Aug 18, 2014
Robert Thomas
wrote
I just brought a Reef Octopus nitrate bio reactor ( Bio churn 90 EXT HOB) and the pellets seem to move faster than expected. I tried the the little turn knob on the pump but didn't help much. Are those pellets supposed to turn that fast? I thought It was supposed to slowly churn. I only put 200 1/2 of the dose at first, but still. Any way to slow the rate or is it set to a standard rate of flow?
Reply
8 Answers
Aug 18, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
What kind of pellets are you using? What brand?
Aug 18, 2014
Robert Thomas
wrote
The pellets that came with it.
Aug 18, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Did you soak the pellets in water overnight before using them? If not, they probably have air trapped within them and as the pellets expel that air, they will get heavier and will not move as fast as they do if you add dry pellets to the reactor.
They are supposed to move someone what fast and not really slow.
They are supposed to move someone what fast and not really slow.
Aug 18, 2014
Robert Thomas
wrote
No.....didnt soak them. No direction telling me to. They came with the reactor in the box. AGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!! Now what do I do? There are no directions in the box telling me that.
Aug 18, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Just let them be. They will be fine. They will move around a little bit but then they will settle down as the reactor breaks in. Nothing to worry about it. It is going to take some time for the reactor to kick in as well... usually takes 6 months for you to really start seeing the effects of the reactor.
Aug 18, 2014
Robert Thomas
wrote
The reactor said to use 400l I only used the 200l (trial provided) do I have to use the full dose to work? Why does it take so long to provide the desired effects?
Aug 18, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Yes, please start slow. Biopellets provide a source of carbon for the bacteria to feed on and thrive and reproduce. They do not provide you with the actual bacteria.
Depending on your tank, it will take a few months for your bacteria to reach a balance between the biopellets, the bacteria, and your tank.
By starting slow, you provide a small amount of carbon that the bacteria will consume but not excess carbon for you to have a cyano bloom. Once the pellets are almost consumed, you add more pellets than before and let the bacteria catch up. You repeat this process until you get 0 readings on Nitrates and Phosphates.
Depending on your tank, it will take a few months for your bacteria to reach a balance between the biopellets, the bacteria, and your tank.
By starting slow, you provide a small amount of carbon that the bacteria will consume but not excess carbon for you to have a cyano bloom. Once the pellets are almost consumed, you add more pellets than before and let the bacteria catch up. You repeat this process until you get 0 readings on Nitrates and Phosphates.
Aug 18, 2014
Robert Thomas
wrote
Ok Thx