biobellets any regrets

[spit.fire]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Dammit a poll I can't vote in cuz I know nothing about bio pellets. But if anyone's interested I have a bag of Vertex bio pellets if anyone wants them for free. The bags opened though.

I'd be all over that if you were out this way

[Mike-fish]

Eli and emerald crab please post why you removed them

[Cal_stir]

I had 2 systems, both established and doing well, decided to experiment with one system, built a recirculating bio pellet reactor, ran BRS pellets with the effluent aimed directly into my skimmer intake, followed BRS recommendations on the amount of pellets. After @ a week I noticed some hair algae, I tried increasing the flow, after @ a month the hair algae was a plague, I removed the pellets, increased my gfo and carbon, tried removing the algae physically, increased water changes, even tried algaefix, now I have 1 system, no pellets and no algae, no problems.

[Reef Pilot]

Been running bio pellets for about 3 years now. Cleared up a major nitrate (up to 100ppm) problem on a 10 year running tank that I inherited. Trick is to start slowly and use MB7 to prevent cyano.

Have been at zero nitrates more than a year now, and my bio pellet consumption in my reactor has declined to almost nothing. Last time I touched it to add bio pellets was over a year ago. Am thinking of disconnecting it, to see what happens.

I have the Vertex UF20 reactor using the Vertex bio pellets. Bought a new pack at last year's boxing day, and still haven't opened it.

What are your nitrates at? Unless you can't bring them down with standard husbandry practices, or have a very heavy bio load, why are you planning to use bio pellets?

And I use IO salt. My tank runs around 8 most of the time, but varies between 7 -9, and I adjust my doser as required. IO does mix higher alk, but my consumption is also high at this time with my corals, so I don't mind. And I only change 20% water every 3 weeks.

[RSM]

I have been using Vertex bio-pellets for 2 years now. Within the first year it bleached my SPS, plate corals and leathers but lowered my nitrates. I use reef crystals and add some trace elements in between a monthly water change and everything is really happy. Start slow!

Iphone video of the tank http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbEs65aw7kc

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by spit.fire

I'd be all over that if you were out this way

It's not like they're taking up a lot of space. I'll hang on to them and drop them off to you next time I'm out that way