I honestly need to know how long Rob has had that Goniopora in his tank, or, is that an alviapora? Either way, I cant get any to grow and I need some inside info!
Jim, your video is very interesting. I am a Chemical Engineering student; in my Kinetic and reactor class, we discuss the concept of bio pellet internal reaction just like your video. Very intriguing video, bravo.
Hey Jim, it seems to me that a biopellet reactor could reduce the need for alternate filtration in a jellyfish system. To my understanding, these reactors alone might be perfect for jellies because the biofilm produced is beneficial to their health and most jellyfish have no need for nitrate or phosphate. What are your thoughts on this? Is there another need for wet/dry filtration in a jellyfish system?
hey M, too be honest, I dont see a need at this time to improve water quality in a jellyfish tank as it does not appear to be an issue. my needs are with livestock production and sales. I prefer bio-balls as they are inert, provide good biological filtration and dont add anything to the water.
hey W, my guess is water changes usually come along with gravel vacuuming and cleaning...resulting in over-cleaning, and that causes a slight decrease in biological capability, hence the ammonia spike.
@walsallcrew Simple enough is I found out my liverock alone wasn't enough to handle the large bioload of my system. I installed a wet dry bio ball setup today to compenstate for the liverock shortcomings of handling a FO setup. I used Amquel today to break down the ammonia. So far so good, and yes the bio pellets do cause a spike due to the cycle it goes through! Currently cycling the bio pellets on a bucket of tank water.
Is a protein skimmer a must when running a salt water fish only tank? I have a 55 gallon tank with a good canister filter but no room for a sump or skimmer. Wondering if this will be inadequate for a salt water tank with reasonable number and size salt water fish (no live rock or sand).
hey H, i set up my first SW tank back in 1985. it was filtered with a canister filter and an undergravel filter. I had a number of fish.... no reason you cant do something similar. I would start off with the lesser expensive fish.
Ok I tried the biopellets Jim and my tank nearly crashed from an ammonia spike! How come you or the other guy didn't warn us about this! I took the reactor of the system and am currently cycling the reactor on a bucket of tank water. Now what???? This thing almost killed my fish!
@lafishguy Reef Dynamics. I used only 2 cups for my fluidized chamber that is on a 125 gallon heavliy stocked FOWLR. Now the ammonia spike won't go away! Now what??? The ammonia measures 2 to 5 mg a liter. What can I do besides water changes to get rid of the excess ammonia? I currently run 135 pounds of liverock so the rock shuold have handled it. Maybe I should install a wet dry temporarily?
hey M, I would continue with the water changes. so what eles did you do to the tank when you added the bio-pellets, tell me about your fluidized chamber and why do you think the bio-pellets caused your ammonia to rise?
@lafishguy I didn't make any changes to the tank accept a 50% water change prior to installing the bio pellet reactor. I have a MRC fluidized bed chamber and put the reef dynamics NO PO in the chamber and adjusted the flow. After that a day later I have an ammonia spike and took the reactor offline after noticing the tanks cloudy water. I put the reactor on bucket of tank water and letting it cycle there. The Ammonia crept up more and now nitrites are showing up. The bucket is very cloudy too!
hey M, I am curious as to if you run a protein skimmer. I would contact Jeff at Reef Dynamics and ask him what happened and why, 707-733-3411....then share it with us.
I do run a large venturi skimmer. The bio pellets did cause an ammonia spike since they go through a cycle. I added some Kordon Amquel today to break down the Ammonia. So far so good. Installed a wet dry since the liverock alone couldn't handle the spike! Currently cycling the biopellets in a bucket of tank water. Huge ammonia and nitrites through the roof! Just gonna wait it out and see what happens. Again Thank You Jim for your concern. Your a stand up guy! Update soon.
hey M, how is the tank doing today? have you gotten any more answers as to why you got an ammonia spike? is that you posting in RC and stating you got the bio-pellets from BRS and the reactor from Reef Dynamics, as I am sure you said here in YT that you got the bio-pellets from Reef Dynamics and had an existing MRC Fliudized Bed Chamber?
