Biopellets: What you need to know

Biopellets are great for nitrate reduction if you can be patient. I've been using them since 2011, and will provide you with a number of key points for successful results. Here are a bunch of links with more information:
Purchase them here: melevsreef.com/...
Overview article with best tips to consider: melevsreef.com/...
Nextreef Reactor review: www.reefaddicts...)
AquaMaxx Reactor review: www.reefaddicts...
Another biopellet review: www.reefaddicts...
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Daily things happen here:
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[@min2oly]

*Cool, I'm not the only one winging it. This vid full of justification of anecdotal science is awesome!*

[@melevsreef]

lol!

[@larryloaf4938]

one of the best videos i have seen on bio pellets

[@jeremyb5740]

Dr. Loaf's Salty Box how??? I don't know why everyone loves this dude...u don't need constant bacteria dosing to successfully reactor

[@Cliffepoos]

I could not agree more with what you are saying here. I ran Bio pelets for a year and had zero nitrates. I over feed my fish who are fat and very healthy. I have now changed to an algae filter on my display tank as I wanted to see what kind of results I would get with that, and moved the pellets to my frag tank. Both tanks sit a zero nitrates and have for a long time. So yep, you have hit it right on the nail with this video, in my opinion. I love your videos, even when I may not agree with them they give food for thought. Keep making them, please!

[@Cliffepoos]

I used Bio-pelets on my main tank for around a year with zero nitrates and water changes done every 3 months or so. I changed it for an algae skimmer and moved the pellets to my frag system and both systems have zero nitrates. I never dosed with bacteria, and I honestly can't see the need for it as they breed without help. Seems like a waste of money to me, but if it works for you, great! Love your videos, keep it up!

[@eskwadrat]

Thanks for sharing most valuable tips that originate from your preventive and corrective actions.

[@Cliffepoos]

I totally agree with the well fed fish comments. Well fed, fat fish are healthy fish. I have run bio-pearls for a long time with zero nitrates, heavy feeding and an over stocked tank. :-( I switched them a couple of months ago for an algae scrubber which also gives me zero nitrates. I'm not sure which I prefer, though the algae scrubber costs a bit less to run I think.

[@melevsreef]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[@reesemoore1546]

Outstanding Mark, looking forward to more videos. I have followed you for years and really enjoy your insight.

[@dennisdonovan2735]

in my opinion the absolute best method or tool to keep both nitrate and phosphate down completely is a turf scrubber

[@MegaJim57]

Great video Mark. i''ve been using biopellets for about 3 years now and have never had any nitrate issues

[@jakedunne4606]

Incredible video man! thanks for all the great info, I definitely needed to hear this

[@marektustin4637]

Thank you, man ,for this video. I was hesitate to buy biopellets reactor and you helped me to get decision. Also my English is improved, I heard a dozen times your video to understand it. I am from Poland. One more time thank you for your time.

[@melevsreef]

Good luck with your aquarium. Thanks for watching all the way from Poland! :)

[@marektustin4637]

Actually I am watching from California, here is my home now :)

[@melevsreef]

Small update everyone: Yesterday I was cleaning off the top plate in the reactor and then thought to myself "what if I didn't install this top plate after all? The reactor is very tall, and the biopellets are at the bottom with plenty of water above them. They aren't going to float up and out, that's for sure." So for the time being, I'm going to run it without the plate. That should avoid the blockage that occurs over time.

[@eugenioarpayoglou]

I had the same thought.

[@MaLekElsharq]

I advice against that in my case anyway, my reactor wasn't that big, and for some reason or the other when the level of water in my sump went down while I was away for 3 days, the pellets just got shoot out into the sump!! I blame my reactor for that: :D but hope it works with you, and if it did, I'll try a taller reactor, even my stand is very short! :/ ps: I like your channel, and the way you give information with ease and via experience with your own tank! :thmbsup: mate

[@melevsreef]

So it siphoned them out? Crazy. I just checked on them last night, tumbling fine and probably 15" of water above them. My tubing goes into the bubble tower, so in theory it can't siphon down far enough because my tubing isn't underwater. I'll have to test that and see what happens, to check if you are right in my configuration. Thanks!

[@Arteolike]

How has the reactor, without the top plate, worked thus far?

[@melevsreef]

I just checked it last night, since it just runs on autopilot. I tested the nitrate level of the 400g + 60g since they both share the same sump and biopellet reactor. Nitrate measured 1 ppm with an Elos test kit, which I tested twice. When I looked in the reactor, it was essentially empty. Time to refill it with more media. :)

[@ajthereefer]

I used to vodka dose, then moved to biopellets. I'm using an aquamaxx reactor and I love it. I started out with a small amount of pellets and worked my way up so I consistently have 2-5 ppm nitrates

[@goldslinger]

After all the equip maintenance, consumables u have to buy, NO POX dosing 1 x a day sounds waaaaay simpler.

