Corals dying

[daniella3d]

pellets...why do I read so many horror stories about them?

[naesco]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

pellets...why do I read so many horror stories about them?

I have to agree with you Daniella. I have read more bio pellet destroyed my reef threads than algae problem threads and I have to post

" if it ain't broke don't fix it" as a warning to others. I know it is not helpful to the OP but I am sure he would post the same warning.

[Seriak]

The horror stories I read were all about people putting too many in and too fast. I went ridiculously slow, but hey who knows. The output is placed toward the input of the skimmer but isn't directly fed into the skimmer, not sure how that would work anyways. I bought the reef octopus reactor that keeps the pellets moving perfectly.

[kien]

Indeed, there are just as many "zeoVit/vodka/sugar crashed my tank!" Stories. I for one have been using bioPellets since they first came out 3 years ago and I jam pack my reactor which isn't even one of those fancy new recirculating reactors.

Anyway, if I was to make a suggestion I would say your alk vs calc do seem out of balance. In a probiotic system it's generally suggested that a lower alk is better. I typically run mine at 7/8 with calcium at 420.

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Seriak

The horror stories I read were all about people putting too many in and too fast. I went ridiculously slow, but hey who knows. The output is placed toward the input of the skimmer but isn't directly fed into the skimmer, not sure how that would work anyways. I bought the reef octopus reactor that keeps the pellets moving perfectly.

Can I ask you why you made the decision to go the pellet route Seriak?

Obviously you had success in keeping SPS? What were you trying to achieve, correct or ??

Thanks

[Seriak]

I was having slightly increased algae growth prior to the pellets. Since I had nothing eliminating PO4 or NO3 other than weekly water changes I decided to implement bio pellets. I also, wanted to start feeding a little heavier for all my LPS. I really don't think my problem is bio-pellet related, but I could be wrong.

[kien]

I have found that pellets don't take down PO4 all that well so I run GFO for that. Pellets destroy nitrates quite well tho. I does take up to 4 weeks to develop enough culture in the pellets to start being effective tho. Cyano is definitely a possible byproduct of running bioPellets initially and for that I just do a treatment of Chemiclean.

[Seriak]

Originally Posted by kien

I have found that pellets don't take down PO4 all that well so I run GFO for that. Pellets destroy nitrates quite well tho. I does take up to 4 weeks to develop enough culture in the pellets to start being effective tho. Cyano is definitely a possible byproduct of running bioPellets initially and for that I just do a treatment of Chemiclean.

I have some GFO on order with Eli, so hopefully that comes in soon, but I am not seeing any PO4 in any of my tests. Maybe Denny will tell me different when I bring him a jug of water today.

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

pellets...why do I read so many horror stories about them?

I agree 100%

I flew home last night for my days off at home. I thought it was really strange that there was a pig on my plane

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

I agree 100%

I flew home last night for my days off at home. I thought it was really strange that there was a pig on my plane

You are getting old and nearsighted my friend. She posted pellets not piglets.