Hi jim, Appreciate you for replying back. The tank is doing fine right now and no losses so far thanks to Amquel. I also installed a bio ball wet dry filter to compensate for biological filtration. Things I learned this week!
#1 Bio Pellets do go through a cycle which caused the ammonia spike!
#2 Liverock itself is not enough for biological filtration alone to handle that kind of ammonia spike!
#3 Cycle bio pellets in a bucket of tank water! Dont cycle it on your Display Tank!
can you do some videos on freshwater tanks? or have you... im relly intrested in fish and stuff but im no where near expearanced enough to handel a saltwater system, but its hard to find in depth videos on the balance and tools needed to keep that balance in a freshwater tank....
@fatcat4112 hey man salt systems are just as easy as fw systems just more expensive. read up on it before you start. the most confusing part is everyone has their own opinions about everything. take each one with a grain of salt and combine it with your own experience to come up with your own. lafishguy does a really good job at explaining stuff and isnt set on one particular way like some of the reef critics can be
hey H, since the new tank goes where the old currently is you dont have many choices. get a clean container, drain water from existing tank. do not clean anything! once you have enough water in container gentley move fish into the container. only drain out clean water. break down old tank and move filter to new tank. scoop gravel from old into new. pour old water into new tank and move the fish over. thats the plan, good luck.
hey jim, quick question...would it hurt to fill my 120 with ro water and let it run without filtration until after the new year? then ill be ready to dump the salt in and start cycling. no rock, sand, or nothing. just straight water, since its going to take forever to fill up anyway??? the reason i ask is because i just dont have the funds for that much salt right now.
hey J, whatever works for you. note that RO water wants to draw into itself anything. exposing it to the air it will draw in impurities. at the least I would cover the tank during filling.
@lafishguy sounds good!!! thanks as usual for the advice. im gonna go ahead and do it since i want to have everything ready for when i get my equipment, and its GOTTA be better than using tap.......im gonna keep moving forward my friend!!!! :)
Hey Jim....I began using biopellets about three months ago and everything was going great ...Lowered my nitrates and yes phosphates as well....only problem was I had some cora bleaching and almost lost my giant Toadstool Leather and after much research found that it actually made my water to clean. I took it off line and my toadstool still hasnt made a comeback but everything else has.....whats your thoughts on my situation ? .thanks Buddy !
hey T, Jeff made the same comment about his colored toadstool as well, reduction was too fast. its obvious that since you've slowed down the decrease you have seen a correction in most corals. give the toadstool some time.
well you are right they are wearing there Infinity shirt and u are wearing your jelly shirt did you help them out or the other way around at some point type in Custom Aquarium Reality TV Show
hey J, I am guessing you are looking at a picture from Heidi and Spencers apartment from MTV's The Hills, and I am setting up a Jelliquarium...and the Infinity Boys are helping.
Only issue with these in "most" case's they don't lower PO4 and is advised not to run a PO4 media along side it. So that's a downfall if po4 is high. But I'm breaking some in now so will see how they go. Thanks reef dynamics. You should have your own vids ;)
I really like this. Atm thou i use bio fuel. It works amazing at reducing the excess nutrients in my tank. It contains the nutrients then the skimmer pulls it out. Try if your not in the market for more equipment but need to reduce nutrients. Bio fuel is what its called. Jim. Thanks again for another great episode. Great quality. It was like watching a bluray on my iphone. Awesome. Keep it up. Id like to see some more beginner sps vids thou. I want to be more successful with my sps corals.
