coralreefer

Gill--you are doing fine...as long as they consistently get roughage (spirulina) they will do fine...a little mysid etc will keep things interesting...they can have digestive problems if they don't get enough veggies...if they consistently eat like pigs then they aren't having issues...they look plenty healthy...

DrMerle

ah, what the heck...I'll take green digi, both birds nest too...

DrMerle

Dibs on cali tort...where do you live?

DrMerle

I have a berlin classic hang on protien skimmer rated for 250 gallons i got this from a friend said it works great well i can't get any air to mix with the water the pump is the one that came with the skimmer and it just pushes water through the unit and the air hose any suggestions i've tried hooking it up to a diffrent powerhead and it still does the same thing pushes water through it fine but no air??????? any help or suggestions is greatly apriciated..(scratch)

check the nipple where the air intake hose attaches to the venturi...if it is clogged then air won't suck thru into pump and mix with water...

DrMerle

As any good noncommital scientist will tell you, we cannot with assurity blame the wrasses deaths on the biopellets...however, seems logical at this point to do so...

As a veterinarian, it find it interesting that only wrasses have been mentioned. What occurs (sometimes) when these pellets are introduced? Well, it has been noted that a quick bacteria proliferation can occur, sometimes in just a few hours. Well, what then happens? Well, a drop in pH can occur due to a drop in oxygen. Well, that could explain the resp distress of the wrasses, but wouldn't that occur to all fish? Why are wrasses different? How are they different? Well, certainly some wrasses bury themselves in the sand for rest or to elude predators or stress...yes. And, does anyone wonder how they can breathe and not suffocate under that sand, when most certainly anoxia must exist where they are?

Well, if they can glean oxygen from under the sand in low oxygen conditions, shouldn't they be able to better survive low oxygen conditions out in the tank, say better than angelfish or tangs? I would think so...unless they are now in an environment that is different, say more acidic???

I don't know...all I can come up with is the lowered pH effects wrasses more due to a difference in respiration...perhaps their body mucus is different, allowing them to obtain oxygen under the sand but condemning them to death should low oxygen and low pH occur simultaneously.

You tell me...you are of course, THE UNDRTKER!!!!

DrMerle

Update--1) I spent the last 4 days reading the Reef Central Thread of the Month (1700 posts) on NP Biopellets 2) I started Biopellets in my tank over the weekend--I will try and condense what I see and what I read...

I placed 500 ml of NP Biopellets in my sump, in TLF reactor with MaxiJet 900 fluidizing pellets...from all the videos I've seen, this combination (I lucked out) created the perfect tumbling rolling motion to the pellets--critical.

I innoculated the pellets with Microbacter 7 and Zeobac and continue to do so every other day so far--not critical.

I drip kalk and pH is stable during day 8.0-8.2 and at night rarely drops below 7.9-8.0. Within 2 hours of starting the pellets, pH dropped to 7.7 and stayed there for 4-6 hours before gradually rising back to normal range. No cloudiness was noted. NOTE--A healthy, eating fat Ornate Christmas Wrasse I had had for 8 days developed respiratory distress and was dead later that day. No other fish developed any issues and I cannot say with assurity that the pellets caused his demise, but obviously seems so. Bacteria clouds and pH drops have been reported with use of these pellets and is often heavy nutrient related (high nitrates/high phosphates)...the higher the nutrient level, the worse the reaction COULD be.

The next day, my water seemed unbelievable clear and clean (almost uniform result of pellet use). Another very common response related is increased polyp extension and improved color of fish and corals...usually noted by week 2-3. I have not seen that yet.

Prior to starting pellets, my phosphates had been zero/nitrates between zero and 5...alkalinity steady at 11, pH 8.1, temp 78, Ca 450, MG 1350...I am starting the pellets to prevent live rock absorption of excess phosphates/nitrates...I am also doing 10% water changes once weekly and running GFO/carbon in a separate TLF reactor. I am running a modified MSX200 skimmer with Bubble Blaster 3000 pump.

Summarizing threads from Reef Central--1) 2 other people had wrasses die after starting biopellets 2) contrary to what I had posted earlier, this product should be run in a reactor with adequate flow to cause a gentle tumbling rolling action 3) too many pellets initially or too low flow causes an increase in breakdown of pellets and cyano outbreak 4) too many pellets and too high flow can trigger bacterial bloom.

I would suggest positive comments versus negative comments came in at 8:2 ratio...it also appeared that negative situations were correctable in most cases and pellets have difficulty bringing down nitrates from greater than 80 and above. Appears that nitrates at 20-30- pellets had no trouble reducing to 5 or less.

Outflow tube positioned at intake of skimmer provided best results.

Positive points...1) Nitrate reduction

2) Obvious increase in water clarity

3) Difficult to overdose

4) Drastic reduction in maintenance required

5) New pellets added as old ones as used up

6) Moderate phosphate reduction

Negative points...1) gauging quantity of pellets needed

2) getting flow correct

3) reactor and pump strongly suggested

4) initial high cost of pellets

5) bacterial bloom/low oxygen reaction exists

Because nitrate reduction with these pellets is greater than phosphate reduction many posters were running GFO simultaneously with pellets and also it seems a few were weaning their systems off GFO because of pellet benefits.

My overall impression (and one poster impressed with this point) that this process COULD simulate ZEOvit process, without all the expensive additives.

