Thought Appreciated ref a Biopellet Reactor

[Captain Quint]

Since 1974 I've never run a Biopellet Reactor in any tank. My NO3 rarely reaches 10, but if busy for whatever reason I've seen it up to 20 and with some lower back spine issues going on WC's can be a bit more difficult and I sometimes have to wait up to ~15 days. ugh

Would it behoove me to add one 'just in case'?

If so please advise on make, size etcetera.

I'm not worried about the 180's I have for my children. Only the 65g custom with a 25 sump. I respect and appreciate the input.

Below is the tank in question which is mainly my BTA dedicated tank. Again, thank you for any and all advice.

 

[JDowns]

If I were to recommend a reactor I would look at the Avast Spyglass.

But I would start slow with the pellets. I ended up yanking mine and just running MarinePure spheres in the same reactor for added space for bacteria since I just couldn't get the pellets to be a stable method. Nitrates would bottom out or swing all over the place. I've since added a fuge area and that has really helped stabilize things rather than running GFO and Pellets.

Have you considered an algae reactor?

 

[Captain Quint]

If I were to recommend a reactor I would look at the Avast Spyglass.

But I would start slow with the pellets. I ended up yanking mine and just running MarinePure spheres in the same reactor for added space for bacteria since I just couldn't get the pellets to be a stable method. Nitrates would bottom out or swing all over the place. I've since added a fuge area and that has really helped stabilize things rather than running GFO and Pellets.

Have you considered an algae reactor?

I have not, but I will check. Thank you.

 

[JDowns]

I use to run the Skimz. Once you get use to "pull" the o-ring to seat it and not roll the o-ring you can get past the difficulty of the o-ring wanting to pop up while you are securing the lid. I had an issue in the initial phase of algae wanting to grow right on the light tube blocking light. But once it got going it grew cheato like crazy. But my OCD kicked in and not being able to easily view the inside made me go to a traditional fuge area.

It's in a box here somewhere and due to the lack of smell I'm pretty sure I cleaned it.

If you want to give it a try just send me a pm and I'll shoot it out to ya.

 

[dansreef]

I used BP reactors on all three of my tanks. PIA... Also they stripped too much and I ended up with other issues. I don't run BPs at all now and haven't for a few years.

As suggested above, look into algae reactors and also MP blocks and balls. I use a big Algae Scrubber and two MP blocks in my 180 and both do a nice job of keeping nutrients in sensible ranges.... but not zero. I have seen some really cool reactors, scrubbers....etc... that are small and compact. I have also seen some cool Chaeto reactors come on to the market. My neighbor used to chase Phosphates like crazy in his 90 reef.... he built a chaeto reactor out of a tlf reactor, pump and some cheap LEDs off of amazon. Works like a charm for him.

 

[Captain Quint]

I use to run the Skimz. Once you get use to "pull" the o-ring to seat it and not roll the o-ring you can get past the difficulty of the o-ring wanting to pop up while you are securing the lid. I had an issue in the initial phase of algae wanting to grow right on the light tube blocking light. But once it got going it grew cheato like crazy. But my OCD kicked in and not being able to easily view the inside made me go to a traditional fuge area.

It's in a box here somewhere and due to the lack of smell I'm pretty sure I cleaned it.

If you want to give it a try just send me a pm and I'll shoot it out to ya.

Thank you so much, my friend. I might just have to hit you up on the PM offer.

 

[Captain Quint]

I used BP reactors on all three of my tanks. PIA... Also they stripped too much and I ended up with other issues. I don't run BPs at all now and haven't for a few years.

As suggested above, look into algae reactors and also MP blocks and balls. I use a big Algae Scrubber and two MP blocks in my 180 and both do a nice job of keeping nutrients in sensible ranges.... but not zero. I have seen some really cool reactors, scrubbers....etc... that are small and compact. I have also seen some cool Chaeto reactors come on to the market. My neighbor used to chase Phosphates like crazy in his 90 reef.... he built a chaeto reactor out of a tlf reactor, pump and some cheap LEDs off of amazon. Works like a charm for him.

