Bio pellet and rowaphos

Hi guys anyone running both bio pellets and rowaphos? Can share the experience? Consider getting both for my new tank.

 

I used to run phosguard with my biopellets when I need to bring down phosphates back to normal. My phosphates creep up on me here and there. Now I use cheato in the sump that grows like crazy and it's been doing a good job with the remaining nutrients. To answer your question, yes you can use both. Obviously not in the same reactor. Just be careful when adding pellets with nitrates present. It will cause your tank to cloud. There's a bunch of articles on here that talk about pellets and pros-cons.

 

IMO you should never run both. If you unnaturally lower phosphate using GFO, the bacteria will run out of phosphate prior to nitrate. IMO, this has been the problem with all those saying that they can't get their nitrates under control. I have recommended taking GFO online many times and over time the problem has corrected itself.

 

What if the NO3 is zero and PO4 is .03-.05?
I don't use pellets but do use prodibio... same concept I suppose.
I would like the PO4 to be a little lower.
At what PO4 level would one stop using GFO?

 

You are of course right. I do want to point out that the system is more forgiving in favor of taking out too much phosphates however. This is an oversimplification, but there are two exports for nitrate - growth and respiration (of certain bacteria), and only one for phosphate - growth. That means taking out a little too much phosphate is probably okay. Taking out a little too much nitrate a bit more problematic, and taking out too much of either is bad.

My guess is that's why Jon Warner says limited GFO use in certain circumstances is fine.

 

Do u mean running a reef tank should more all less have some nitrate n phosphates in it, and not entirely remove out?

As for the bio pellet i was advice to place the outlet as close to the skimmer as possible so that whatever dirt or before it cloud the DT will be skim out. As i nv used then before, do u guys suggest i use bio pellet only and setup a refugium with chaeto?

I have been reading thru lots of articles on both reactor it seems that there are alot of different views on it. So advice i use both n so dun. Thats the reason i getting more opinions here.

 

Can we set the reactor to run slower? Probably will slow down the phosphate removal process? I don't know it will work, just my own tot.

 

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They make reactors where you are able to control the output for the above reasons. For the more basic reactors if nutrients are too low you may need to just reduce the amount of pellets. Or you could feed more.. there are various "fixes" .. turn skimmer off periodically ect.

 

Thanks guys for all the info.