GFO *and* Bio-Pellets ?

Bblinks · #1 04-17-2011, 08:55 AM

If you run pellets you need to also run a phosphate removing agent like rowa, when np pellets first came out it was said that it is not necessary to run phosphate remover as the bacteria will take care of both elements, but obviously that wasn't the case as most reefer found out when nitrate is depleted, the left over phosphate will slowly creep back up again.
As of now, I am running 2 nextreef reactor for pellets and rowa. I test phos quite frequently and as soon as I get a reading of 0.02(hanna checket) I change out the rowa.Pellets are top up every 3-4 month. Carbon is ran passively as I found this method fairly effective. If you need more info, Jeff @ JL aquatics has more info on this subject. I believe he has contacted a few bio pellet companies to find out the details about them.

DiverDude · #2 04-17-2011, 08:41 PM

You bring up another good point -the flow through each media is often different so doing dual (in series) reactors off the same pump, while saving the cost and enrgy of a second pump, may cause problems when one media needs more flow than the other.

3 seaparate reactors and 3 pumps seems excessive to me though. Does anyone do this or do they use separate reactors and plumb them in parallel ?

abcha0s · #3 04-17-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abcha0s

I run two biopellet reactors, a carbon reactor and a GFO reactor off one pump. You need to be a little creative in balancing the runs and making sure there are no surges when you take a reactor offline, but generally speaking I am happy with this approach.

I run these 4 reactors in parallel. I have a 5th tee that runs back to the tank without going through a reactor. When I want to take a reactor offline, I open this 5th line to release the pressure. When all of the reactors are oppetational, the 5th tee is closed.

- Brad