added 1/2 GALLON - BRS BULK BIOPELLETS to it. I did do it all at once since the instructions did not say anything about that.
I also added bacteria to the tank at the same time. The tank has been running for three years now.
Aug 19, 2014
Joshua Krzych
wrote
Here is a link of a vid I shot this AM of the reactor. Does this flow look ok?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pswi5S9vy3E&list=UU-dg6h7HGikJbV3bE6A5qKA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pswi5S9vy3E&list=UU-dg6h7HGikJbV3bE6A5qKA
Aug 19, 2014
Joshua Krzych
wrote
My bad, it's a
BR-2000SS
BR-2000SS
Aug 20, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
That looks like it is working properly and the pellets are tumbling as they should.