NP Pellets and Vertex Filter in our SPS tank

Red Coral Aquariums · #1 03-08-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

The FOWLR tanks could benefit from having these pellets run on them too

You are right Kien but I will start with the SPS system.
Kevin

Delphinus · #2 03-09-2010, 01:34 AM

I am never running a tank without these things again, reef or FOWLR or whatever the case in between. Unless it can be proven to be the start of the zombie apocalypse. In which case I might have to give serious consideration to tailing back a little. "Hmmmm, nitrates or zombies... nitrates or zombies. But look how much happier my fish are!"

banditpowdercoat · #3 03-09-2010, 01:49 AM

Zombies can be killed easily, Nitrates takes Bio Pellets!!!

Lance · #4 03-09-2010, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I am never running a tank without these things again, reef or FOWLR or whatever the case in between. Unless it can be proven to be the start of the zombie apocalypse. In which case I might have to give serious consideration to tailing back a little. "Hmmmm, nitrates or zombies... nitrates or zombies. But look how much happier my fish are!"

Hey Tony; now that you have a nutrient-depleted tank are you going to give SPS a whirl again? Happy fish and healthy SPS are definitely worth a few zombies!

Red Coral Aquariums · #5 03-09-2010, 11:05 PM

Day 1

Salifert Test kits

Nitrates 12
DKH 7
Calcium 490
Mag 1190
PH 8.1
Salinity 1.025

Well I set up the Vertex UF-15 and I like it. The fittings are 1/2" which are nice so I can hard plumb it with PVC and not hosing. I am running it on a 500GPH pump that has a 1/2" out easy to plumb and I have the ball valve closed a little(nice option as you can get the correct pellet tumble). We will begin the waiting and testing game now.

Kevin

chris88 · #6 04-18-2010, 01:21 AM

Any updates? Do you always run your DKH at 7. I find i get better results at around 9. A befor and after picture would be great to track the progress as well. By the way the Two sps colonies you sent me turned out awesome. The monti has a great open branche shape with killer red color under my t5's and the deep water acro will be a beauty when i color it up a bit.

Red Coral Aquariums · #7 04-18-2010, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris88

Any updates? Do you always run your DKH at 7. I find i get better results at around 9.

I have stepped up the DKH dosing so I am at about 8 right now. I also stepped up my mag. to about 1230 and my Cal has dropped to 440.
I am still looking for that sweet spot I guess. It changes so fast with water going in and out so much I prefer to keep my levels at the medium levels in case any swing one way or the other.
You ordered a couple sweet acros. Great that they are doing good.

Update on the NP pellets:

I am find that my nitrates are undetectable but it hasn't improved my coloring. One thing I am amazed about is that tank requires 1/10th the cleaning maintenance now. I rarely get any green film on the glass.

I was talking to Kien (thanks) the other day and he brought up a good point about running carbon along with the pellets. Since the pellets it seems will not remove the chemical discharge from SPS that it makes sense to utilize carbon for that purpose.

I am so far happy with their results.

Kevin

chris88 · #8 04-18-2010, 05:01 AM

I have found that cal 440 mag 1300 and alk 9 is the sweet spot for growth. I also find if your nutrients are low which they will be soon with the np bio pellets, sps really need amino acids or some kind of feeding like coral frenzy or something with a very small particle size. I would love to see some before and after pics. i here great things about the np's bp. I personally does vinegar supersaturated with kalk but i have been thinking about switching to bio pelltes once i get a nice reactor to run them in.