So I have be running bio pellets now for about 5 months on my 90 gallon with about 60 gallons in the sump and I just added another 150ml of new smaller pellets. Now the new ones don't mix with the older bigger pellets very well. So I have to add a bit more flow. Question is with these eventually mix or will it always stay with the smaller ones on the top? Also with the increased flow the pellets are a quite a bit closer to the top of the reactor (phosban 150). I'm afraid that if the is a power interruption and when the pump turns back on the surge of water will push the pellets out past the screen and out to the sump! How bad would it be if say a small amount would escape into the live rock in the first chamber of my sump? Should I be concerned?
bio pellet question
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reeffreak
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Put a filter sock on the out put of the reactor and you won't have an issue with where they will end up. Also did you let the pellets soak in rodi water before putting them in the reactor with the other type ?
reeffreak
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Ya I would agree the smaller ones would eventually make their way to the top.
Giglio324
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you should have your output from the biopellets reactor feeding directly into or atleast close to you protein skimmer pump.
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what kind are the smaller ones? I think I'm using BRS bulk pellets, are they smaller than that?
Giglio324
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reefin link said:
yup I have the output right in front of the protein skimmer input but if there is enough force the pellets could get away from the input flow not to mention could damage the impeller of the skimmer pump.
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good to hear. i would cut some mesh screen and zip tie it in some way to keep the pellets from escaping
Giglio324 link said:
yup I have the output right in front of the protein skimmer input but if there is enough force the pellets could get away from the input flow not to mention could damage the impeller of the skimmer pump.
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good to hear. i would cut some mesh screen and zip tie it in some way to keep the pellets from escaping
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yeah I put one of the mesh bags on the out put from the GFO package that I don't use so far no escapees!
reeffreak
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Do you have the mesh screens made for pellets in the tlf reactor ?
Also the output of the pellets does not have to be directly in front of the skimmer input, there is no information on the net that backs up those claims, like drilling into the skimmer input and attaching the output of the pellets, there is no real evidence that shows its better then just having it sit in the skimmer area no difference.
Also the output of the pellets does not have to be directly in front of the skimmer input, there is no information on the net that backs up those claims, like drilling into the skimmer input and attaching the output of the pellets, there is no real evidence that shows its better then just having it sit in the skimmer area no difference.
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I agree, I've never heard an actual definitive source say the output has to be into the skimmer, who knows the output might best empty into the tank for better feeding of bacteria (however I doubt it).
There is no question the stench your skimmer will make after running pellets will surprise you. I was over at Adam's place on the weekend and he was apologizing for the dirty skimmer, and I could tell he didn't even have his pellets running yet lol.
Show of hands those that have take the skimmer goo and said to someone "hey, smell this!"
There is no question the stench your skimmer will make after running pellets will surprise you. I was over at Adam's place on the weekend and he was apologizing for the dirty skimmer, and I could tell he didn't even have his pellets running yet lol.
Show of hands those that have take the skimmer goo and said to someone "hey, smell this!"
reeffreak
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My brother was over once and I emptied my skimmer and he couldn't believe the stench. He won't even go in my basement when I say I'm going to empty it.
reeffreak link said:
yes I do have the screens for the reactor but this time a few snuck by on the sides! All I've heard from different sites and from the reading is that it needs to be put in the area of the skimmer! I wouldn't make any kind of a mod to my skimmer that involves drilling into it as that could drop the resale! LOL
Salty Cracker link said:
LOL my wife keeps asking "was that you" LMAO
I do know of one tank where the fella has no sump! He runs GFO, pellets, and a HOB skimmer. Skimmer is on one end of the 72g bow front and the bio pellets dump into the corner of the tank at the other end! So far so good his tank has been running for 8 months now and all looked good 2 weeks a go!
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reefin link said:
LOL my wife keeps asking "was that you" LMAO
I do know of one tank where the fella has no sump! He runs GFO, pellets, and a HOB skimmer. Skimmer is on one end of the 72g bow front and the bio pellets dump into the corner of the tank at the other end! So far so good his tank has been running for 8 months now and all looked good 2 weeks a go!
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I had a tank run for almost 5 years with a hob skimmer and tapwater. However when it went, it went with a BOOM.
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Kenzy
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I wouldn't worry about the small pellets making it into your sump. Even the smallest skimmer should be able to pass them and eventually they will be consumed/dissolve by bacteria. I usually see them in my sump after refilling the reactor, in a month or two they disappear.
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