Bio pellets

DerekL

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2013
Location
Windsor, Ontario
I am going to be setting up a TLF 150 to run bio pellets in later today. I am going to use a MJ1200 to feed the reactor. I am planning on starting out with about about a 1/4 cup of pellets as my total water volume is about 105 gallons. Does this sound right for the starting amount of bio pellets. I then plan on taking the output from the bio pellet reactor and using zip ties to tie it to the intake of my skimmer so that it will get taken right into the skimmer. Is there anything I should be aware of or watch out for? I am already running a BRS dual reactor with hcgfo and carbon.  Any advice would be appreciated as I would hate to mess something up and start loosing coral.
Thank you
Derek
 

reeffreak

Super Active Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2013
Location
Sarnia, Ontario
Be very very careful adding pellets to a established system, could totally wipe ya out. 500ml of pellets for 100 gallons. Start with 150ml and slowly add more as weeks progress.
 

DerekL

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2013
Location
Windsor, Ontario
This tank has only been up since the first week in August. How much should I start with or is a 1/4 cup ok? I have read about wiping out your tank and this is why I am asking people who use bio pellets for advise as to how to introduce them safely to my system. Also I have read that it is suggested to use microbacter7 in the reactor with the pellets to help jump start the bacteria. I can't find or get mb7 anywhere in Windsor so would IO's Bio Spira work for this or is there something else that will help jump start the bacteria. I have one of the LFS here that are going to get it in for me but that won't be till next month.
 

pulpfiction1

Reef Scavenger
Joined
Nov 16, 2010
Location
42.418807, -82.174073
1/4 cup to start should be fine,it can take up to 6 weeks to populate the pellets,i have a heavy bio load so i am using the max recommended on the bag (250 ml per 50 gallons)
 

pulpfiction1

Reef Scavenger
Joined
Nov 16, 2010
Location
42.418807, -82.174073
first 2 links are for vertex pellets and i see i could introduce more but my nitrates are constant around the 10ppm area
https://www.google.ca/search?num=40&newwindow=1&site=&source=hp&q=vertex+biopellets+instructions&oq=vertex+bio&gs_l=hp.1.7.0l8.1799.5034.0.9712.10.10.0.0.0.0.244.1653.0j8j2.10.0....0...1c.1.32.hp..0.10.1652.mvzmmRSQm_U
 

DerekL

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2013
Location
Windsor, Ontario
My nitrates are 5ppm and that is with chaeto and caularpa in my sump. I realize that they will not survive using pellets and I am ok with that. I want to have and keep and ULNS and this is why I am going to introduce bio pellets to my system
 

harleymike

Super Active Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2012
Location
Courtright, Ontario
Im currently upgrading my skimmer. Bio pellets are a next consideration.
Keep us posted on the progress. I'm very interested in the outcome.
Mike
 

pulpfiction1

Reef Scavenger
Joined
Nov 16, 2010
Location
42.418807, -82.174073
DerekL link said:
My nitrates are 5ppm and that is with chaeto and caularpa in my sump. I realize that they will not survive using pellets and I am ok with that. I want to have and keep and ULNS and this is why I am going to introduce bio pellets to my system
absolutley
 

DerekL

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2013
Location
Windsor, Ontario
I will keep posted on the outcome. I was kind of back and forth whether to run bio pellet or not but then you look at all these amazing sps tanks that are running bio pellets and my tank will be sps dominant once my frags grow out. So why not do my best to provide an ULNS for them. I also have a heavy bio load as my wife is very much into this hobby and likes fish so we may have a few more then we should but I am very strict when it comes to my maintenance.
 
Top