If we use too much pellets early on, they cause an explosion of bacteria that will deplete the oxygen from the display. I like to start off with 1/4 the recommended abount, run it for two weeks testing NO3 every other day, and slowly add pellets to dial in my NO3 target. I learned the hard way...... Great video.
I Put the full 48 oz in my 330 gallon but I used a Reef Dynamics 500 reactor with the outflow fitted to the intake of my skimmer. Never had a issue in the main tank. Maybe you did not have a skimmer. The skimmer cleans it out. Also if yoiu have say hair algae in the tank the Nitrates will often read a false negative or low. So checking for nitrates is not always accurate. They are being eaten up by the plants/algae.
I have that bio pellet reactor and HATE it! It clogs frequently and it doesn’t support the capacity it’s documented for. The other big problem is it’s a nightmare to get new pellets in each time. What isn’t shown here in the video is that if you don’t have the central tube installed before you put the pellets in, they get jammed up in the tube while inserting it. Removing the top pulls the tube out. You have to pour everything out, clean the tube, which is hard as there is some sort of weird float ball inside it, which gets clogged frequently, put the tube back in, stuff something inside the top of the hole and hold it with one hand while you pour the pellets in. Then keep holding while you put the screen on and lock it down. It’s not hard in the end, but it’s a pain in the ass and nowhere is it documented how you do this. Took a while to get the hang of it. In the end I switched to a BioMaxx reactor for pellets. You don’t have to go through all that nonsense to add pellets and the center tube has no restrictions inside it. You can actually add the capacity of pellets it claims it can support and get a very good tumble. I normally stand by Reef Octopus products, but this thing is very poorly designed!!!
Good info - excellent video for someone like me, because I need to see the actual experience of others as opposed to what comes from vendors or manufacturers. I’ve just put some GFO in my system because the phosphates are creeping up (I know why it’s happening, just can’t make adjustments at this time). I tested PO4 about 18 hrs after putting in the GFO, and they dropped about 10%, so very promising. Nitrates have been long-term stable at 5ppm. Question: will adding the GFO mean I should stop using NoPox? Right now I’m using 4ml/day and I credit that for keeping the NO3 stable, but it isn’t handling the PO4. What do you think?
Hey Reefgrrl so patience in cycling down then off NoPox seems to be a safe suggestion to avoid an algae flare-up from suddenly stopping NoPox or any carbon dosing. My tank is completely off NoPox, PhosGuard, GFO, RowaPhos etc and Carbon (temporary) as I transition over to a refugium setup with chaeto algae. Very small water changes quarterly for sandbed vacuuming purposes. But I triggered a bad hair algae outbreak in the process. The corals are thriving thru it. I've officially entered the ugly tank phase. lol
Thanks Jason, I wasn’t sure if the GFO would take the place of NoPox once it’s working properly. And isn’t it strange how we are always tinkering with our tanks, looking to try new things? I’m sure your tank will bounce back and all will be well, if your past work is anything to go by. 😁
I dont mean to be so off topic but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account..? I was dumb lost the password. I love any tricks you can give me
Javi's reef Yes, I run GFO reactor for phosphate control. And a separate reactor for bio pellets which controls nitrate. If you're not familiar with these reactors And media. Go to bulk reef supply on UA-camThey have great information will videos.
If we use too much pellets early on, they cause an explosion of bacteria that will deplete the oxygen from the display. I like to start off with 1/4 the recommended abount, run it for two weeks testing NO3 every other day, and slowly add pellets to dial in my NO3 target. I learned the hard way......
Great video.
I Put the full 48 oz in my 330 gallon but I used a Reef Dynamics 500 reactor with the outflow fitted to the intake of my skimmer. Never had a issue in the main tank. Maybe you did not have a skimmer. The skimmer cleans it out. Also if yoiu have say hair algae in the tank the Nitrates will often read a false negative or low. So checking for nitrates is not always accurate. They are being eaten up by the plants/algae.
Carpeted floor ! U are a brave man.. Informative video.... Thank you. For Nitrates use Pellets. For Phosphates use GFO.
I have that bio pellet reactor and HATE it! It clogs frequently and it doesn’t support the capacity it’s documented for. The other big problem is it’s a nightmare to get new pellets in each time.
What isn’t shown here in the video is that if you don’t have the central tube installed before you put the pellets in, they get jammed up in the tube while inserting it. Removing the top pulls the tube out. You have to pour everything out, clean the tube, which is hard as there is some sort of weird float ball inside it, which gets clogged frequently, put the tube back in, stuff something inside the top of the hole and hold it with one hand while you pour the pellets in. Then keep holding while you put the screen on and lock it down. It’s not hard in the end, but it’s a pain in the ass and nowhere is it documented how you do this. Took a while to get the hang of it.
In the end I switched to a BioMaxx reactor for pellets. You don’t have to go through all that nonsense to add pellets and the center tube has no restrictions inside it. You can actually add the capacity of pellets it claims it can support and get a very good tumble. I normally stand by Reef Octopus products, but this thing is very poorly designed!!!
Great information!
Good info - excellent video for someone like me, because I need to see the actual experience of others as opposed to what comes from vendors or manufacturers. I’ve just put some GFO in my system because the phosphates are creeping up (I know why it’s happening, just can’t make adjustments at this time). I tested PO4 about 18 hrs after putting in the GFO, and they dropped about 10%, so very promising. Nitrates have been long-term stable at 5ppm.
Question: will adding the GFO mean I should stop using NoPox? Right now I’m using 4ml/day and I credit that for keeping the NO3 stable, but it isn’t handling the PO4. What do you think?
Reefgrrl
Not sure on that addictive .
I use pellets and GFO only. Sorry
Hey Reefgrrl so patience in cycling down then off NoPox seems to be a safe suggestion to avoid an algae flare-up from suddenly stopping NoPox or any carbon dosing. My tank is completely off NoPox, PhosGuard, GFO, RowaPhos etc and Carbon (temporary) as I transition over to a refugium setup with chaeto algae. Very small water changes quarterly for sandbed vacuuming purposes. But I triggered a bad hair algae outbreak in the process. The corals are thriving thru it. I've officially entered the ugly tank phase. lol
No worries - I’m sure my best friend, google, will help if I ask. 🤪
Thanks Jason, I wasn’t sure if the GFO would take the place of NoPox once it’s working properly. And isn’t it strange how we are always tinkering with our tanks, looking to try new things? I’m sure your tank will bounce back and all will be well, if your past work is anything to go by. 😁
I dont mean to be so off topic but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account..?
I was dumb lost the password. I love any tricks you can give me
If i have a chaeto in my refugium still can i use gfo and bio pellets? I am planning a 1200g system with heavy bio load.
Subscribed ref Rotter Tube Reef
Keep up the good work . . .
Thanks. Good information
Good info thanks
Can you run gfo and bio pellets in the same system using 2 different reactors?
Javi's reef
Yes, I run GFO reactor for phosphate control.
And a separate reactor for bio pellets which controls nitrate.
If you're not familiar with these reactors And media.
Go to bulk reef supply on UA-camThey have great information will videos.
@@Abreezeducttesting dont you have to have a skimmer for the bio pellets?
@@johnmcneely6967 I believe you need one to remove waste and add oxygen .
I would not run gfo like that …