[@melevsreef]

I'm going to be trying that one next month. :)

[@jimhribnak2671]

Awesome Info I have pellets and love using them

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

Hi I might have missed the part that anaerobic bacteria will not collinise in the pellet reactor because of the amount of water flow containing oxygen the whole idea of the pellet is that its a carbon source for bacteria the anaerobic bacteria has to be all ready established in the aquarium in the pourus rocks and filter meadia

[@sandt1299]

Great video, thank you.. I'm a heavy feeder. I've been in this hobby now approaching a year next month.. Made a lot of mistakes, but finally slowed my role and forced myself to become very patient. I've had ich twice in less then a year both times missing most of my fish... When I added fish back to my system, I did it slow, and maxed myself out at 11 fish. My system is a 65gallon system with a 15 gallon sump. I feed larry's and prime flakes at least 4-5 times a day collectively. Fatty, meaty fish to me, are healthier fish, and will fight off diseases better. Fingers crossed so far so good, I've had fish back in my system now for 2months. My phosphates are high which I'm combat with Rx phosphate drops.. And instead of doing a round of drops I'm doing it daily. I started with 10 drops and increase everyday by adding one drop. My nitrate are also high but I'm doing 15gallon water changes weekly.. This maintenance schedule that I am referring to I started two weeks ago..

[@melevsreef]

11 fish in a 65g tank, and you're changing 60g a month. Nitrates should be coming down. You probably know this, but even though you are putting in food 4x or 5x a day, you can put in smallish portions. Think of snacks versus dinner. At night I put in quite a bit of food, but during the daytime it's less fare. Phosphates: Be sure to test your tank and find out the value. If the tank measures .5ppm, use 39 drops that night after lights out. The next day test again and it should read near zero. Phosphate Rx isn't designed as a daily regimen the way you described, adding another drop each day (10 today, 11 tomorrow, 12 the next, 13 after that...) If you can determine that perfect amount needed, I'd suggest you drip it in once a week. I *only* use it when my tank needs it, it's not a regular maintenance item in my daily/weekly routine. I dose about 5x a year, or every 10 weeks. When the test kit indicates I need to dose, that's when I dose. When it has removed PO4, I don't need to dose.

[@sandt1299]

Sounds good.. I'm going to be doing my second 15g water change in two week.. I'm not at 60 yet, but will be in two more weeks.. And thank you for the advice on the Rx, I didn't think I was meant to be used be way I was utilizing it. I'm switching from ai sol's to hydra 52's not the hd's and I'm nervous lol, not to mention it's not to user friendly on the apex fusion app.

[@sandt1299]

Question, I'm not sure if you know about green spotted mandarins, but here's my question.. I've had one know in my tank for two months.. I've seen him everyday since I've added him to the tank. It's going on two days know that I haven't seen him.. Is it normal for for the green spotted mandarin to hide for periods of time? Or should I been concern and assumed he died and start looking for him? And help would be appreciated, thanks again.. Glad you got your small flood taken care of.

[@melevsreef]

While they can be shy, the only way to say for sure would be based on how it looked in recent weeks. If it looked thinner, it could have been starving. If it was fat, maybe it's just reclusive. Or it jumped. Or it was eaten. It's all guesswork at the moment. They do need lots of live rock (not dry rock that has begun to become live) to forage upon. Adding pods to your tank after lights out would be helpful. Here's my article: www.melevsreef.com/node/719

[@sandt1299]

Thank you so much... I do have established live rock in the tank, and he did look skinner in the last few weeks. I don't think he jump, I have a canopy on my tank, but I guess anythings possible..

[@akeesam1]

as always very informative video, Marc... and love your presentation..

[@rustyshackleford6259]

Marc, I always learn so much from the vids. Keep it up buddy. I really appreciate the effort you put into what you do for the hobby to educate and suggest based on real world experience. From a fellow Dallas reefer, might be able to say hi at Macna...once I win these tickets!!!

[@melevsreef]

That's the spirit! And thanks.

[@ARandomTrex]

Best video about bio pellets ever is on lafishguys channel from reef dynamics. After watching that I feel it's a must to have a recirculating reactor and feed the effluent into the skimmer. I've yet to try it but I definitely plan to in the near future.

[@daveonbass79]

OMG...thank you so much for this particular video. I agree with you on all counts. I have been running biopellets for years and love them. I had some growth issues a few years back and everyone told me to remove the BP because there was "no way" it was caused by too much light. long story short...removing the BP was horrible and adding them back fixed so many issues...oh, and turns out I had too much light...lol. Also...i recently had my DAS EX1 skimmer die on me. my skimmer is external and the recirculating pump was too rare to find a replacement for. it was a step up for me years ago when I installed it...but I just replaced it with a new (brand new in the box) reef octopus and it's like I a whole new world for me. I thought I was skimming good before...i never knew that the tank could look so good. the biopellets are being skimmed properly and the water is better than ever, clearer, the fish are happier, the glass stays clean longer, the sand is turning white again...and the corals and frag tank are growing and look incredible. you are right about everything in this video...as usual. thanks again.