Thank you. I was concerned about pulling too much to the detriment of parameters. ARGH.

 

[JDtimk]

I ran pellets for awhile and would recommend not running them. Algae scrubber would probably be the better option especially if you are not nitrate or phosphate limited. I have the santa monica turf scrubber and it works really well.

 

[Captain Quint]

I ran pellets for awhile and would recommend not running them. Algae scrubber would probably be the better option especially if you are not nitrate or phosphate limited. I have the santa monica turf scrubber and it works really well.

Thank you.

I will do exactly as suggested by the majority.

And extremely, humbly grateful.

 

[dansreef]

Truth be told.... I don't measure Nitrates much anymore.... For nems and softies in your tank..... 10...20....50 probably will not be much of an issue. I know for my SPS tank I run easily between 10-20 for nitrates at any given time. My phosphates run at ~.05. I feed like crazy... and my corals... SPS, LPS, Sofites.. Nems are all doing well. The key for me is stability at whatever your tank settles at...even at higher nutrient levels.

As an aside... I fought a multi year-long battle with Dinoflagellates and only got the upper hand by going more "dirty".... it works for my tank. I have algae and some cyano.... throughout my tank. I probably even still have a population of Dinos still in my tank....but they are kept in check. My sand does not look white and pristine... I have tons of pods and other micro fauna. Nutrients to me arent bad.... Instability is.

My two cents worth....

 

[Sod Buster]

I also jumped on bio pellet wagon & hurt things. Poseidon reef systems makes a nice cheato reactor that is safe and easy to maintain and easy on the back/pocket.

 

[Captain Quint]

My utmost appreciation to each and all for your input.

 

[ScottR]

Since 1974 I've never run a Biopellet Reactor in any tank. My NO3 rarely reaches 10, but if busy for whatever reason I've seen it up to 20 and with some lower back spine issues going on WC's can be a bit more difficult and I sometimes have to wait up to ~15 days. ugh

Would it behoove me to add one 'just in case'?

If so please advise on make, size etcetera.

I'm not worried about the 180's I have for my children. Only the 65g custom with a 25 sump. I respect and appreciate the input.

Below is the tank in question which is mainly my BTA dedicated tank. Again, thank you for any and all advice.

I would love to see a close of of your beautiful corals. I love your setup.

 

[Captain Quint]

I would love to see a close of of your beautiful corals. I love your setup.

Thank you for the compliment, good sir.

My corals are in my children's 180's since my DT at home is a dedicated BTA system with its clowns, some shrimp, goby, and a royal gramma. I only have a couple of softies in it and a gorgonian. I'm getting ready for a new clam. Stoked about it.

 

[Sod Buster]

Also, if you'd like to try a pellet reactor, pm me. I've found the one I tried for a little bit & the dr.tim corn based Pearl's.

 

[Captain Quint]

Also, if you'd like to try a pellet reactor, pm me. I've found the one I tried for a little bit & the dr.tim corn based Pearl's.

Roger that and thank you.

 

[ScottR]

Thank you for the compliment, good sir.

My corals are in my children's 180's since my DT at home is a dedicated BTA system with its clowns, some shrimp, goby, and a royal gramma. I only have a couple of softies in it and a gorgonian. I'm getting ready for a new clam. Stoked about it.

Wow. All bubble tips. My poor eyes couldn’t even see. Beautiful tank however.

 

[dantimdad]

@Captain Quint I have loved your tank since the first picture I saw of it.

Please, don't change anything. You are obviously doing something right.

 

[Captain Quint]

Wow. All bubble tips. My poor eyes couldn’t even see. Beautiful tank however.

This will show why I lack corals in this tank. Hope you don't mind a lot of pics. BTA's are everywhere. It all started from one.

 

[Captain Quint]

@Captain Quint I have loved your tank since the first picture I saw of it.

Please, don't change anything. You are obviously doing something right.

Thanks, my friend.