Are Bio Pellets Still A Thing?

[Bigfish]

Just wondering if anyone still uses them, as you don't hear much about them anymore. If so, which brand and reactor do you use? I ran the tlf brand in a tlf reactor years ago and was thinking of setting it back up again.

 

[TORX]

Still a thing for sure.

Vertex pellets on a Reef Octopus Bio-churn 120r. Huge investment and worth it for me.

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[teebone110]

I used to use bio pellets for several years and found they stripped my nutrients too much for my liking.

For my current system, I have discontinued pellets and went with AquaForest bacteria dosing to manage my nitrate and phosphate and it has been successful. Less fuss with good results. I only had to dose for a short initial period until things were balanced and it’s been on cruise control ever since

 

[Salty Cracker]

Still use pellets. I have the pump run only spradically during the day, seems to keep a nice balance in the tank. 1 year old and I haven't had any outbreak of anything, substrate is relatively clean, sps growing fine.

 

[Bigfish]

Sounds like the recirculating reactors are the better choice over one such as the tlf. If i remember correctly, mine used to clump up all the time and the screens would often get clogged reducing the flow.

 

[TORX]

Recirculating reactors are best on large tanks with a large volume of pellets. It allows for more circulation without blasting water out of it. By recirculating it allows the bacteria to survive longer before exiting the reactor and eventually death by skimmer.

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[Bigfish]

I've got a 120g with 40g sump. Think a recirculating reactor would be neccesary? I would start off at half the ammount and go from there.

 

[TORX]

Sounds about right. You should probably start around 25% suggested though. A recirculating reactor would be perfect. You probably remember correctly, unless water is blasting through the reactor, you probably were clumping. Go for the recirc

 

[Bigfish]

Still use pellets. I have the pump run only spradically during the day, seems to keep a nice balance in the tank. 1 year old and I haven't had any outbreak of anything, substrate is relatively clean, sps growing fine.

I would have thought they would go aerobic when left stagnant in the reactor.

 

[Bigfish]

Are the different pellet brands basically the same? I have a pretty much full bag of the tlf brand left that I may as well use, up assuming nothing would go bad with them as they are plastic. Also, should a bacteria starter be used when starting up? I recall using something to seed them in the past.

 

[Salty Cracker]

I would have thought they would go aerobic when left stagnant in the reactor.

If the pump is off for an extended time, like more than 24 hours, there is a nasty smell that comes out of the output, but for being off for a couple of hours here and there, doesn't seem to be any ill effects. Again, it's a kathleen wynne gift to my fish. Every kilowatt counts.

 

[Bigfish]

If the pump is off for an extended time, like more than 24 hours, there is a nasty smell that comes out of the output, but for being off for a couple of hours here and there, doesn't seem to be any ill effects. Again, it's a kathleen wynne gift to my fish. Every kilowatt counts.

She is a real gem, isn't she!