NP "Solid Vodka" Pellets - Is it Really Something New?

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

It seems some people are pushing the "solid vodka" dosing pellets as being revolutionary. I am very interested in the concept and before I soak the bucks into a new reactor, pump, and media I figured I would do a little research. Aqua Medic makes a nitrate reductor that appears to use the same concept. The Deniballs are a carbon based media which fuel the bacteria needed to reduce nitrates. The setup seems to be very reasonably priced at around $300 for the reactor, media, and it even includes the pump. Here is the link http://www.aqua-medic.com/nitrate_reductor.shtml#manual. I may be missing something here and these pellets may in fact be as innovative as they are made out to be but I don't see a huge difference in the NP and Aqua Medic approach. Actually, Aqua Medic seems to put it together in a nicer package. If I am wrong someone please comment, I can go either way, I would just rather spend my money on quality instead of marketing (Microsoft proved to us that you don't need a quality product, just marketing genius, LOL).
One more thing, one of the drawbacks to dosing vodka was stopping and the after effects associated when there wasn't an abundance of carbon to support the bacteria colonies. Would this not be the same if dosing with pellets were to stop?
I really want to jump on this bandwagon but I can't help but be a little skeptical. I would love to set up a reactor and never have to worry about nitrates again, and I do realize that in this hobby, people like NP help advance the technology needed to keep these precious animals alive with the least amount of effort. I guess my dilemma is why haven't we heard anything about the Aqua Medic system? Has anyone used it with success? You know what they say "if its too good to be true, then it probably is".

I also looked in to AquaMedic system and would try it, it is not popular here but people do use it in other countries and it does work. Draw back is dosing, feeding, possible H2S issues and cost.

The only reason i went with NP pellets is that its easy to use with TLF media reactor and small MJ pump. so total cost was just pellets themselves as i already had mj pump and tlf reactor. Plus they claim that it can not be overdosed.
However you bring a good point and asking a right question of what happens when you stop using pellets?

Even though there is NO huge change with using the NP pellets, i can say that there are some notable small improvements like good SPS polyp extention, Hair algae reduction (cheato colony just collapsed recently as well.), somewhat better water clarity.

LPS do NOT like it though and i find myself feeding them more directly now
jmtcw

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by RuGlu6

However you bring a good point and asking a right question of what happens when you stop using pellets?

I took my reactor offline on Saturday and meant to get it back online right away but got distracted and then had to go out of town for a bit ... I can tell you that 2 days later without the pellets back online and things are still humming along..

So at least 2 days without pellets isn't catastrophic.

LPS do NOT like it though and i find myself feeding them more directly now
jmtcw

That's interesting. I had to move my LPS into a different tank because of the butterflies so I can't compare to that but it's reminiscent of those who have LPS issues after starting zeo. It makes me wonder if you need to acclimate them more slowly or try more aggressive target feedings.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

That's interesting. I had to move my LPS into a different tank because of the butterflies so I can't compare to that but it's reminiscent of those who have LPS issues after starting zeo. It makes me wonder if you need to acclimate them more slowly or try more aggressive target feedings.

English is not my first language and I had to look up reminiscent LOL

http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_18...miniscent.html

Yes, i think you may be right, i started with 250 ml of pellets on 66 gal +sump tank. But hey, feeding is fun !

[Delphinus]

Sorry, just meant it reminded me of the stories I've heard of LPS and starting Zeovit.

[nlreefguy]

The biggest downside of the Aquamedic reactor (I have run one with great success) is that if you don't have an ORP controller or at least an ORP monitor that you're nearly constantly checking and fiddling with flow rate, then your anaerobic culture will start to produce acidic outflow, as someone as already pointed out. At best, this lowers your pH, at worst it kills everything in your tank if you're not there to make adjustments for a while. And I've had everything happen to me with that unit before I got the ORP controller. In the end, I did like it and acieved great success with it at maintaining 0 nitrates but the bad ca definitely outweigh the good if it used without the proper care.

[viperfish]

Thanks for all of the feedback folks. The wealth of knowledge here is nothing short of impressive and if it works for you, I'm game. I'm not partial to Aqua Medic by any stretch, I just want a product that works and from what I am hearing it does (in the short term anyway). Reefbuilders announced it as something that "may usher in a new era of reefing", that's a pretty bold statement for any product. Even after reading this in Reefbuilders, I guess I feel more confident after hearing it from you guys.