Bio-Pellets and GFO

[Flynnstone]

i would like to start a poll ( not 100% certain how though), on who uses the bio-pellets alone and who uses it in combination with GFO. i would also like to include what food type is used. it would also be of intrest to know what everyones Nitrate and Phosphate readings are.
thank you for your time and help, this info will be used to benefit the hobby.


1. Pellets and Frozen
2. Pellets and Flake
3. Pellets and Pellet food
4. Pellets and mixture of foods

5. Pellets, GFO, and Frozen
6.Pellets, GFO, and Flake
7. Pellets, GFO, and Pellet food
8. Pellets, GFO, and mixture of foods

[Tom Toro]

Originally Posted by Flynnstone

i would like to start a poll ( not 100% certain how though), on who uses the bio-pellets alone and who uses it in combination with GFO. i would also like to include what food type is used. it would also be of intrest to know what everyones Nitrate and Phosphate readings are.
thank you for your time and help, this info will be used to benefit the hobby.


1. Pellets and Frozen
2. Pellets and Flake
3. Pellets and Pellet food
4. Pellets and mixture of foods

5. Pellets, GFO, and Frozen
6.Pellets, GFO, and Flake
7. Pellets, GFO, and Pellet food
8. Pellets, GFO, and mixture of foods

i use vertex pellets (750ml) and feeds heavily, 11 good size fish 5 large tangs (5" and above) 240g dt 400 total volume. No gfo. No carbon. No bacteria additives Nitrates under 20.

[ReefWerks]

Pellets or Active pearls. Never both GFO or Pellets together, overkill....When we run or suggest to run GFO its high capacity only with food..

[binford4000]

running pellets and feed a mixture of food and use high capicty gfo also

[slapshot]

Pellets and GFO when my nitrates won't fall far enough. Id say 1/2 the time. If your pellets don't seem to be taking your nitrates down then your phosphates are too high. Run some GFO and both will drop further. Some weird balance thing I don't understand.

I also feed very heavy. Every hour 24/7.

[Flynnstone]

the pellets wont remove either substance if any one is depleted. the ratio that is consumed by bacteria is 50:10:1 (carbon:Nitrates:phos)
i believe the majority of people use Pellets in combination with the GFO. therefore we are adding more Phosphates to a tank than what is being consumed by the bacteria.

[ReefWerks]

Originally Posted by Flynnstone

the pellets wont remove either substance if any one is depleted. the ratio that is consumed by bacteria is 50:10:1 (carbon:Nitrates:phos)
i believe the majority of people use Pellets in combination with the GFO. therefore we are adding more Phosphates to a tank than what is being consumed by the bacteria.

This is why I love this hobby...We run AP's with a no-trate but have never run GFO and AP's. We had unstable readings that did not make us comfortable.

Love to see feedback on combo's

[slapshot]

Originally Posted by Flynnstone

the pellets wont remove either substance if any one is depleted. the ratio that is consumed by bacteria is 50:10:1 (carbon:Nitrates:phos)
i believe the majority of people use Pellets in combination with the GFO. therefore we are adding more Phosphates to a tank than what is being consumed by the bacteria.

Ahhhhh there you go. Thank you!

[dentdominator]

Since using bio pellets the nitrates and phosphates never hit "O" on test kits. I'm using Salifert for nitrate and a Hanna egg for phosphates. I converted my 60 gallon frag tank into a refugium and incorporated cheato and 12 mangroves with HO T5's plantmax bulbs and the tank finally hit 0.00 phosphates and 0.2 on nitrates. I was told if I used bio pellets the macro algae with dwindle away but the cheato continues to grow and the mangroves are taking off towards the light. I've never been so happy with this combination.



Happy Holidays

[iyachtuxivm]

I am running brs biopellets in a RO reactor and at the advise of others have stopped using gfo about two weeks before the addition of biopellets. The biopellets have been in action for about 7-8 weeks no noticable improvements in either nitrate or P04. 15-20 on nitrate .35 on P04. I feed pretty heavy have an auto feeder drop a small portion of spectrum pellets two times a day and feed arctipods or a frozen food when I get home 6 nights a week. 3 times a week I feed the corals some oyster feast.