[@melevsreef]

Thanks for sharing your experience as well. Sounds like things are going really well.

[@WilSantiagoReefing]

Excellent video! Good info. Firing up a Reef Dynamics reactor this week.

[@Abreezeducttesting]

great video I have also had my bacteria die off of the pellet reactor. I shut down the reactor for 2 days. bio pellets started turning red. I am so glad you shared that adding bacteria your tank is necessary. I'll be in San Diego in 3 weeks can't wait to hear you speak.

[@melevsreef]

Awesome, see you there. :)

[@johnlewis6226]

Great info, I've been running pellets for years only issue has been keeping the pellets moving and not clumping. By the way I totally agree with your philosophy on fat fish. I've caused more issues trying to get sick fish out to a quarantine tank than just reducing their stress and keeping them well feed with a variety of foods. food,

[@Interp66]

Great information!

[@MattWeber]

I run TLF biopellets in a bashsea pellet master 1 reactor with of 12.6 (as i run the red sea's "fast growth" parameters and their full nutrient supplement system) never problem with the acros i have. Ive let my BP quantity in the reactor dwindle as i actually have to battle to keep nitrate and phos even detectible for the the red sea preferred parameters of 1-3 nitrate and .02-.03 phos even with heavy daily feeding of LRS frozen, mysis, and NLS pellets. I highly recommend this reactor to anyone looking.

[@MattWeber]

*alk of 12.6*

[@melevsreef]

The reason I included the fact that lower alkalinity is recommended was because overall most people seem to agree on that point That being said, my own reef had a huge alkalinity spike, and even with biopellets I didn't see corals with burnt tips... sometimes my tank tends to be the exception. Thanks for adding your input about 12.6 dKH. Feed moar! :D

[@gflinski]

Listen, I totally agree with you. I agree that well fed fish are strong fish and can fight off disease. I introduced a new fish into my display tank that was quarantined for a month. Its a long story but that quarantined fish I believe had Ich despite my quarantine process. I added it because I didn't see any Ich. It died a week later but gave my yellow tang Ich very badly. I'm talking 20-30 white spots. I upped the feeding to approximately 4-5 smaller to medium sized feedings a day compared to 1 or 2 feedings max and fed it garlic as well. I was in fear that the tang was toast but after a week of feeding very heavy all day, (I also was home a lot that week to make it possible) it recovered almost completely. After a week and a half to two weeks later there wasn't a spot of Ich on the tang even though it was COVERED in Ich prior. Feed Feed Feed. Small feedings all day vs one large meal. Firm believer in that. Fish are grazers in the wild. Export and deal with the nutrients but feed those bad boys.

[@TheCoralReefTalk]

Very informational, great video and great channel!

[@joeydemaio1470]

I'm using a large refugium with roller mat filter and still having big nitrate problems tired of the struggle and ready to give bio pellets a try... also bought a oversized skimmer that works great but still having trouble

[@SweatyReef]

Great video and great information. Keep these excellent videos coming.

[@bayareareefs8616]

Good video I started to run a bio pellet reactor and I'll say it works great and learned a few thing from this video so thanks

[@jennychurchill8953]

A shop!? You have a shop?! Omg! Def gonna check it out.

[@MotoSly]

this was really helpfull!! i am starting to set up my 70g cube tank... i want it to be sps dominated.... thnx for this info

[@jenkinscrew]

Another awesome video! Thanks Marc! I will definitely be running BP on my new tank with your info :-)

[@Physics072]

I don't understand why you had to keep adding nb7 each week. An established tank should have bacteria in it and the pellets will self seed in a week or so. Once the bacteria is on the pellets they will grow on their own and not die. Why keep adding bacteria each week? I have a 330 gallon + Reef Dynamics 500e reactor. I never added anything to it but pellets. Also what is the best flow through the reactor? Reef dynamics can change the outflow and pullet tumbling independently. I bet the output is like 60 gallon/hour and 300gph is used just to recirculate and move the pellets. Other reactors have the flow that moves the pellets best but the outflow may be too fast (300 gph not 60 gph) I thought I read some place the outflow should be under 100 for the pellets to work best. Any thoughts?

[@blatzphemy]

I had the opposite problem with my API test kit. I will never use their kits again, the little bit of money I saved cost me hundreds in livestock.

[@melevsreef]

While I don't mind using them, I've been using Elos for the past year or more. And I'm trying out some Hanna Checkers for a future review.

[@Emmanuel-rs7eu]

Great video as always! I agree they work out great. Ive been using them for around 5 months now and they've been keeping my nitrates very low. My alk is around 9.5 though and never had any burn out tips on my acropora so far but will keep an eye on it though. Thanks for the tips and continue the great work!

