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question NEXTREEF reactor MR1
- Thread starter Olivier
- Start date
j/k 
You can run bio pellets in any fluidized bed reactor. The sponges are removed and replaced with mesh, either TLF screens or you can get it at a craft store and make your own. It's called plastic canvas and used for various crafts and you can cut it to fit your reactor.
The bacteria grow on the outside of the pellets and form a film. As they die off this film gets removed by the mixing action of the pellets. This film can clog foam filters over time and is why the screens are used. The film can be consumed by corals or removed by the protien skimmer. Julien Sprung told me at the meeting, If you run bio pellets, you must run a skimmer to help oxygenate the water and remove the bio pellet waste.
So the short answer to your question is yes. ;D
The bacteria grow on the outside of the pellets and form a film. As they die off this film gets removed by the mixing action of the pellets. This film can clog foam filters over time and is why the screens are used. The film can be consumed by corals or removed by the protien skimmer. Julien Sprung told me at the meeting, If you run bio pellets, you must run a skimmer to help oxygenate the water and remove the bio pellet waste.
So the short answer to your question is yes. ;D
I was looking at getting a MR1 shorty myself to run bio pellets. I already have the screens and pellets. Next time I go to AO will be picking one up.
You would first need to determine how much media you need for your system and then determine what size reactor you will need. My systems are small @ 40 and 65 gallons so I don't need a big reactor.
I would recommend keeping the bio pellets in a separate reactor since the service live of the pellets compared to other types of media is different. Carbon normally gets replaced every month where as bio pellets will last 6-12 months before you need to add more.
If you had a dual reactor like the BRS Dual media reactor you can run different media without having to disturb the bio pellets.
I have a TLF reactor for carbon on the 40 and want to add pellets so I figured I would give the MR1 a shot. When I set up my 65 I will go the BRS dual reactor route.
I would recommend keeping the bio pellets in a separate reactor since the service live of the pellets compared to other types of media is different. Carbon normally gets replaced every month where as bio pellets will last 6-12 months before you need to add more.
If you had a dual reactor like the BRS Dual media reactor you can run different media without having to disturb the bio pellets.
I have a TLF reactor for carbon on the 40 and want to add pellets so I figured I would give the MR1 a shot. When I set up my 65 I will go the BRS dual reactor route.
I recently acquired a 1000ml container of the ecobak pellets and have been considering how to add it to my system too. My current system is as described in my signature, plus I also am running a BRS dual reactor - one for carbon and the other for GFO (running on a maxijet 1200).
Can I just remove the GFO and replace it with the pellets? I've heard that if you're currently running GFO then you should continue using it for the first month of adding the pellets. If that's true, then I either have to switch out the carbon instead (and maybe run carbon in a media bag for a month) or I need to add another reactor + pump. If I do the second one, then that would basically eliminate one or more of my dual reactors, no? (Not sure if I would still need the carbon with the pellets?)
Olivier, I found this Link on Reef Central where someone asked about using the MR1 with pellets... and if you read the whole thread there is a nice mod DIY video of how to make it have better flow.
Thermosts, I was looking at the MR1 shorty also, since I don't need a lot for my 75g tank. Would you still run a dual reactor with carbon and/or gfh?
I don't have any issues with phosphate with my current setup, but I've heard these pellets work great, and don't need to be changed for like 6 months... plus they remove cyano, which I tend to get small patches every now and again. Since I have the pellets already, I want to start using them. ;D
Can I just remove the GFO and replace it with the pellets? I've heard that if you're currently running GFO then you should continue using it for the first month of adding the pellets. If that's true, then I either have to switch out the carbon instead (and maybe run carbon in a media bag for a month) or I need to add another reactor + pump. If I do the second one, then that would basically eliminate one or more of my dual reactors, no? (Not sure if I would still need the carbon with the pellets?)
Olivier, I found this Link on Reef Central where someone asked about using the MR1 with pellets... and if you read the whole thread there is a nice mod DIY video of how to make it have better flow.
Thermosts, I was looking at the MR1 shorty also, since I don't need a lot for my 75g tank. Would you still run a dual reactor with carbon and/or gfh?
I don't have any issues with phosphate with my current setup, but I've heard these pellets work great, and don't need to be changed for like 6 months... plus they remove cyano, which I tend to get small patches every now and again. Since I have the pellets already, I want to start using them. ;D
For 20 dollars you can purchase directly from Nextreef (ask for Amanda) a conversion kit that will make MR1 MR1XL or Shorty be able to run bio-pellets. She will send you
5/8" Nylon Threaded Barbs X2
Retaining Ring x2
Heavy Duty Nylon PlenumX2
1/2" to 5/8" piece of vinyl tube
Some Documentation
Nifty Sticker
A roll of plumbers tape
And the shattered dreams of small children who found out santa was fake.
Jut cause their directions suck
1. Remove old barbs
2. Tape and screw in NEW barbs.
3. Slide New (little dot plenum) down the tube on TOP of the old plenum. then slide retaining ring down securing them together.
4. Slide retaining ring on the top and remove old plenum. Slide new plenum and rest it on the retaining ring.
5. Your going to need a pump putting out like 300/400 gph to get the biopellets bubbling.
6. If you ask about the reason they don't release a CONE shaped Plenum its because there is a problem even with on the market cone shaped plenums that when power is cut. Bio-pellets have a habit of settling INSIDE of the tube... and through hydro-dynamics they work their way back up the tube and into pumps.
GL.
5/8" Nylon Threaded Barbs X2
Retaining Ring x2
Heavy Duty Nylon PlenumX2
1/2" to 5/8" piece of vinyl tube
Some Documentation
Nifty Sticker
A roll of plumbers tape
And the shattered dreams of small children who found out santa was fake.
Jut cause their directions suck
1. Remove old barbs
2. Tape and screw in NEW barbs.
3. Slide New (little dot plenum) down the tube on TOP of the old plenum. then slide retaining ring down securing them together.
4. Slide retaining ring on the top and remove old plenum. Slide new plenum and rest it on the retaining ring.
5. Your going to need a pump putting out like 300/400 gph to get the biopellets bubbling.
6. If you ask about the reason they don't release a CONE shaped Plenum its because there is a problem even with on the market cone shaped plenums that when power is cut. Bio-pellets have a habit of settling INSIDE of the tube... and through hydro-dynamics they work their way back up the tube and into pumps.
GL.