Bio Pellets

[ktipp]

How often are you replacing your Bio Pellets?

And if you don't mind what pellets have you found to be the best? I need round pellets...

Thanks

[The_wolfeman]

You never really fully "replace" pellets but instead top them off as needed. Some good round pellets I've heard of are Dr. Tim's pearls and ecobak pellets. Big_pun is a big fan of the pearls, maybe he'll chime in.


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[Big_Pun]

chime!

i measure out what i need pour them in reactor and with a sharpie mark the top of the pellets. ill turn off the reactor every month see how much has dissolved, top off when 1/4 is consumed

[The_wolfeman]

There he is! And there's your answer.

Which pellets do you recommend Chris?


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[Big_Pun]

There he is! And there's your answer.

Which pellets do you recommend Chris?


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from what ive seen and used, you cant go wrong with eco bak, dr tims(one of my fave), and even brs. in the beginning they all looked diff and i used eco bak, but now they all look the same. dr tims is made in US and states the ingredients, which is why i like them.

[ktipp]

ok, thx.

So if I understand correctly, I will never remove any but they will over time dissolve and I will need to add more every month or so. Just need to keep an eye on it.

I have only been running pellets since 9/29/13...



Thanks

[The_wolfeman]

That is correct

[Scutterborn]

The bio pellet is a carbon source to feed bacteria creating a larger colony of nitrifying bacteria. They consume the pellet over a period of time and, henceforth, need to be replenished.


- Ben -

[Reef Swimmer]

Not to steal your thread ktipp. But how does a calcuim reactor work.

[Zen Reef]

Not to steal your thread ktipp. But how does a calcuim reactor work.

Lol...really??

[ktipp]

No prob David. Not sure though. I do not have a Calcium reactor.

I recommend searching the site for Calcium Reactor threads, and if you still do not find the answer you should start a new thread so the heading/subject line reads Calcium Reactor. You will get more responses that way.

KT

[rrasco]

I've been running ecobak since early August. I've just recently added a little, but I started very slow with less than 1/4 of the recommended amount in an attempt not to shock my tank.

Ben, while that is the general concept, I don't think it's nitrifying bacteria. I am more inclined to say its denitrifying bacteria as this is meant to be a means of nitrate export as opposed to converting ammonia to nitrate (nitrifying). On that note, I still don't think that's the right type of bacteria, as denitrifying bacteria would complete the ammonia nitrogen cycle and convert nitrates to nitrogen gas (think DSB). The bacteria that carbon dosing promotes still requires an export method, most commonly through foam fractionation (skimming).

[Big_Pun]

heres a good read on probiotics

http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/probiotics-demystified

[BBQHILLBILLY]

nice read thks

[rrasco]

Excellent article. Rather long but necessary. If I had to summarize it in once sentence, a quote FTA:


Heterotrophic bacteria consume the pellets, requiring periodic replenishment, typically every three to six months.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

who has pellets here in town? looks like i am running low. Maybe 3 cups.