[@melevsreef]

Alkalinity may not be a factor after all. My water's alkalinity shot up out of control and it took months to bring it back to where I have it now and my corals didn't get burned either. Maybe it was light intensity as the water clarity improved.

[@Emmanuel-rs7eu]

Thanks for responding back! I forgot to ask you. Is it true that the biopellet reactor should be placed in a low light area? They say it affects the bacteria when it is exposed to light. I keep mine underneath my tank and I have to keep my door opened since my calcium reactor takes too much space. It makes something grow inside the calcium reactor only on the light side and it exposes my biopellet reactor to light also. I have a small setup (24 gallon display tank and a 20 gallon sump). Should i be concerned of the light issue in the long run?

[@melevsreef]

I've never heard anything about light before, but you can create shade to block light from casting upon the reactor. Here's something I use: melevsreef.com/node/2000

[@Emmanuel-rs7eu]

I heard that in one of Bulkreefsupply.com's videos...the 50 weeks of reefing series. True or not? It's debatable I guess. Thanks Ill check out your link!

[@jeremyriforgiate]

i really like this format!

[@jeremybw2180]

Why use bio-pellets that you constantly have to buy? Create an anoxic reactor filled with a porous media (lava rock) for facultative anaerobes with low flow (1 gallon/hr to start) and grow them with vinegar, sugar, or vodka dosing. Also, if you are denitrifying your water why are you running a skimmer? Denitrification and skimming ARE the same thing as far as nutrient export is concerned.

[@MrJusduit]

What do you think is better Bio Pellets or Sulfur reactor? All your info made me a success at fish keeping!

[@ManCaveReef]

very education video . thanks a lot

[@maximkanovikov9016]

Why did the overabundance of beneficial bacteria make your coral turn from green to brown? And why would stopping the bio pellets make it turn back to green?

[@melevsreef]

It was the overabundance of bacteria for sure. Getting it back to its normal volume allowed the coral to recover.

[@AquaGeek]

Unless there is a product that can completely eliminate water changes, might as well just do water changes only for nitrate reduction. Just my opinion.

[@melevsreef]

Triton does just that. And yes, water changes are good. This is just a method to help control and/or reduce nitrate between those water changes.

[@aaronarmstrongaa]

your videos are the best, easily the best on the net banking long way

[@melevsreef]

Thank you!

[@aaronarmstrongaa]

+melevsreef That's ok. Check out my vids is you have time and give me some feedback please

[@melevsreef]

I'll do that later today. :)

[@JanetDiaz6152]

I agree.. KZbin needs to give him an Award....

[@bayareareefs8616]

Why should they give him a award I don't understand that

[@PRFishGirl]

Great video....I just started using bio pellets I'm on week 3... Ugh... I did notice my water looks pretty darn clear of late lol..since starting the reactor I've had to retune my skimmer..but hope this helps my nitrates..

[@sandt1299]

I think a bio reactor will benefit me greatly.. Considering my feeding schedule. Bc I'm not willing to feed less. And my coral is doing fine, with the exception of a few pieces I lost when the nitrate started to raise initially. Besides that all good.. I just try to be consistent even bad consistent water parameters are better than being all over the place as far a trying to do to much. I would love to get your feed back as to my regiment.. Thanks again.. And thank you for your videos, your're my favorite channel.

[@melevsreef]

Sure, tell me what your routine is.

[@00Mass00]

If a fish's immune system is similar to humans, more fat is better for the immune system (not obese fat of course) So sounds like a plausible theory. However, little is known how immune systems work exactly, hormones/ stress, metabolism, nutrients all play a roll in it though.

[@g2s1m]

Love your videos! You talk about the real things that really happen in a reef! You make me know how easy is to mantain a good tank without dying in the attempt! Thnks!

[@melevsreef]

It's not all shiny corals all the time. Real things happen that cause issues, and it's how you deal with them that determines the outcome. I try to never overreact, even when my brain is screaming OMG at me. :)

[@chuckwieland3940]

Not sure you still read all these, but I am thinking about running bio pellets to keep Nitrates and Phosphates in check. I realize bio pellets are more for nitrate, but I understand there is a decrease in phosphate as well. My question is where I put the outflow if I have an external, recirculating MRC skimmer that is fed from one of the two return pumps. If I put the outflow into the return chamber, some of that water will go back into the tank and some will go into the skimmer. Any guidance is appreciated.

[@JoeGanja]

Finally the video! Lol I've been waiting for!

[@SickMeds]

Hey Mel, I know it’s old video, but since you’ve mentioned skimmers at the end of the video, I would like to ask how do you feel about ATB skimmers ? Keep on doing what you doing :) love your channel

[@philkyle8919]

put all that stuff in the bin go with natual sea water from a clean sourse 25 years in to useing it never had any problems with fish or corals no chemicals i do a 10% water change once a week where i am in the United kingdom comes in at 1.024 at 23c - 24c great video i all so feed my fish a lot and still keep a crystal glass like water.

