[cali_reef]

Quote: Originally Posted by AlohaTropics Hi Tim, I'm not sure about this but I think it would take an enormous amount of bacteria to consume the PO4 that your system seems to create. I would try to bring the PO4 down to lower levels with some Phosban or GFO and then let the Biopellets maintain those levels. I've been running my BioPellets for about 2 weeks now. My PO4 levels have stayed pretty constant around .06 - .07

I don't understand this logic.. How could the pallets maintain a low PO4 level after a different method is used to bring it down, if the source of the PO4 has not changed?

I would think the tank is bacteria limited at this point and not food source limited if the PO4 and No3 is not dropping anymore. These pallet supposed to be a "feed on demand" carbon source, so you don't have to dose daily.

[AlohaTropics]

Quote: Originally Posted by cali_reef I don't understand this logic.. How could the pallets maintain a low PO4 level after a different method is used to bring it down, if the source of the PO4 has not changed? I would think the tank is bacteria limited at this point and not food source limited if the PO4 and No3 is not dropping anymore. These pallet supposed to be a "feed on demand" carbon source, so you don't have to dose daily.

I was going with the idea that the system has accumulated a high PO4 over time. In order to bring that level down, it would take a large population of bacteria. You want the bacteria that is cultured in the Pellets to consume at a even rate of production (in terms of PO4 and NO3). I don't think the system is actually producing PO4 at rate of .75ppm, thats probably an accumulation over time.

[cali_reef]

Quote: Originally Posted by AlohaTropics I was going with the idea that the system has accumulated a high PO4 over time. In order to bring that level down, it would take a large population of bacteria. You want the bacteria that is cultured in the Pellets to consume at a even rate of production (in terms of PO4 and NO3). I don't think the system is actually producing PO4 at rate of .75ppm, thats probably an accumulation over time.

So how does he do that with GFO?

[nyfireman3097]

just looking into getting this and def. gonna follow this thread before buying

[Wes]

Quote: Originally Posted by AlohaTropics I was going with the idea that the system has accumulated a high PO4 over time. In order to bring that level down, it would take a large population of bacteria. You want the bacteria that is cultured in the Pellets to consume at a even rate of production (in terms of PO4 and NO3). I don't think the system is actually producing PO4 at rate of .75ppm, thats probably an accumulation over time.

A system does not create phosphates. Phosphates are added by feeding. If you are predicting that the bacteria has reached equilibrium and reads 0.75. That means the bacteria is only cancelling out what is added via food. Skipping a few feedings will put the theory to the test. Less feeding with the same bacterial population would lower the phosphates. Unless of course the pellets do not work as advertised.

[ari5736]

Updates? I would love an alternative to daily vodka dosing. I would think if levels are not coming down any more after initial drop you need to add more pellets.

[Tim]

I just tested after adding new phosban about a week ago and the phos. is down to .10 with regular feeding`s and no water change.I think the reason for the high initial reading`s was that the LR that is in the tank is leaching phos. back into the water(LR was in a FO tank with no rodi just well water for mixing and topoff). The next step will be a water change of 20% to see what happen`s to the reading`s. Stay tuned.......

[Euroreefer]

So was it the Phosban, or the Biopellets? lol

[Tim]

I was always running Phosban and it never got reading`s down to this level. I am going to say it is a combo effect. I want to see what happens after a water change.....

[Euroreefer]

Damn! lol, maybe take the phosban off line to see if they remain low? These pellets are supposed to maintain levels, but you cant tell if your running a Proven method mixed in with them.