Thanks for this amazing video...Jeff Macare is a very knowledgeable person..Bio pellets is the future..Yet another advance product from Reef Dynamics..
hey S, other than the interview with Jeff I have no personal experience with bio-pellets. I am filming the addition of a Scrubber on my own personal tank, which will aire soon. based on costs... the Bio Pellets and reactor version is less costly than a Scrubber and pump version.
sounds ok but good aquarium husbandry is a better fix then a gimmick that makes your aquarium more of a chore then a hobby. But great information to know thanks Jim :)
Good info, my question is if I am having success keeping my nitrates and phosphates down with running a refugium with cheato, would I still need to look at something like this?
These have been massive in the UK in the past 12 months. With mixed reviews. I would say 80% of them are good. Only main issue is it can take a lot longer than one week for the levels to start to decrease. Maybe some people set it up wrong? But we all know every tank is different. I recently brought a reactor for these and will be setting up next week!
Hey jim, let me know if your ever in the 818 Canoga Park CA. area, Ive been watch your show for years and would love to get an autograph and picture with you .
I honestly need to know how long Rob has had that Goniopora in his tank, or, is that an alviapora? Either way, I cant get any to grow and I need some inside info!
BMWdriverwanted 3 days ago
hey B, you mean Jeff, and I do think its an Aliviapora...but I am sure he would be happy to tell you if you called him at 707.733.3411
lafishguy 3 days ago
Jim, your video is very interesting. I am a Chemical Engineering student; in my Kinetic and reactor class, we discuss the concept of bio pellet internal reaction just like your video. Very intriguing video, bravo.
viethluu 1 month ago
Hey Jim, it seems to me that a biopellet reactor could reduce the need for alternate filtration in a jellyfish system. To my understanding, these reactors alone might be perfect for jellies because the biofilm produced is beneficial to their health and most jellyfish have no need for nitrate or phosphate. What are your thoughts on this? Is there another need for wet/dry filtration in a jellyfish system?
Thanks
macroinverts 2 months ago
hey M, too be honest, I dont see a need at this time to improve water quality in a jellyfish tank as it does not appear to be an issue. my needs are with livestock production and sales. I prefer bio-balls as they are inert, provide good biological filtration and dont add anything to the water.
lafishguy 2 months ago
@moneymarcmes
It's highly unlikely the pellets are the cause for your ammonia spike. Its more likely something died and is rotting away.
walsallcrew 2 months ago
hey W, my guess is water changes usually come along with gravel vacuuming and cleaning...resulting in over-cleaning, and that causes a slight decrease in biological capability, hence the ammonia spike.
lafishguy 2 months ago
@walsallcrew Simple enough is I found out my liverock alone wasn't enough to handle the large bioload of my system. I installed a wet dry bio ball setup today to compenstate for the liverock shortcomings of handling a FO setup. I used Amquel today to break down the ammonia. So far so good, and yes the bio pellets do cause a spike due to the cycle it goes through! Currently cycling the bio pellets on a bucket of tank water.
MoneyMarcMes 2 months ago
Jim,
Is a protein skimmer a must when running a salt water fish only tank? I have a 55 gallon tank with a good canister filter but no room for a sump or skimmer. Wondering if this will be inadequate for a salt water tank with reasonable number and size salt water fish (no live rock or sand).
Thanks.
hoaryhoary 2 months ago
hey H, i set up my first SW tank back in 1985. it was filtered with a canister filter and an undergravel filter. I had a number of fish.... no reason you cant do something similar. I would start off with the lesser expensive fish.
lafishguy 2 months ago
Ok I tried the biopellets Jim and my tank nearly crashed from an ammonia spike! How come you or the other guy didn't warn us about this! I took the reactor of the system and am currently cycling the reactor on a bucket of tank water. Now what???? This thing almost killed my fish!
MoneyMarcMes 2 months ago
hey M, why do you think you got an ammonia spike? where did you get your bio-pellets from?
lafishguy 2 months ago
@lafishguy Reef Dynamics. I used only 2 cups for my fluidized chamber that is on a 125 gallon heavliy stocked FOWLR. Now the ammonia spike won't go away! Now what??? The ammonia measures 2 to 5 mg a liter. What can I do besides water changes to get rid of the excess ammonia? I currently run 135 pounds of liverock so the rock shuold have handled it. Maybe I should install a wet dry temporarily?
