Biopellet reactors, worth it? Share your experiences

I have one and I can't get it to work. I put on a maxijet 1200 and it still won't tumble. I don't feel like buying a new pump, so I'm using it for carbon. I'll prob grab an algae scrubber here soon.

 

Save ur money and keep ur water healthy Just use Vodka method

 

More room for error in Vodka dosing IMO... I use a BRS reactor powered by my return pump (check my build) and has been great! Here is a video on how I have it set up
http://youtu.be/4QZFdiIItVg

Pellets have to be done the right way...they need good flowing reactor but not too fast of a tumble (I had it a bit fast in the video), always start off with 1/4 recommended amount first and add another 1/4 every 4-6 weeks till you reach full pellet recommended dose.

Here is a more recent vid and my pellets/skimmer are keeping my nitrates/phosphates low, my sand is always super white, hair algae/cyano has never touched this tank.
http://youtu.be/7k37Uh3oLHo

Hope you find this helpful

-Luis

 

Zero nitrates for over a year and only one water change with bio-pellets. Just did the water change for trace elements, not even sure I needed to do it as I have not noticed any difference in the tank.
Daily dosing of Cal/Alk.

 

I've had bad experience with bio-pellets in the past, wiping out an 18 year old reef, which I'm sure was user error, but I still prefer my algae turf scrubber or a good refugium. More natural and more stable.

 

I dose vinegar and it's working great for me. I honestly haven't tested my phosphates but I do see a true reduction in HA as well as absolutely no cyano in my tank anymore. I only clean my glass every 4 or 5 days as well and then it's just a small film.

 

Never really noticed a big difference with GFO. That being said. I run 2 of them in series. I use them now for carbon, and by the second day after I change the media, the water is sparkling! They can be used for any type of media. The reason you want the media to tumble is because the water will create a path through it, rendering the rest of it useless. It exposes all sides of the media letting you get the most for your money. Debris will settle in the bottom, thus the no shaking part.....good luck!

 

I'm doing vinegar dosing right now, and am only ~4 days into it. I guess I haven't noticed a big difference other than the skimmer is pulling a bit more. If it is noticeable... I'd like to automate it if I can.

 

it will be 2 or 3 weeks before you start to notice a difference with vinegar. You can automate with a dosing pump

 

So, another question I would have... Will the biopellets/dosing make my refugium not necessary? I would love to redesign the sump to allow a more microbubble free return set up. Removing the refugium portion (while sad because I'm growing chaeto like mad)... would allow that to happen. Plus, it would mean less junk build up in the return section. I feel like I have trouble keeping it clean.