Allowing for a lower nutrient system while increasing alkalinity COULD spur great, impressive coral growth without shelves of additives and rigorous dosing schedules.

Bottom line is we don't know yet how this will prove itself...I am loving my tank right now, mostly because I am able to sit and look without CONSTANTLY having to do maintenance. These biopellets may also take things to the next level...only time will tell...

DrMerle

upgrading to what?

M

SOLD Brad!!! PM me...

DrMerle

As an Oklahoma State alum, I'm loving the fact that they will be occasionally coming West, soooo, they can wup up on sum West Coast meat!!! Go Cowboys!!!

DrMerle

Marine Solutions and SWC are same skimmer...look at Marine Solutions also...I've got the MSX200...put a Bubble Blaster 3000 on it and never looked back...

DrMerle

Ken--

You raise some very good points...what you are describing is called the Redfield ratio, simply stated, over limiting one nutrient will reduce effectiveness of reducing the other nutrient (PO4--NO3), as they are proportionally removed by bacteria.

The latest information I have concerning NP Biopellets is they are more effective at N03 reduction than PO4, and additional PO4 removal MAY be beneficial...thus GFO...

My proposed approach may be off, but I would prefer to stay ahead of curve as long as possible until I see I'm headed down the wrong road...

I am interested in 1) maximal tank/coral/fish health while 2) keeping maintenance time (i.e. vodka dosing) to a minimum.

Good discussion here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1738775&highlight=redfield+ratio

DrMerle

Steve---please answer:

1) How big is your system?

2) How long have you been using them?

3) What are your PO4/NO3 levels?

4) How did you calculate how much to use?

5) What changes have you observed?

DrMerle

It does NOT take a reactor...a mesh baggie is fine...needs decent flow to establish aerobic bacteria...need to prevent anaerobic bacteria...near outflow of skimmer is great area, sump under overflow...splashing water, etc...

DrMerle

Time will tell on the downside, but I can tell you nothing "feels" crazier than adding vodka and/or sugar to a fish tank the first few times....I am following a lengthy thread on Reef Central and watching what happens as others ahead of me use this product...so far no negatives...just mild to moderate positives...

DrMerle

OK....as many of you know, I've been a vodka-sugar-vinegar + bacteria advocate for some time...last year it brought my nitrates and phosphates to zero after years of trying...however, the hair algae was persistent due to prior sins...tank was originally FOWLR...sand/rock impregnanted with PO4 and NO3...THUS...the tear down/rebuild...

Anyway, I am using GFO/carbon with intermittant bacteria...no VSV currently...I am interested in trying NP Biopellets...considered "solid vodka", these pellets are placed in an area of decent flow/oxygenation, bacteria colonizes the surface, feeding corals while reducing nitrates/phosphates, with the excess being skimmed out. Works very similarly to liquid carbon dosing except 1) no problems figuring out dosing regiment 2) no chance of over dosing 3) no schedule to keep 4) doesn't promote cyano

A great choice for newer tanks to prevent accumulation of nutrients, but allows for greater feeding frequency/amounts to fish and/or corals...

Can be placed in any reactor or sump...additions are made very 6 months or so as media is used up.

Trade off is cost...comes in 500 ml and 1L bags...1L runs about $100 and will run 150 gallon tank for 9-12 months...

Most people report clearer water immediately with improved polyp extension (which I need) and color enhancement within 3-4 weeks.

Sounds like something I could benefit from and I have an extra TLF reactor so...here we go...

PS...I have photos of new setup, just trying to sit down for 20 minutes and follow CA2ORs directions as to how to get photos off DROID and onto this site...

then I can post later pics and verify improvements if any...(rock2)

DrMerle

do a search on vodka dosing, sugar, vinegar, bacteria dosing...

All are forms of carbon dosing which feeds bacteria...the bacteria then consume phosphates and nitrates, thus helping to lower both, which starves algae...

I switched from sugar to dextrose, while also dosing vodka...persistent hair algae from years ago sins trapped in rocks made me start over...while I am not currently dosing carbon sources, I am occasionally adding bacteria, using Filtra M as a zeolite and running GFO/carbon...

I am very close to ordering and starting NP Biopellets, which are "solid vodka" pellets, automating the dosing carbon theory.

Stay tuned as I was close to starting a post on it.

wannabe---if your water is cloudy, you have a bacterial bloom...stop dosing until things clear and then start over at a lower dose, perhaps half as much...this is not a process to rush...

DrMerle

Whelks if large enough are edible...I could never eat one...I had a whelk years ago...named him Lawrence...LOL...Lawrence...get it...hahaha...Lawrence Whelk...

not yet...sounding...complicated...abort!...abort!...resistance is futile!

This tape will self destruct in 5 seconds!!!....

DrMerle

will work on it tonight and see what I come up with...thx...DrMerle

How do I post pics from my droid onto website thread?

DrMerle

Conch?

DrMerle

15 gallon change on 135 gallon tank + 40 gallon sump once weekly.

DrMerle

Sold...$40 for acro!!!

Double shot!!! Yea!!

DrMerle

Great...I'll box it up and send all "wheels" I've got with it...I'll handle shipping...you can send paypal for $50 to:

to PM paypal address...

I'll make sure it is clean...you need any pics?

Address?

DrMerle

Now I'm confused...who wants what? I'd be happy to ship anywhere...I even made an "opener" for the pump volute as it can be a b...h to get these Sicces open...I'll throw that in...

DrMerle