[@tdub18914]

Pros and cons of a biopellet reactor vs nitrate reactor with sulfur?

[@ScottM]

Great video Marc with lots of really awesome information. I mix vinegar with my Kalk and wonder if there would be any issue with pellets. I have run pellets before running Kalk and just want your thoughts. My system is 90 gals. and I only use 80ml of vinegar in my ATO. I have been noticing some rise in nitrate in the last 2 weeks and I am a little cautious about raising my vinegar dosage. Keep up the great work.

[@melevsreef]

Kalkwasser and vinegar are mixed to get the most out of that solution (it helps the kalk dissolve better), but it's not carbon dosing. It will help with alkalinity, calcium and of course buffer pH of the reef. So in that regard, it will care for that demand... assuming it doesn't overdose the tank. Kalkwasser has a pH of 12, so be sure you have failsafes in place to avoid too much being added that could hurt your tank. Also, do your research now so you know exactly how much white vinegar to add directly to your tank if you do see an overdose one day. The white vinegar will bring the pH back down quickly so livestock has a chance to survive. Better to know that now, rather than when you are standing there in shock. Dosing vinegar in RO/DI water can help as a carbon dose, but if you go that route, you'll need to find the sweet spot that drops nitrate and keeps it down. I've only dosed with vodka in the past. Biopellets focus on nitrate mostly, and only partially on phosphate. You can read more on this page: melevsreef.com/articles/biopellets-use and blog.marinedepot.com/2014/05/biopellets-beginners-guide.html

[@ScottM]

+melevsreef Thank you

[@Mike__B]

Wow, really digging the regular updates to the channel. Out of curiosity is there a reason why your reactors wall are blue? Is it trying to filter out that wavelength of light? Or just a "snazzy look" thing? I ask because you say if the pellets turn grey remove them, but I'm curious how you can tell they're grey through that.

[@melevsreef]

That brand always used blue tubing. And if the pellets look normal (you see that near the end of the video), you would immediately tell if they were like the dead ones I shared earlier in the video. The mass will be clumpy, gooey, and even through the blue wall would look wrong. A clear reactor would show it better, obviously. If the flow stopped in the reactor for at least a day, I'd collect a sample of the output water in a cup and give it the sniff test. If it smells sour, it's ruined.

[@ausreefguy5362]

@melev'sreef mate love your channel, all your videos are very informative and easy to understand without getting into the technical jargon too much .. im just curious is it essential to dose MB7 every 5-7 days when running biopellets .. and could you possibly give me a link to help me understand the purpose of this dosing and it benefits .. keep up the excellent work mate.

[@melevsreef]

Did you happen to see the links in the video's description area? I put a few in there to give you some additional reading info.

[@pshootr]

I do believe in feeding fish in adequate amount, rather than under feeding them. As far as a fat fish being healthy, Maybe I really don't know. But when it comes to dogs, I can tell you a fat dog is not a healthy dog. Anyways thank you for the informative video. I aways enjoy your videos.

[@ericv435]

since i use biopellets goe with a T in my skimmer. My skimmer goes verry slow and the neck is dark brown/black glogging verry fast (+/- 2 days) that is so dry must i get a bigger skimmer(deltec SCC 1660 or SCC 2061) ive got the tunze doc 9410 500liter(+/-100G) aquarium

[@eugenioarpayoglou]

Isn't nitrate removed by anaerobic bacteria? Shouldn't a deep sand bed perform better than a bio pellet reactor? Maybe you had high nitrates after cleaning your sand bed because it hadn't yet established a decent bacterial colony. Just a theory. Great video, as usual. Thanks.

[@Zante_on_google]

Yes, anaerobic bacteria too, but this is a different kind of bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria split the nitrate to recover the oxygen, that is why they release nitrogen gas. These bacteria instead consume the nitrate to grow like plants do. Basically they also use the same ratio of nutrients that plants do: 1 part of phosphate, 16 parts of nitrate and 108 parts of carbon. The phosphate and nitrogen they get from the water, and the carbon from the polymers that the pellets are made of. It's the same principle as dosing vinegar, vodka or sugar, they are simply different sources of carbon,with the convenience of not having to dose every day.

