NPX Bioplastics

[DaveKGold]

Anyone out there using NPX bioplastic beads? I had these set up in a chamber on my Red Sea Max 34 g and didn't notice any real improvement in phosphates or nitrates. I ended up using Phosban (or something similar) which really did lower the phosphates and Dinitrate which somewhat lowered the nitrates, albeit temporarily. This all started due to a hair algae problem. Once the phosphates were gone the hair algae went away, thankfully.

On my new 75 g tank, which is a much better system with a much better skimmer (Bubble Magus) I decided to try the NPX again. Some input I got from a couple of LFS was that if I started up the tank with the NPX it would be ideal. I figured I could always go back to phosban if I needed to.

This time I bought it in a kit from Marine Depot along wtih a Two Little Fishies 150 reactor which has the adaptor screens for the reactor. So far so good. I'm running it about at 650 gpm off my sump on a seperate pump, with the intake next to the skimmer and the return by the sump return pump. The beads are definitely fluidized but don't seem to be tumbling too much.

So far water chemistry is very good but I've only had this set-up running a few weeks now, so I'll have to see.

Anyway I would be interested to hear if other folks have had some experience with this stuff.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[zoee314]

How long did you have them in before you tested for PO4 and NO3?..Ive been using for a year..

 

[DaveKGold]

On this new tank, maybe three weeks. On my old tank, probably a few months, and never noticed much of a difference. Did you have any progress on your tank? What are you housing them in?

 

[h0ndap0w3r]

My po4 is. 01... nitrate 0.. I've had the pellets running for almost a year... they need to tu mble very aggressively otherwise the reactor might clog then its a huge mess... but I've also contemplated the idea that my system is to clean ... I don't know...haha..

 

[zoee314]

I have nothing but love for bio pellets since ive been using them..along with a bag of phosban,in the sump, or reactor (I prefer sump method) and, you are good to go.water changing descreased to 4-6 times a year (alternating 30% and 60%)I run the pellets in a Lifeguard FB Filter..got it for $10.00 a year ago and never looked back

 

[zoee314]

Ca(OH)2 also helps in exporting PO4

 

[DaveKGold]

Now that my tank is stocked and has been running about two months, I will write on this subject again. Tested the water a couple a days ago and nitrates were 0 as were phophates.

About a week ago I did have nitrates around 15 ppm. Someone suggested that I make sure that the return line from the cannister was close to the skimmer; I had it emptying downstream from that. So I moved it closer to the skimmer, and viola, 0 ppm nitrates.

Hoping this trend continues.

 

[fonz4u]

What size pump are u using with the 150 reactor. I couldn't get mine to tumble the pellets properly.