LA Fishguys, Bio Pellets, Episode 107 pt2

Join us in the one hundred and seventh episode of LA Fishguys as Jim Stime of Aquarium Design in Thousand Oaks CALIF visits Jeff Macare of Reef Dynamics and discusses Bio Pellets and how to use them.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Bio
• Pellets
• Aquarium

[BMWdriverwanted]

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!

[lafishguy]

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

[macroinverts]

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

[lafishguy]

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.

[walsallcrew]

@moneymarcmes

It's highly unlikely the pellets are the cause for your ammonia spike. Its more likely something died and is rotting away.

[lafishguy]

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.

[viethluu]

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.

[MoneyMarcMes]

@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]

@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]

@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!

[lafishguy]

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.