Bio pellet into skimmer input

[Poseidon]

Hey guys I've read that it is very important to but the output of your bio pellet reactor into a T and attach one side of the T to the skimmer input and leave the other side open for the skimmer to still draw water, well I hooked the reactor up this morning and the skimmer just stopped wrking basicly... The 3rd opening on the T was a stream of water, but the skimmer was obviously not getting enough water? I don't really understand it lol
Any suggestions?

 

[Poseidon]

This is the pic of the T... One is the output from the reactor other is the input for the skimmer

 

[pulpfiction1]

never heard that it was a requirement,but have heard some do,my skimmer needs min 1100 gph so my pellets would have to tumble quite vigorously,main thing is to get them to empty into the area where your skimmer pickup is

 

[Blob-79]

yea...u didnt do it right

 

[Blob-79]

check page 2 of my build thread, i got a couple pics in there of how i did it to my 160 cones

 

[reeffreak]

From any pellets I've read having the output of the pellets into skimmer input is mandatory or your really not doing anything just adding more nutrients to your tank

 

[teebone110]

Here, check this link. I copied Blob's system. It works nicely

http://www.thefragtank.ca/forum/index.php?topic=628.120

 

[pulpfiction1]

From any pellets I've read having the output of the pellets into skimmer input is mandatory or your really not doing anything just adding more nutrients to your tank

ive never read that anywhere or on any pellet packs ive bought and used,currently using vertex last 12-14 months or so and no mention on the bag or anywhere ive read on line,only as an option

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/instructions/article/BRS-Biopellets

http://coralvue.com/bio-pellets-reactor-instructions/

 

[jones02]

Cant you just put the output of the reactor innfront of the innput of the skimmer?

 

[reeffreak]

Cant you just put the output of the reactor innfront of the innput of the skimmer?

Exactly I don't see what the real big deal is with having it connected like that, seems like its to much work, no real benefit . Is there a thread that shows if doing this mod has any benefit over just having the pellet output close as possible to the skimmer input ?  I'm pretty positive the skimmer input on my system takes in all of what's coming out of the pellet output by comparing gph of both pumps that's my conclusion.   

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

i just stuck the hose from my pellet reactor in front of the skimmer input

 

[pulpfiction1]

Cant you just put the output of the reactor innfront of the innput of the skimmer?

everything i have read since the start has stated just that

 

[jones02]

That's all I did with mine also. Havnt ran pellets yet cuz I'm worried cuz I just got some hair algae if I should put them online now or not but I havnt seen anything say "you have to" put it in the skimmer inlet only close.

 

[teebone110]

I'm not aware of any studies, but there was something on LA Fish Guys about a year ago that demonstrated a recirculating reactor with this mod and a good explanation and rationale about its benefits.
If you like to do mods and stuff, this is a nice option and interesting thing to do, plus it works. Less effluent escaping into the tank, the less chance of cyano. To each his (or her) own.

 

[Darryl_V]

My bio pellet reactor's output goes to my return pump.....i have had no ill effects.  It might be ideal to have it ouput to the skimmer but i dont think it matters that much.

 

[teebone110]

Found the link...
LA Fishguys, Bio Pellets, Episode 107 pt2

Go to 4:49 and it starts for a few minutes.

A good video about pellets, answers to a lot of questions..

 

[Poseidon]

Hey Tyler that's one of the vids I was basing my research off of.
I think I will just place it near the inlet and see what happens

 

[spyd]

I don't think you need to make a tee right off your skimmer. I understand why people do it because the output water from the reactor would be guaranteed to run right into the skimmer. Putting the ouput line close to the skimmer opening would definitely be good enough though, if you can. Mine is just set in front of the skimmer opening and I have zero issues.

 

[Poseidon]

I don't think you need to make a tee right off your skimmer. I understand why people do it because the output water from the reactor would be guaranteed to run right into the skimmer. Putting the ouput line close to the skimmer opening would definitely be good enough though, if you can. Mine is just set in front of the skimmer opening and I have zero issues.

i


Ok great! Thanks for the info guys! Personal experiences are a heck of slot better than any research I could possibly do.

 

[teebone110]

I think everyone is further ahead and more successful with bio-pellets then we were a few years ago. It's good to know that most of us are putting the reactor output close  or into our skimmer input.

Going slow with the amount of pellets we use seems to be another common practice that has been a successful strategy too.