[@melevsreef]

Let me bring you up to speed. I set up the 400g in 2011 with a DSB. I also set up the refugium then with a DSB as well. I added over 80lbs of livesand during that setup. 13 months later, zero nitrates registering, the tank sprung a leak. All the livestock was moved to a 215g tank, and the DSB from the reef was pulled and left in a rubbermaid outside. The sump & refugium continued to run, providing life support for the 215g temporary tank, which ended up being temporary for 18 months until I got the 400g replaced. When I set up the 400g anew, I washed all the sand and cycled the tank, then about a month later the livestock was transferred back into it. The refugium and sump were connected to the 400g and shortly thereafter the 215g was removed. The 400g 2.0 is coming up on its third year anniversary this November. I still don't know why the nitrate spiked between Dec & January, but I decided the refugium definitely needed to be cleaned out after four years of continuous use. The 400g's DSB was only about 26 months old. Finally, I feed heavily, and that of course can lead to rising nitrate, but with my system it just doesn't happen. The point of this video was to allow me to state categorically how biopellets could drop nitrate, especially in light of the fact I've not done a water change since February. I have every intention to get back to doing those, I just need to get this plumbing changed out. It will have to wait until after MACNA.

[@eugenioarpayoglou]

Thanks for the detailed response. Have fun at MACNA!

[@ROTTERtube]

Great video thanks Marc. Great as always! perfect timing on this for me. it's been about 4 weeks and nothing yet. i also started a refugium about a week ago. i know these things take time. it's on the 125 gallon tank. i have bacteria coming to seed. in the meantime, it's back to sugar dosing and a water change to get things under control.

[@melevsreef]

What's the current NO3 level?

[@ROTTERtube]

80 :(

[@melevsreef]

Been there, done that. It'll come down again.

[@tsurro8086]

Mine never smelled after not moving , u know after top plate got clogged, I still dose prodibio, but my nitrates are 12-16 ppm, can't get them down, I use to keep Dkh around 8, but now 9-10 with better growth, my local lfs runs pellets with dkh 11-12!! No burnt ends either... I think every tank is unique,do what's works!!

[@melevsreef]

It would be really nice if we had a hard fast rule of absolutes. Everyone has a different method that works for them. That's hard on those with experience, imagine being a newbie trying to sort out all these opinions we offer.

[@vmar8802]

I've been running my bio pellets for over 8 weeks and I haven't seen any change in nitrate levels. Not sure what could be going on. The only way I can get nitrates down is water changes.

[@Adrianjag1287]

Great video looking forward to seeing you at macna.

[@melevsreef]

Be sure to introduce yourself as the guy with the pink J avatar. ;)

[@paulhimmelman8364]

Question: How do you attach or position the outflow tube so that the effluent all goes into the skimmer?

[@USMCviking257]

Good info. Thanks

[@Ricardo-ff5wi]

Excellent video.I started BioPellets 4 months ago.....Although I have only had the "proper" tumble for a month.My effluent from the BP reactor is throwing off a BP"goo".So I plumbed it right into the secondary input of my Life Reef Skimmer.(It is half way up the body and provides a counter-current skimming action.) Do you see any adverse pump deterioration on your skimmer pump because of the BP goo going into it?

[@yalfonso85]

Hi Mark, great video. I am currently running the a biopellet reactor (about 6 months now) in my red sea reefer 250, but I have not dosed bacteria (Prodibio or Microbacter). My nitrates are at 20 and phosphates are at .32. Do you think I should start dosing Prodibio in conjunction with the biopellets and get a better result? Should I dose Phosphate Rx to lower phosphates as well? In addition, I'm also running a Clearwater Algae Scrubber that I clean out every 2 weeks or so. Thanks for all your informational videos. Very helpful.

[@Moondoggy1941]

I was using pellets and I started slow and then I added more and I noticed that my skimmer was coming alive and that I was having dry skimmate coming out of the holes of the skimmer cup. All was good until I noticed that Purple Tang looked like it was getting hole in the head and Hillea, my clowns also looked like it was getting a white spot over the mouth. So I pulled them. So my question is Can bio pellets cause Hillea?

[@classclownfish5982]

Great video!

[@melevsreef]

Nice avatar. :)

[@johnatella8498]

Could you just use pellets used for airsoft guns? They are relatively cheap.

[@melevsreef]

I don’t have any idea

[@davidmichael3137]

I was thinking about building a tube that will direct feed into my skimmer from the bio pellet reactor...Do you think that is unnecessary or perfect? My only concern is finding a way the the skimmer can still pull from tge sump and receive from the media reactor.

[@reefone6591]

But does it accomplish the same objective as the biopellets?

[@melevsreef]

No. It's goal is ULNS levels in the tank, and results in pastel-colored corals (at least historically). I've known a few users of that system. You had to stick to a very specific routine daily, and it was rather expensive. Biopellets are for nitrate reduction.

[@matthewodea3295]

an you use the in a freshwater tank and how much will I use each month iv a 247 litter tank how much does it cost

[@lamont22222]

Been running pellets for 6 months and they haven't done a thing but I haven't been dosing bacterial. I was under the assumption it just took a little longer to start.

[@melevsreef]

Make sure they are tumbling, that the top plate isn't clogged, and dose bacteria weekly. What is the current nitrate level in your tank? Besides measureable lower nitrate, you should see a gradual depletion of pellets over time. If they are the exact same as when you set them up, they've done nothing.

