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What biopellet reactors do you like?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Actuary, May 2, 2012.

  1. Actuary Well-Known ReefKeeper

    705
    Adel, IA
    Ratings:
    +145 / 1 / -0
    I have been running a modified zeovit reactor for my biopellets for about 5 months now and have been having a heck of a time with the pellets clumping together lately.  About a month ago I pulled all the pellets out, cleaned them, and soaked them in RO for a couple days and put them back in.  Things ran smoothly for about 4 weeks and now they're clumping again.  Churning the zeovit reactor helps them come apart but they will clump back up again in a day or two.
    So I'm considering my options now for a true biopellet reactor.  I run about .75L of pellets so I'm looking at something like:
    http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/reactors/bio-pellet-reactors/jns-alpha-2-bio-pellet-reactor.html
    I'm currently using a Vertex Zeovit reactor with the needle point screens to keep the bio pellets from flowing through:
    http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/reactors/zeovit-reactors/vertex-zf-15-zeolith-media-reactor.html
    What are all of you using and what do you like and dislike about your biopellet reactors?
     
  2. Roman Experienced Reefkeeper

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +321 / 3 / -0
    I use the cadlights reactor and havent had any problems.http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=51&products_id=213
     
  3. Troy

    Troy Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I currently am using the BRS reactor w/ the container that has no sponge in.
    http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/carbon-and-gfo/media-reactors-filter-bags/brs-gfo-and-carbon-reactor-1.html

    I have seen this Reef Octopus in action and it seems to run pretty good.
    http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/super-reef-octopus-biopellet-reactors.html

    But the one that I am really wanting to get (if I had a bigger tank) is the Reef Dynamice recirculating bio pellet reactor
    http://www.reefdynamics.com/Reef-Dynamics-Bio-Pellet-Reactor-for-135-gallons-p/bpr135.htm
     
  4. Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    I am having the same issue using a spongeless TLF150 with screens and a maxi jet utility pump. Ran great for the first 4 months now they all stick together.
    I really don't have room for anything else so I am considering getting a dosing pump and either dosing vodka or vinegar instead of the pellets.

    I choose to run pellets over dosing because it was supposed to be easier and relatively hassle free. That may be the case with the proper equipment but in my case, it is not.
     
  5. Actuary Well-Known ReefKeeper

    705
    Adel, IA
    Ratings:
    +145 / 1 / -0
    That's an interesting design with the recirculating pump on the Reef Dynamics reactor. I'd rather not throw $350 into a pellet stirrer though.

    The cone reactor from Cad Lights also looks pretty cool but I need one with a bit more capacity than that and it doesn't look like they have anything bigger.

    I like the price point and the built in pump underneath the JNS reactor. I'm inclined to either go with that or to forget biopellets and go back to putting zeolith media into the reactor and dosing zeostart (Korallen Zucht's VSV mix). The biggest selling point of the pellets for me was the hassle free aspect as well - I didn't want to have to get someone to come churn zeoliths and dose products whenever I went out of town. But lately they have been a bit of a hassle for me.
     
  6. daalbers

    daalbers Well-Known ReefKeeper

    562
    Ratings:
    +24 / 3 / -0
  7. Brandon9400

    Brandon9400

    233
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I run two refugiums on my tank with cheato, mangroves and LR. I have an endless supply of pods and nutrients flowing back into my tank and all of my corals have great color and PE. What little algae I do have gets eaten by my tangs, blenny and CUC. They don't seem to care much for the purple hard stuff everywhere tho? haha.

    what is your main reason for using pellets?
     
  8. Actuary Well-Known ReefKeeper

    705
    Adel, IA
    Ratings:
    +145 / 1 / -0
    The main reason for me is to keep PO4 and NO3 depressed closer to NSW levels to help enhance SPS colors. I was never able to get PO4 quite as low with macro algae as I can with biopellets or zeovit (especially with zeovit but the upkeep is the pain there).
     
  9. Brandon9400

    Brandon9400

    233
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I have an SPS dominated system as well(i'm addicted). I have been able to get great color, growth and polyp extension out of mine so far. I've put some thought into biopellets but the more bad reports I read on them makes not want to add another hassle to my tank. I would rather spend the money on more coral etc..
     
  10. daalbers

    daalbers Well-Known ReefKeeper

    562
    Ratings:
    +24 / 3 / -0
    i would start with a bigger pump with the reactor that you have
     
  11. Actuary Well-Known ReefKeeper

    705
    Adel, IA
    Ratings:
    +145 / 1 / -0
    A bigger pump wouldn't help.. I actually have to dial the current one back a bit or all the pellets jam to the top of the reactor.
     
  12. Troy

    Troy Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I just switched from the CPR nano reactor to the BRS reactor. Its been about 3 weeks, haven't had any problems yet. I am hoping that I don't start running into the same problems that all of you been having. Guess I will know in a few months.
     
  13. walker1

    walker1 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    428
    Ratings:
    +28 / 1 / -0


    I run the new Cadlights bio pellet reactor and really like it so far

     
  14. Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    Marshalltown, IA
    Ratings:
    +233 / 1 / -0
    I ran the Super Reef Octopus (BR-110) for many months and never had a problem with clumping: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/reactors/bio-pellet-reactors/super-reef-octopus-biopellet-reactors.html. I didn't have results from the pellets so I stopped them. If you are possibly interested in it, mine is for sale...
     

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