O.C.'s Pellet questions and answers!

loveless · #1 04-25-2010, 05:22 PM

OK for all of you that have been running the pellets for a while, can anyone give a general time line for them to start working???

My vertex reactor and 1L of pellets have been up and running for 3 and a half weeks now, thursday is 4 weeks. From what it seems on here the time for them to start doing their thing is fairly short. But so far nothing on my end seems to be happening.

I have tried testing the water from the tank and from the reactor both are around the 10ppm range, hard to get an accurate reading with the color test kits. I have also purchased a new test kit which is giving me the same readings.

So can anyone give a general timeline for them to start working????

Thanks
Cam

OceanicCorals-Ian- · #2 04-25-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loveless

OK for all of you that have been running the pellets for a while, can anyone give a general time line for them to start working???

My vertex reactor and 1L of pellets have been up and running for 3 and a half weeks now, thursday is 4 weeks. From what it seems on here the time for them to start doing their thing is fairly short. But so far nothing on my end seems to be happening.

I have tried testing the water from the tank and from the reactor both are around the 10ppm range, hard to get an accurate reading with the color test kits. I have also purchased a new test kit which is giving me the same readings.

So can anyone give a general timeline for them to start working????

Thanks
Cam

You should be seeing results by now, what is the flow through the Reactor? How much are you using? Are you running UV or GFO?

Give us some stats....

loveless · #3 04-25-2010, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanicCorals-Ian-

You should be seeing results by now, what is the flow through the Reactor? How much are you using? Are you running UV or GFO?

Give us some stats....

Ok

I an running a MJ1200, the pellets are tumbling just like all the Utube vids. No UV, no GFO. Im using 1L of pellets.

Also, I saw one post mention the reactor output had Zero nitrate. Is this a generally true statement? Or should I be expecting something in the 5-10 range?

Thanks for the reply

Cam

OceanicCorals-Ian- · #4 04-25-2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loveless

Ok

I an running a MJ1200, the pellets are tumbling just like all the Utube vids. No UV, no GFO. Im using 1L of pellets.

Also, I saw one post mention the reactor output had Zero nitrate. Is this a generally true statement? Or should I be expecting something in the 5-10 range?

Thanks for the reply

Cam

The output is not always zero as it really depends on what the Nitrate levels are going in. Maybe slow your flow down just a little to allow more reaction time. Also you may want to try dosing some Zeo Bak or Brightwell Microbacter 7, both of these will inoculate your system and help prevent a monoculture situation.

loveless · #5 04-25-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanicCorals-Ian-

The output is not always zero as it really depends on what the Nitrate levels are going in. Maybe slow your flow down just a little to allow more reaction time. Also you may want to try dosing some Zeo Bak or Brightwell Microbacter 7, both of these will inoculate your system and help prevent a monoculture situation.

As far as the Nitrate at zero, I just more or less compare colors of the tests. And so far every test the colors are the same for both tank and reactor (around the 10 mark) keep in mind this is a fairly new setup so there shouldnt be a whole lot of build up. Does the fact of the tank being new, about three months, have any bearing on things????

I will try slowing down the flow and maybe look into some additives.

Marlin65 · #6 04-26-2010, 04:14 AM

I hooked up mine but am having a hard time to get them tumbling. I have them in a custom made canister with an 800 rio hooked up to it. I have good flow but they are not tumbling is this okay with good flow?

Finley · #7 04-26-2010, 08:12 PM

Ian,
Just to clarify, if I purchase this system which is the vertex package.

http://www.oceaniccorals.com/store/i...&productId=355

And hook up this pump I already have.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/wp...ater+Pump.html

I should be good to go? I will obviously need tubing, clamps etc.

When I plumb this in which part of the sump does it draw from and return to.

How many bio pellets do I put in the vertex and which vertex model for a 160g system with a 40g sump.

Thanks,
Chris

OceanicCorals-Ian- · #8 04-26-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin65

I hooked up mine but am having a hard time to get them tumbling. I have them in a custom made canister with an 800 rio hooked up to it. I have good flow but they are not tumbling is this okay with good flow?

Without seeing a video I can't comment for certain but you want to make sure every single Bead is tumbling in the reactor. If any are allowed to clump together they will stick and then possibly turn anoxic creating Hydrogen sulfide gas among other issues. Always make sure the Beads are tumbling wildly!

Ian
O.C.