O.C.'s Pellet questions and answers!

[The Grizz]

Wondering if I can use the 2 TLF 150's that I have to run these NP pellets.

[blueyota]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Wondering if I can use the 2 TLF 150's that I have to run these NP pellets.

You can with a couple mods .... I have just got mine to churn just right a couple days ago...
this is what i have done after reading other peoples trial and errors remove the bottom red plate and glued the white tube into the top red plate so it wouldnt fall out then remove the top foam so it wouldnt clog up with mulm and I have put on a 600 gph pump and my pellets are dancing happy

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by blueyota

You can with a couple mods .... I have just got mine to churn just right a couple days ago...
this is what i have done after reading other peoples trial and errors remove the bottom red plate and glued the white tube into the top red plate so it wouldnt fall out then remove the top foam so it wouldnt clog up with mulm and I have put on a 600 gph pump and my pellets are dancing happy

OK so if I am following you correctly, remove both sponge's and glue the center tube into both red ring's & use a pump that make's the pellets tumble nicely.

[Delphinus]

I think it's just glued to the top red plate, and do without the bottom red plate altogether ..

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I think it's just glued to the top red plate, and do without the bottom red plate altogether ..

I just pulled one of the TLF 150's that I have apart and if you don't use the bottom red plate there would be nothing to hold the tube off the bottom of the reactor to allow water to flow into reactor.

[Delphinus]

Er.. maybe I understood wrong. But I thought that was why you need to glue the tube to the top plate. I got the impression the tube just dangles near the bottom and the pellets just fly around as a result.

[GMGQ]

Hi, what are your thoughts about running a biopellet reactor without a skimmer? I want to reduce N & P, as well as provide some food for the frags.

I'm considering running biopellets on my 30gallon frag tank. There's only 1 fish in there, and he's adding to the bioload, so algae is growing in that tank.

From what I read, the main reason for needing a skimmer is to oxygenate the water, as the bacteria uses up the oxygen. I have a maxijet 400 w/ venturi running in my sump to oxygenate the water already, plus my drain sometimes sucks down a gulp of air, and flushes a bunch of micro bubbles into the sump. So i'm thinking that should be sufficient for oxygenation?

If I do run biopellets, I would use a TLF150 reactor and not use that many pellets anyways. Therefore there should not be an excessive amount of bacterial mulm floating around.

So other than the oxygenation issue, is there any other downside to running biopellets without a skimmer?

Thanks in advance.

[globaldesigns]

I personally use the Deltec 509 Fluidizers, they are a bit more money, but need no modifications and operate flawlessly with a MJ 1200. Also you can fit about 1.3L in each.

[Kryptic4L]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

I just pulled one of the TLF 150's that I have apart and if you don't use the bottom red plate there would be nothing to hold the tube off the bottom of the reactor to allow water to flow into reactor.

unless you glue it to the top....


however i run both plates with no foam, and a layer of sewing mesh on top and the bottom. seems to do alright.

[christyf5]

I just flipped the bottom plate over so that it was at the top and the clear tube was hanging down. It just dangles in the biopellets and moves them around that way. I still need a stronger pump though, the MJ1200 isn't cutting it (1L of pellets in a TLF550).