Bio-pellets

Are these the ones from "Dr. Tim"? I was going to start using them myself......

 

What do you have for reactors now? Some use the TLF 150 reactors. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF8372PbIgY If you have a single chambered BRS reactor, they sell an insert for biopellets. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/aquarium-additives-supplements/bio-pellets/10-refillable-bio-pellet-cartridge-for-use-with-the-brs-bio-pellet-reactor.html Or you can get a reactor designed specifically for bio-pellets http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/aquarium-additives-supplements/bio-pellets/jns-alpha-1-bio-pellet-reactor.html or http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/aquarium-additives-supplements/bio-pellets/super-reef-octopus-biopellet-reactors.html or http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/aquarium-additives-supplements/bio-pellets/uf-15-universal-media-reactor.html. Lots of options.

--AJ

 

how long does bio pellets last ?

 

The Biopellets from Dr Tim at MACNA and the ones from BRS are pure PHA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyhydroxyalkanoates) which is 100% biodegradable and consumable. Similar to ARM in a calcium reactor, you replenish, not replace like activated carbon or GFO. The length of time that they last is said to be 6 to 12 months, but really depends on the rate at which the bacteria consume the pellets.

--AJ

 

Do the pellets eventually just disappear?

 

That's my understanding.  I've not used them long enough to have to replenish them.  Or maybe I should have replenished some and just don't know it.  I didn't mark the original fill point on my reactor so I can't really tell if the level has gone down (when the reactor is not running) or not.  That would have been a smart thing to do, huh.  ;-)
--AJ

 

One word of caution, use a pump that's larger than what you think you need.  An MJ1200 will tumble those pellets just fine when you start it up, but once the bacteria gets established and the pellets begin to slime over, they will stick to each other and not tumble effectively.  My experience is that once they have stuck together, the only way that I've found to get them back to tumbling right is to set them out to dry, break apart any clumps with your hands, and start the process over.  It sucks, but it was the only thing that worked for me.  Dramatically increasing flow, rinsing, etc did not work.  To keep them tumbling, you have to watch them and when you see the initial signs of clumping (at the bottom, a cluster of the biopellets will stay in one place while others around them tumble as desired), then increase flow until they all tumble again.  Keep doing this until the bacteria is fully established and all pellets are tumbling correctly.  If you see clumping and your pump is a 100% power, you must quickly swap it out for a larger pump and get them tumbling again.  You don't have much time before they will be so clumped that you won't be able to get them tumbling again and you have to start over.
Also, it's recommended by most to start with 1/2 the rated volume of pellets, then over time, ramp up to the full amount you need.
Good luck and share your progress!
--AJ

 

Once again, thank you BRS for your educational video series!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jDc8jp02s4
http://www.youtube.com/user/BulkReefSupplyCom#p/u/15/PRTcDewh9pI
--AJ