[@lamont22222]

The nitrates are sitting at 8 with the red sea kit. They are tumbling good no clogs plus its a recirculating reactor I was under the assumption that I didn't have to dose bacteria it would just take longer to populate now seeing that hasn't work I try dosing.

[@Cornovii]

Another great video Marc. Am I correct in saying that you do not use any GFO/Phosphate media and just use phosphate RX when required. I'm looking at implementing the same idea on my new 6ft long/shallow. Thanks man

[@melevsreef]

Yes, that is correct. I haven't used GFO in a decade.

[@Ellery-USA]

I can at least add another data point that Biopellets do work. I've been having a hard time keeping nitrates at 1.5 ppm since it goes to 0 on me and I think it messes with all my LPS. I have stopped needing to run GFO but only use LaCl as needed to keep my PO4

[@melevsreef]

You don't need to keep nitrates that low on purpose. 1.5 is great, our corals do need a bit of PO4 and No3. I saw a thread were people were adding nitrate to their too-clean tanks, and couldn't believe it. Add food, let that stuff rise a bit. Use biopellets and/or Phosphate Rx to keep it from getting out of control.

[@Ellery-USA]

Yup I've been adding Spectracide Stump Remover to try to keep my Nitrates to even 1.5 ppm. ~ 60mL/week in a 400 gallon system

[@melevsreef]

Sounds like we read the same thread. lol I'd feed more and not worry about it.

[@abdelatifaldaoud9755]

Hi Melev, i am new to your channel, also for the reef tanks, just wanted to say that i enjoyed your rich video, and actually benefit a lot, specially that since day one a year ago after cycling my new tank my nitrates are always on the high side, so finally i decided to use Bio Pellets reactor, and its running for one week, so far nothing changed with parameters, i guess i need to wait 4 weeks as you advised in your video to break in, is that right ?

[@melevsreef]

And make sure you are dosing bacteria on a regular basis too.

[@jackiekearney]

My skimz bio pellets reactor came with foam, so I should remove it? That's why I have to raise from time time the pump because it clogging. Thank you so mush for sharing this.

[@melevsreef]

I don't think the foam pad does you any favors.

[@yalfonso85]

Thank you, for this video. I seen a lot of your videos and they are very informative. This one specifically helped me understand the way bio pellets work before I start using them. I just wanted to ask in regards to the skimmer and aquarium I have. I have the Fluval M90 (36 gallons) with an upgraded skimmer (Tunze 9004). I read good reviews about the Tunze 9004 and decided to go with it for my aquarium. Do you believe this is a good enough skimmer for this system? I would like to get your input on this.

[@melevsreef]

Hmmm. I'm not positive about that one. I've seen some Tunze skimmers in the past, but nothing really impressed me about them - I just felt like they didn't match the rating. Keep in mind I'm comparing their design to bigger bulkier skimmers. Sorry I can't be more helpful about this one.

[@JayShort1000]

Hi Marc, great vid as always. I am currently running the Prodibio regimen (Digest, pTim, Stronti, Iodi, Vits, and RB) and looking to fire up a BP reactor in the next week or so when my upgraded return pump arrives (to run off a manifold). My question is do you need to continue dosing the Bioptim with biopellets? The BPs are now the food source for the bacteria correct? Thanks!

[@melevsreef]

I run Bioptim and Biodigest like normal. Since they work hand in hand, I never even considered stopping one or the other.

[@uknowwho80]

Oh man I've been saving to upgrade from the 210 to a 400 gallon so I can get a Vlamingi tang (my favorite !!!!)

[@reefone6591]

Thank you

[@motoxposse]

Mark was wondering if a 10 micron filter sock would filter out the waste of a bio pellet reactor? I know it's recommend to route the out put of the reactor to the input of the skimmer however the pellets can cause more skimmer maintenance, so my thought is have the sock catch most of the gunk then the skimmer takes care of the rest

[@melevsreef]

You could definitely give that a try.

[@fondoo]

my tank is about a year old now and its cycled. I'm battling with high phos and nitrates. does it with nopox and it brought phos slowly down, but nitrates are still high. i started a bio-pellet reactor, do I still need to use microbacteria still if the tank has add microbacteria??

[@ScottieMacF]

Sorry if you mentioned this in your video and I missed it, but how much flow is necessary for biopellets?

[@vettespinal5036]

I have a HOB protein skimmer , iam using a gfo reactor and let the water from it drain in to my refuguim its hanging on, i wanted to add a bio pellet reactor but everyone says it needs to empty in to my protein skimmer , i reall dont have way to that i can have it drain right next to the input of the pump , but its still in my main tank , so where is it safe to empty the out end of the REACTOR in to , can i just drain in to my refuguim also , or can i dump staight in to tank next to pump pick up , or should i not add a bio pellet reactor if i dont have a sump or can i run the bio pellets in to the gfo REACTOR, one in to another , if so which is the best order to put em in , Bio pellets first then GFO then out in to tank or what ?

