Bio pellets

[grouper therapy]

Anyone using the NP bio pellets? If so can we get some feedback please?

 

[jcusmarine]

I have been using NP Bio-pellets with success since they came out.

My primary reason was to use bacteria as a food source, as well as having a secondary benefit of lowering Phosphates and Nitrates as reported in Vodka/Carbon dosing case studies.

Of note, I think there is some controversy about this method and I think it stems from individuals who do not practice good husbandry and/or do not have a well setup system. In short, folks use this method to remedy a problem, and I believe this to be in a great error.

This being said, I now maintain the Bio-Pellets in a system that had a zero reading for both Phosphate and Nitrate via Salifert tests before bringing the Bio-Pellets online, so I hope someone can chime in specifically to the reported capability of reducing N & P.

So, there are two primary benefits I can report from my experience:

1 - Increased Polyp extension, especially in SPS
2 - Increased Color in SPS

In my opinion, I am happy with using the Bio-Pellets and there are now competing products on the market and the price is coming down. I think they are worthy of consideration as a component of nutrient control, but the real benefit to me is the health of SPS in particular, which I observed within a week of adding the pellets.

Lastly, my recommendations in using this method:

1 - Use a media reactor (without sponges as they will clog)
2 - Use high flow to tumble all the pellets and prevent bacteria mulm buildup (an MJ1200 won't cut it)
3 - Calculate the correct amount of Pellets per instructions
4 - Do not use the full amount of Pellets at start (gradually to prevent bacteria blooms)
5 - You must have a really good skimmer and the output of the reactor should be in front of the skimmer intake
6 - If you decide to dose bacteria to seed the pellets, use very little and do not overdose

Thats about all I can report.....

 

[grouper therapy]

jcusmarine;560275 wrote: I have been using NP Bio-pellets with success since they came out.

My primary reason was to use bacteria as a food source, as well as having a secondary benefit of lowering Phosphates and Nitrates as reported in Vodka/Carbon dosing case studies.

Of note, I think there is some controversy about this method and I think it stems from individuals who do not practice good husbandry and/or do not have a well setup system. In short, folks use this method to remedy a problem, and I believe this to be in a great error.

This being said, I now maintain the Bio-Pellets in a system that had a zero reading for both Phosphate and Nitrate via Salifert tests before bringing the Bio-Pellets online, so I hope someone can chime in specifically to the reported capability of reducing N & P.

So, there are two primary benefits I can report from my experience:

1 - Increased Polyp extension, especially in SPS
2 - Increased Color in SPS

In my opinion, I am happy with using the Bio-Pellets and there are now competing products on the market and the price is coming down. I think they are worthy of consideration as a component of nutrient control, but the real benefit to me is the health of SPS in particular, which I observed within a week of adding the pellets.

Lastly, my recommendations in using this method:

1 - Use a media reactor (without sponges as they will clog)
2 - Use high flow to tumble all the pellets and prevent bacteria mulm buildup (an MJ1200 won't cut it)
3 - Calculate the correct amount of Pellets per instructions
4 - Do not use the full amount of Pellets at start (gradually to prevent bacteria blooms)
5 - You must have a really good skimmer and the output of the reactor should be in front of the skimmer intake
6 - If you decide to dose bacteria to seed the pellets, use very little and do not overdose

Thats about all I can report.....

WOW thank you very much for the reply!!! One question why the output close to the skimmer?

 

[jcusmarine]

grouper therapy;560278 wrote: WOW thank you very much for the reply!!! One question why the output close to the skimmer?

Welcome.

I just have the output of the Bio-pellets reactor in the sump area where my skimmer is located. I have read others that place it directly in front of the skimmer pump intake....the reason being to remove excess bacteria and the nutrients they uptake with them.

 

[jcusmarine]

Also, the pellets to not kill Bryopsis....verified :yes:

 

[grouper therapy]

thanks