Bio-pellet Reactors: whats good whats bad

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by Mrfish55

You mean as in run it thru the pellet reactor and the output direct into the skimmer? The only problem I believe that creates is the flow to keep the pellets tumbling may be too much flow, as I mentioned previous, I think some of the problems people are having with the pellets is a result of too much flow ( only my opinion, not based on any actual scientific study) but I must have been on to something as I have been running my recirc reactor for quite some time and now there is companies comming out with recirc models for exactly that reason, I can controll the amount of pellet tumble independent of the dose rate, if I can get some pics up hopefully it will make sense, kinda hard to explain it.

I've actually switched to VSV dosing from pellets because with pellets it's hard to adjust the amount of flow through the reactor without disrupting the function of the fluidized reactor. I've seen too many instances of people using pellets and reducing their params to zero, and then continuing to run pellets ageessively. IMO, this is the cause of so many pellet related crashes.

So as stated above, recirc style is the route I'd go. You can easily convert any reactor to recirc with a few pieces of tubing and some valves.

[kien]

There are a bunch of people, myself included, who run GFO with bioPellets. For me the biopellets remove nitrates just fine, and do an OK job with phosphates but not stellar. I supplement the phosphate removal by running GFO as well. I use two Vertex UF-20 reactors for pellets and a TLF 150 for GFO. Two years running now.

[kobelka]

@ the Grizz,
I am going to put a tlf 150 with biopellets online and wondered if you could post a quick explanation of the mod you have done to make it work well?
Thanks

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by kobelka

@ the Grizz,
I am going to put a tlf 150 with biopellets online and wondered if you could post a quick explanation of the mod you have done to make it work well?
Thanks

It a simple round plastic mesh that I found at Michleas, they are about 4" round with small square holes. Take out the foam and replace it with 2 of these mesh circles, bottom and top where the foam should be ( you have to cut them to fit ). And for flow for an example: in my NextReef MR1 recommended flow was 1200 gph but it was not enough for 1000 ml of pellets so I have a 2500 gph pump feeding it. I believe I used a MJ1200 on my TLF and had a great tumble and never had it clog on me.

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by kobelka

@ the Grizz,
I am going to put a tlf 150 with biopellets online and wondered if you could post a quick explanation of the mod you have done to make it work well?
Thanks

Get rid of the foam and get the kit to modify your reactor here:
http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/tf...n+Reactor.html
or mesh from Michaels will work too, I just hate the fake flower smell in that place.

[Lampshade]

+1 on the kit if you're using a TLF. My TLF 500 started clumping up after a year so i modded it by taking out the bottom plate, and putting the downspout against the side so that the pellets would "roll" inside the reactor. Works great. Here's a video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9oOnUT5mHM

[sphelps]

Anyone have experience with the BRS reactor or similar type they can share?
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...t-reactor.html

[chris121277]

Sorry don't mean to hi-jack here.....but I'm about to put pellets on line tonight.....and wondered what everyone recommended to start out with......ei, I was thinking of starting with 250ml on a 130 gal system

Is there an optimal ml per gal for starting out with?