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My biopellet reactor

A

ageek2000

It was working great for about a month, but now the pellets are not moving.

I checked the air pump -- it seems fine.

When I shake the reactor, things get moving but die down after a little while.

If I flush the water in the reactor, things get moving for a little longer but eventually die down.

What can I do to keep the pellets moving?

Thanks for your time.

Jim
 
Brando457

Brando457

What reactor are you running? What kind of "air pump"?

From my understanding you want a pretty highflow pump like 300 gph or so to keep all the pellets tumbling consistently. Also depending on the reactor ensure that the screens and intake/output filter screens are clear of any debris.
 
Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
You should not be using an air pump with Bio pellets. I have been using Warner Marine Pellets for more than three years now. I was a beta tester for Jon Warner and We have found out over time they work better with a slow tumble and not high force tumble. That because if the are tumbling to fast the bacteria will be wash off.
Here are somethings to look at that might help your pellets.
You should not use sponge in the reactor they will get clogged and reduce water flow. You should have screen's inside the reactor.
If you have high bacteria in your system that can make the pellets clump together.
A good rule for the amount of pellets is 500ml per 100 gallons of system water.
You should have at least 1/3 of the reactor with out pellets so they can move freely.
Some cheap reactors just do not work well.
I hope this helps. If you have any more questions I will do my best to help you.
 
Brando457

Brando457

Daniel do you think the reef octopus super space saving reactors are worth it or the cad light ones? I'm thinking of running the cad lights conic one that came out.

Still not sure if I should run pellets from the beginning of the tank cycle with gfo and carbon or after cycle. I would think in the beginning because then it lets it colonize the same time as the liverock does.
 
Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Brando457 said:
Daniel do you think the reef octopus super space saving reactors are worth it or the cad light ones? I'm thinking of running the cad lights conic one that came out.

Still not sure if I should run pellets from the beginning of the tank cycle with gfo and carbon or after cycle. I would think in the beginning because then it lets it colonize the same time as the liverock does.
Click to expand...

I like the way CONIC Bio-Reactor looks but they are moving way to fast. I have not seen reef octopus super space saving reactor is person but it looks nice.
I am using Avast MR5 Media Reactor, 18" Tall and it works great with my bio pellets I have 1L of pellets in the reactor.

I would do the bio pellets right from the beginning. It will not hurt and if anything it will help colonize at the same time as the liverock .
 
A

ageek2000

Hey guys. Sorry it took me a while to get back to you; work is crazy! I think I have the reactor set up correctly with the right amount of pellets for my system (I have a twelve gallon nano). My reactor is produced by Two Little Fishies. I think my pellets are clumping together due to the bacteria. Twice a day I shake swing the reactor from side to side a few times, and this helps for a few hours.

My question is -- since my pellets are clumping together, should I dump them and add new pellets? What is the rule with changing the pellets?

Thanks for your time.

Jim
 
downbeach

downbeach

You shouldn't have to change the pellets, just add to them as they are used up. If they are clumping you need to increase the flow through them, a little like you do for GFO, not too fast, just enough to keep them from clumping up.
 
Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
downbeach said:
You shouldn't have to change the pellets, just add to them as they are used up. If they are clumping you need to increase the flow through them, a little like you do for GFO, not too fast, just enough to keep them from clumping up.
Click to expand...

Very well said
 
Brando457

Brando457

Daniel I emailed cadlight regarding their reactor and they said while it may look fast it is actually a gentle flow. I did express the same concern too about it being rough and too fast. They ensured me it wouldnt so im leaning towards rhat.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk
 
Fish Brain

Fish Brain

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
ageek2000 said:
Hey guys. I have the Two Little Fishes product. I have two flexible hoses running from it (I think they are 3/4 inch hoses). My airflow comes from a Mini-Jet 606 powerhead. Do you think I should upgrade to a different powerhead? I had trouble finding one that can work with the 3/4 inch hose.

What do you think? Thanks for your time.

Jim
Click to expand...

TLF 150 reactors use 1/2" ID tubing. A Mini jet 606 doesn't have nearly enough output for the reactor. A Maxi-jet 900 would be a much better choice and will work with the 1/2" tubing.
 
Daniel

Daniel

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Well said their Brain I would also recommend maxijet 900. I would put the 2 little fishies hose valve on the out put of the Mxijet pump. You should not be feeding air into the bio pellets.
 
A

ageek2000

Thanks guys. I just ordered up the 900. It doesn't appear that it will take up much more room in my tank than the 600.

You guys rock!

Jim :)
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I have a maxijet 1200 on my TLF 150 reactor for my biopellets. At full power (ball valve all the way open) I have just the right amount of flow. I'm running about 750ml of pellets in it.

If you're going to run that much or more in yours, I'd recommend getting an MJ 1200 instead of a 900. You can always close the valve slightly if you think it's too much... but if the 900 isn't enough flow then there's nothing you can do except get a bigger pump.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Fish Brain

Fish Brain

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
George, He only has a 12 gallon nano so I think a MJ-1200 would definitely be over kill on his little tank. Plus the heat generated from the 20W the MJ-1200 puts out might cause a heat problem in his tank.

For larger systems or running two reactors the MJ-1200 would be the way to go.
 
falconut

falconut

NJRC Member
Yeah, the MJ-900 should be fine for his amount. I'm running 500ml of pellets with a MJ-1000 and I keep the valve throttled back a little.
 
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