MoneyMarcMes 2 months ago
hey M, I would continue with the water changes. so what eles did you do to the tank when you added the bio-pellets, tell me about your fluidized chamber and why do you think the bio-pellets caused your ammonia to rise?
lafishguy 2 months ago
@lafishguy I didn't make any changes to the tank accept a 50% water change prior to installing the bio pellet reactor. I have a MRC fluidized bed chamber and put the reef dynamics NO PO in the chamber and adjusted the flow. After that a day later I have an ammonia spike and took the reactor offline after noticing the tanks cloudy water. I put the reactor on bucket of tank water and letting it cycle there. The Ammonia crept up more and now nitrites are showing up. The bucket is very cloudy too!
MoneyMarcMes 2 months ago
hey M, I am curious as to if you run a protein skimmer. I would contact Jeff at Reef Dynamics and ask him what happened and why, 707-733-3411....then share it with us.
lafishguy 2 months ago
@lafishguy
Hi Jim,
I do run a large venturi skimmer. The bio pellets did cause an ammonia spike since they go through a cycle. I added some Kordon Amquel today to break down the Ammonia. So far so good. Installed a wet dry since the liverock alone couldn't handle the spike! Currently cycling the biopellets in a bucket of tank water. Huge ammonia and nitrites through the roof! Just gonna wait it out and see what happens. Again Thank You Jim for your concern. Your a stand up guy! Update soon.
MoneyMarcMes 2 months ago
hey M, how is the tank doing today? have you gotten any more answers as to why you got an ammonia spike? is that you posting in RC and stating you got the bio-pellets from BRS and the reactor from Reef Dynamics, as I am sure you said here in YT that you got the bio-pellets from Reef Dynamics and had an existing MRC Fliudized Bed Chamber?
lafishguy 2 months ago
@lafishguy
Hi jim, Appreciate you for replying back. The tank is doing fine right now and no losses so far thanks to Amquel. I also installed a bio ball wet dry filter to compensate for biological filtration. Things I learned this week!
#1 Bio Pellets do go through a cycle which caused the ammonia spike!
#2 Liverock itself is not enough for biological filtration alone to handle that kind of ammonia spike!
#3 Cycle bio pellets in a bucket of tank water! Dont cycle it on your Display Tank!
MoneyMarcMes 2 months ago
can you do some videos on freshwater tanks? or have you... im relly intrested in fish and stuff but im no where near expearanced enough to handel a saltwater system, but its hard to find in depth videos on the balance and tools needed to keep that balance in a freshwater tank....
fatcat4112 2 months ago
hey F, i dont have any FW accounts right now.
lafishguy 2 months ago
@fatcat4112 hey man salt systems are just as easy as fw systems just more expensive. read up on it before you start. the most confusing part is everyone has their own opinions about everything. take each one with a grain of salt and combine it with your own experience to come up with your own. lafishguy does a really good job at explaining stuff and isnt set on one particular way like some of the reef critics can be
5taticip 2 months ago
Hi Jim, i'm a UK fan of you're videos! :)
.I found out that my29 Gallon tank is leaking & i want to change it for a new bigger tank.(250 gallons!:)
My current tank has been up and running for 3 1/2 years & my two Goldfish are 3 years old.
I want to know what the best way for me to transfer them to the new tank with little disruption as they have been ill lately.
The new tank will be in the same spot. Is it OK to keep the old water/gravel and just put it the new tank without cycling again?
Hotlips4000isback 2 months ago
hey H, since the new tank goes where the old currently is you dont have many choices. get a clean container, drain water from existing tank. do not clean anything! once you have enough water in container gentley move fish into the container. only drain out clean water. break down old tank and move filter to new tank. scoop gravel from old into new. pour old water into new tank and move the fish over. thats the plan, good luck.
lafishguy 2 months ago
@lafishguy
Thanks Jim for the advice and for replying SO quickly! :)
I will do what you suggested. :)
Is it OK if i put some stress Coat in the temporary container so the fish don't freak out during the move?
