the official ECOBAK thread...

that's right... you'll be fine.

 

Ok, so I'm looking for a little assistance. I've been running ecobak for about 3-3.5 month. I'm running in a reef octopus reactor and running 500ml in my system of around 110gal. At startup I tested my phosphates at .12 on a Hanna checker and nitrates were undetectable on a API test. I started with 1/4 total and added 1/4 every 2 week till full amount was reached. I did take GFO offline But after about a month I did notice that the dust on the glass was lessening and decided to check the phosphates. The checked at .10, nitrates the same. At this time in noticed that some of my corals were stating to get lighter in colors and more pastel. I upped my feeding, now feeding 1 per day, and it varies from day to day what I feed, always something different. I noticed that colors started to come back after about a week. So I kept that practice of feeding everyday up. At this time I started noticing that the glass dust was becoming almost a nuisance. So I tested phosphates again, .14 on the Hanna. Nitrates still undetectable. What's going on here. It seems to me that the pellets are doing nothing. Any assistance would be welcomed. I would also like to add that I have the output directed to my skimmer which is a SWC160 cone. I never really saw any difference in skimmate or amount collected. I also don't have and never had any type of nuisance algae. Thanks in advance for the assist.

 

Not to fear...

Here's how ecoBAK (and other similar products) works. The bacteria that consume the ecoBAK pellet require NO3 and PO4 to consume the Carbon source in the pellets.

So... in the rare instance where you have 0 NO3 but low-ish PO4 the bacteria stop consuming PO4.

So for now... run GFO for a little while. As NO3 starts to build back up, the bacteria will begin consuming PO4 again.

I'd estimate that 10-20% of ecoBAK users have similar water chemistry where their NO3 is undetectable leading to lack of PO4 consumption... but 0 NO3 is a good thing too!

EDIT: I also believe that those 10-20% may be adding extra PO4 inadvertently through a specific food or top-off/salt mix water (salt or DI cartridge?).

 

So, in the if this is the case which I believe it is, how do I build up the no3. More fish more waste, right? One of my reasons for starting the pellets in the first place was to try and eliminate GFO since its ridiculously expensive in my opinion. Maybe putting the fuge back online will help.

 

It's all about balance... when PO4 and NO3 are present in typical balanced values they are both reduced to near 0. This occurs in approximately 80-90% of users. At .12ppm you have moderately high PO4 and 0 NO3 is obviously very low. Most systems that have .12ppm PO4 also have NO3 present. So... if you bring the PO4 down with GFO, your PO4 and NO3 will be balanced again.
Once the PO4 and NO3 are both low the only way they will get out of balance again is excessive PO4 introduction.

Once again, the bacteria will be able to feed on Carbon, PO4 and NO3 unless there is an abnormal introduction of PO4 which is why I suggested testing source water and looking at your food and salt mix. I just recently heard from a hobbyist that was using these little packs of gel-food that his club received FREE from a major company and they were SKY-HIGH in PO4 and giving his system fits.

 

Ok thanks Jon. Helpful as always. I try to rinse food where I can but some of this stuff is just plain messy. I'll try to feed a little less each day and take it from there. I've tested my rodi and its fine. I've never though to test the newly made salt water. I'll give that a go too.

 

Okay so just finished placing my order for Ecobak bio pellets. I plain on adding the pellets on 1/4 intervals and have a aqua remora skimmer on a 40 gallon. This is my first time trying bio pellets and since ecobak had the best reviews i figured i will try them first. I will keep everyone updated

 

Jon,

I just set up my new 115 cube about 7 weeks ago. This is the third tank with EcoBak. Don't ask me why, but as an experiment, I used a half dose of Zeovit zeolite along with the pellets (and the other zeovit basics). My tank when milk white cloudy and stayed there for over two weeks. The few tester corals looked amazing, but it was hard to see anything.

When it took the zeovit out, the tank slowly cleared. It's been a week, but I still get a fairly substantial haze by the end of the light cycle every day. Any idea why or when it should clear? If I re introduce the zeolite, will the same thing happen?

 

Just wanted to update here. I have been running ecobak since March 2011. The pellets have successfully kept my nitrates and phosphates very low despite feeding corals and fish very heavily. I am also dosing aminos as well. I have never had a single sprig of GHA in my tank, or any other nuisance algae. My corals are very happy and very colorful.

 

thank you for the update dowtish! How long until you noticed that they were working? Do you still run a phosphate remover? Curious on your response.