[@steveclark3782]

HI Great video, when using pellets is it best run run a wet or dry skim ?

[@jeetendraprasad5257]

Quick question....when you fill up a brand new tank....everything is new....would you fill up with tap water and treat is as you go along and then add and mix salt...or do you start straight from RODI water?

[@melevsreef]

I would fill the tank up with saltwater (mixed up using RO/DI). There's never a good reason to use tap water. I know it takes longer, but this is a hobby about patience. :)

[@gregdemos9240]

i've been running BP for 3 years on 300g SPS system. had initial problems getting them to 'kick in'; ultimately required i modify the reactor (RD 500 - r.dynamics' largest) to allow for increased flow rate as well as cutting back on UV. went from 100ppm too now at undetectable NO3 and run GFO as needed to keep PO4 under.06ppm. problems i've had mostly due to biofilm sludge caking reactor plumbing (like snot) requiring weekly break down to clean reactor (nasty). either due to hvy bioload, BP breaking down too rapidly, or insufficient flow through reactor. i've been running increased flow through lately (same volume of media) and keep on feeding.

[@melevsreef]

Thanks for sharing your personal experience, Greg.

[@gregdemos9240]

what is your current Flow Through rate on BP reactor (measuring say ml/min on reactor effluent)?

[@melevsreef]

I couldn't say but I'd guess it's probably close to 500gph.

[@AngelPerez-nf5ji]

Another good vid!👍🏻

[@lenzpw]

Biopellets are amazing at keeping nitrates at zero. I've been using them for 3 years now after I struggled with Nitrates forever before that. Since using them though, I haven't had to add any more. I have maybe 200 ml in there on my 65 gallon and they never seem to need topping off. Anyone have a similar issue? I do the entire BioKit Reef dose every 2 weeks too and I still never have to add any more biopellets. Also, for the BioKit Reef from Prodibio, do you just put them all in at the same time and leave the skimmer off over night? Thanks.

[@melevsreef]

You've been running the same batch for three years? That's surprising. And they are tumbling? Regarding Prodibio, turning off the skimmer for a couple of hours is a good idea so you don't export what you just added.

[@cpartida33]

we love to watch your video your there best ty 4 ur time ...

[@The559iceman]

How do you feel about recirculated bio pellet reactors. Where you can control the output and the the tumble? Is it worth it.

[@melevsreef]

I've heard about them, I've seen a couple, but I've never used one and thus don't have any input one way or another. Single-pass reactors have worked well for me.

[@cubanreefer1582]

I have a red octopus skimmer and honestly never put out very much junk out of the water is always a tea color type of water, btw mine is already discontinued (was $290 when I purchased) any good model that you recommend from red octopus. Also I didn’t understand quite frankly, where did you pour your media bacteria, inside the reactor or just in the water? Thank you!

[@agsonethetube]

what size biopellet reactor would I need on a 32 gallon tanks

[@melevsreef]

A very small one could work. I saw that Two Little Fishies just released a tiny version of their Phosban Reactor, and named it Little Reactor.

[@darrylnelson6264]

I have an external skimmer. Can the output of the bio-pellet reactor be hard plumbed to my skimmer intake?

[@melevsreef]

I don’t believe so.

[@uknowwho80]

Thank you for your videos. I haven't done a water change in over 10 months, I use a super reef octopus 5000 , a 50gallon remote refugium with 60 pounds of miracle mud and also an algea scrubber in my 210. Lol. I also have a lot of tangs. :)

[@melevsreef]

What's your favorite tang?

[@chrisnwilm]

Howdy from Mississippi, So I am using a phosban 550 with now a 500GPH power head and I still can't get my biogen beads to roll like I see in other videos. They have been running for about 30 minutes and are kinda rolling but not like in your video. Do these things break in? or is the 1/2" line really restricting the flow of the pump? It's only 1/2" since thats how the unit is made with. Thanks and your info has helped our 125 gallon tremendously from green hair algae to this info on biopellets.

[@melevsreef]

+Chris I don't think the Phosban 550 reactor is suited for biopellets. It's originally intended for GFO media, not solid media like biopellets.

[@ericolsen9799]

Is dosing NoPox carbon dosing? I dose 2 mills every couple of days for phosphate control and it really helps. 60 gal 15 corals mixed. i dose Cal. and Alk daily but i cannot keep Alk over 7 is it because of the NoPox dosing you think?

[@hotwater8473]

Hey Mark, I’m getting ready to set up and AIO 25g lagoon 24x20x12 would you know or be able to recommend running a small bio pellet reactor and skimmer? I know in nano tanks ppl say just do more frequent water changes but the bio pellet reactor and skimmer seems “fun” to tinker with and enjoy the benefits of less nitrates.