And is there a certain amount of time between transferring the fish to the mew tank i should stick to , or doesn't it matter?
Hotlips4000isback 2 months ago
hey H, yes time does matter. go about it at a prompt pace.
lafishguy 2 months ago
@lafishguy
Yeah i will do it withing two hours approximately.
I'll make sure the new tank is cleaned beforehand, and my new back ground is on it before the switchover.
I got two massive plastic storage containers today, that's where the fish will be(with filter), and another for the gravel.
I'll have a friend to help out with removing old tank for new; (they are HEAVY! :)
And will putting everything back in place.
It should be a quick job.
Hotlips4000isback 2 months ago
hey H, i would also run some bubbles into the holding containers while the fish are in there to help with the O2
lafishguy 2 months ago
@lafishguy
Yeah, i have an air pump(Interpet AV4) with 4 air-stones attached to it in my tank, i will put those in the holding container also :).
Hotlips4000isback 2 months ago
hey jim, quick question...would it hurt to fill my 120 with ro water and let it run without filtration until after the new year? then ill be ready to dump the salt in and start cycling. no rock, sand, or nothing. just straight water, since its going to take forever to fill up anyway??? the reason i ask is because i just dont have the funds for that much salt right now.
jaygorny 2 months ago
hey J, whatever works for you. note that RO water wants to draw into itself anything. exposing it to the air it will draw in impurities. at the least I would cover the tank during filling.
lafishguy 2 months ago
@lafishguy sounds good!!! thanks as usual for the advice. im gonna go ahead and do it since i want to have everything ready for when i get my equipment, and its GOTTA be better than using tap.......im gonna keep moving forward my friend!!!! :)
jaygorny 2 months ago
Hey Jim....I began using biopellets about three months ago and everything was going great ...Lowered my nitrates and yes phosphates as well....only problem was I had some cora bleaching and almost lost my giant Toadstool Leather and after much research found that it actually made my water to clean. I took it off line and my toadstool still hasnt made a comeback but everything else has.....whats your thoughts on my situation ? .thanks Buddy !
MrTiger36544 2 months ago
hey T, Jeff made the same comment about his colored toadstool as well, reduction was too fast. its obvious that since you've slowed down the decrease you have seen a correction in most corals. give the toadstool some time.
lafishguy 2 months ago
well you are right they are wearing there Infinity shirt and u are wearing your jelly shirt did you help them out or the other way around at some point type in Custom Aquarium Reality TV Show
jlalonde1000 2 months ago
hey J, I am guessing you are looking at a picture from Heidi and Spencers apartment from MTV's The Hills, and I am setting up a Jelliquarium...and the Infinity Boys are helping.
lafishguy 2 months ago
hey jim i saw a pic of you wearing A Infinity Aquariums what is with that do u work with them
jlalonde1000 2 months ago
hey J, go back and look as I do not own one of their shirts.
lafishguy 2 months ago
Only issue with these in "most" case's they don't lower PO4 and is advised not to run a PO4 media along side it. So that's a downfall if po4 is high. But I'm breaking some in now so will see how they go. Thanks reef dynamics. You should have your own vids ;)
walsallcrew 2 months ago
Reactors are available on our site now! w3 reef dynamics com . All reactors ordered through the end of the year come with free pellets!
reefdynamicsmfg 2 months ago
I really love your videos man!
MattMadoni 2 months ago
I really like this. Atm thou i use bio fuel. It works amazing at reducing the excess nutrients in my tank. It contains the nutrients then the skimmer pulls it out. Try if your not in the market for more equipment but need to reduce nutrients. Bio fuel is what its called. Jim. Thanks again for another great episode. Great quality. It was like watching a bluray on my iphone. Awesome. Keep it up. Id like to see some more beginner sps vids thou. I want to be more successful with my sps corals.
