biopellets and cyano treatment

[George]

Originally Posted by josie

so the best thing to do is suction out the most cyano I can and leave the biobeads do the rest?

Yes, I think that's the best action plan. And remember cyanobacteria is a bacteria also so it may also use the biobeads as a food source. So start with a small amount of biobeads, increasing the amount slowly, and make sure no biobeads are leaking into the tank.

[josie]

thanks

here's the pic of the biobeads reactor



the pic does not show it well, but biobeads are moving good inside

[DiverDude]

I've had major algae problems since I started running pellets. I have a small system volume (~35 gal) but I'm only running ~200ml of pellets. It's not just cyano either, I've got diatoms and wicked hair algae as well.

I'm actually thinking of stopping the pellets until I can get the algae under control and then start back up with about 100ml and go from there.

Frustrating !

[Lance]

If you can, place the discharge from your pellet reactor near to the skimmer intake. (This is recommended by the makers of the pellets). Then, some of the effluent from the reactor will be immediatlely skimmed out of the water column.

[DiverDude]

Originally Posted by Lance

If you can, place the discharge from your pellet reactor near to the skimmer intake. (This is recommended by the makers of the pellets). Then, some of the effluent from the reactor will be immediatlely skimmed out of the water column.

I'd hear this but it didn't seem to make any sense to me ! (still doesn't). Unfortunately I don't have that option anyhow as the reactor is on the other end of the sump and I can't move it.

*sigh* one day I'll get a proper setup and things may get simpler.

[Lance]

Originally Posted by DiverDude

I'd hear this but it didn't seem to make any sense to me ! (still doesn't). Unfortunately I don't have that option anyhow as the reactor is on the other end of the sump and I can't move it.

*sigh* one day I'll get a proper setup and things may get simpler.

Sure, it makes perfectly good sense. The pellets are supposed to lower the nutrients in your system. Instead of pumping the excess bacteria into the system, the skimmer takes it out. When the nutrient level is down to where you want it you can then use the bacteria as a food source for filter feeders.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I think it also has to do with the fact that nitrate consuming bacteria are anaerobic (usually as far as I know) and the skimmer also aerates the discharge water before it goes into your display.