What method for reducing nitrates/phosphates do you use?

[Reef Pilot]

I use GFO to keep my phosphates down, and bio-pellets to keep nitrates at near zero. I also use MB7 with my bio pellets to prevent mulm and cyano. Works great for me.

Go to post #30 of my journal (link below) to see all my tank husbandry practices.

[Aquattro]

I tried vodka, no luck. Switched to biopellets, no better luck. Switched back to Zeo, too early to tell.

[Reef Pilot]

And if you browse through the first few pages of my journal, you can see some of my early struggles with nitrates before I finally figured it out. A couple years ago (also documented in my journal) I experimented with decommissioning my bio pellet reactor. That turned out to be a big mistake, as the nitrates returned with a vengeance and took many months to get them under control again.

[crimper]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

And if you browse through the first few pages of my journal, you can see some of my early struggles with nitrates before I finally figured it out. A couple years ago (also documented in my journal) I experimented with decommissioning my bio pellet reactor. That turned out to be a big mistake, as the nitrates returned with a vengeance and took many months to get them under control again.

What Biopellet do you use Walter?

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by crimper

What Biopellet do you use Walter?

I have always used the Vertex ones, not sure if they are all the same. 1000 ml lasts about 2 years, or more (although consumed much faster initially).

[Animal-Chin]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

I have always used the Vertex ones, not sure if they are all the same. 1000 ml lasts about 2 years, or more (although consumed much faster initially).

So cost wise it's a biopellet reactor and pellets every 2 years? I'm guessing the 2 little fishes phosban reactor isn't good enough for pellets? I have one that was modified for them but have never used it, got it free in a trade a few years ago...

[Ryanerickson]

I poop scoop after my fish keeps the tank clean.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Animal-Chin

So cost wise it's a biopellet reactor and pellets every 2 years? I'm guessing the 2 little fishes phosban reactor isn't good enough for pellets? I have one that was modified for them but have never used it, got it free in a trade a few years ago...

Not really familiar with that reactor. The important thing is to have a tall one to allow enough room for the bio pellets to tumble properly without clumping and floating up and getting stuck at the top.

I have the old UF20 Vertex reactor (not sure the name of the current replacement model). Works very well. I don't even use a pump for it. Just have a T off the return pump, and control the flow with the reactor ball valve on the input side. Important to have the reactor flow output go to your skimmer input.

And it is totally maintenance free. Usually run it for over a year before adding more pellets.

[Reef-Geek]

I never used this product myself but it has lots of good reviews, it supposes to be more efficient than vodka

Red Sea Reef Foundation for Aquarium NO3:PO4-X 1-Liter

http://www.amazon.ca/Red-Sea-Reef-Fo...2890058&sr=8-1

[kien]

I installed BioPellets within a few months of starting up my current tank (6 years ago), and haven't felt the need to try anything else.

I know of people who have tried virtually all the various methods. In fact, I'm sure we will continue to hear from some of them in this thread. My personal opinion is, all the various methods can work, but the same methods can also NOT work. It depends on so many variables that are in play in our systems. Unfortunately (or fortunately for some), we have no choice but to experiment with the various methods and discover for ourselves which ones work and which ones don't. Just because one method works for one hobbyist doesn't mean it'll work for you, and inversely, just because one method failed and didn't work for one hobbyist doesn't mean it will fail for your system.

Playing around with nutrient export is one of the fun aspects of this hobby, but also, nutrient export is the bane of this hobby