Sammy31Dee 2 months ago
Hello Sir..
Thanks for this amazing video...Jeff Macare is a very knowledgeable person..Bio pellets is the future..Yet another advance product from Reef Dynamics..
Thanks once again
Krisnaive (Apurba Krishna Mandal)
krisnaive 2 months ago
great episode!
reeftools 2 months ago
What happens to the slime/nutients when running this on a Freshwater tank. I guess this is a question for Jeff.
sirrealtravelr 2 months ago
hey S, good question, and its one you should direct to Jeff as I dont know.
lafishguy 2 months ago
Hi Jim,ignore my last question, i found the response!
stepnic2 2 months ago
Love your Vids been a long sub. Whats up with the adverts in the middle of a great vids?
martyhowie75 2 months ago
hey M, they are the results of needing financing to help produce videos and my personal interest in exploring many types of film making.
lafishguy 2 months ago
Hi Jim, sounds similar to an algae scrubber. In your opinion, which is better?
stepnic2 2 months ago
hey S, other than the interview with Jeff I have no personal experience with bio-pellets. I am filming the addition of a Scrubber on my own personal tank, which will aire soon. based on costs... the Bio Pellets and reactor version is less costly than a Scrubber and pump version.
lafishguy 2 months ago
Hey Jim long time viewer, could i get this product living in Australia?
dudepros 2 months ago
hey D, I am sure you can but you need to contact Jeff at Reef Dynamics directly.
lafishguy 2 months ago
sounds ok but good aquarium husbandry is a better fix then a gimmick that makes your aquarium more of a chore then a hobby. But great information to know thanks Jim :)
CoralMan24 2 months ago
ima firen mah lazor!
Slacking02 2 months ago
Good info, my question is if I am having success keeping my nitrates and phosphates down with running a refugium with cheato, would I still need to look at something like this?
wesleyforbes 2 months ago
hey W, i would say no you dont. there is an old saying "if it aint broke, dont fix it".
lafishguy 2 months ago
as always very informative ...how do we acquire such product? oh and whats new with the 1000 gallon tank
nigspencer1982 2 months ago
hey N, contact Reef Dynamics for product, and no news on the 1000.
lafishguy 2 months ago
And we know them as bio pearls
walsallcrew 2 months ago
These have been massive in the UK in the past 12 months. With mixed reviews. I would say 80% of them are good. Only main issue is it can take a lot longer than one week for the levels to start to decrease. Maybe some people set it up wrong? But we all know every tank is different. I recently brought a reactor for these and will be setting up next week!
walsallcrew 2 months ago
nice one, thumbs up Jim
djruth62 2 months ago
Great part II video. Thumbs up here!!
adjusterfrank 2 months ago
I forsee that reactor draining in a power outage if its placed to high.
SaltCritters 2 months ago
whoa awesome a new episode LOL this is great i feel like im in the new now that i just watched mostly every episode! :D
nguy522 2 months ago
wow!!! thats a super tech. hope i can find it in singapore. thanks jim for all the cool info. you are the man.
shinobe900 2 months ago
Hey jim, let me know if your ever in the 818 Canoga Park CA. area, Ive been watch your show for years and would love to get an autograph and picture with you .
Thanks, Andy
Godblesseveryone4 2 months ago
Hi Jim.
Love seeing all your new video HD, Please keep them comeing in HD.
thanks
TheAquasea 2 months ago
what if you have no nitrites to begin with? can you use this as a preventative measure?
snowboarderrx 2 months ago
hey S, you would have to diligently monitor those low levels, as zero is not good, but yes you could.
lafishguy 2 months ago
@snowboarderrx i assume you mean nitrates, not nitrites right?
cullensaquarium 2 months ago
Really interesting technology.. :) Would really benefit a non planted freshwater tank too..
BeerBellyDK 2 months ago
hey B, as I understand yes it would.
lafishguy 2 months ago
Comment removed
ericparsley23 2 months ago