Deciding to go with BioPellet Reactor

S

Seanytotha

Member
As title says, I'm planning to go with an Aquamaxx Biomaxx Biopellet Reactor with ecoBAK Biopellets as the media and a Mag 3 to power it. I've been doing a lot of reading about BP reactors and that it's a hit or miss if you decide to run a refugium with macro algae as well. I wanted to go ahead and try this out because I want an area of macro algae and rock rubble to grow cope pods and things of that nature, but I've read that the pellets sometimes starve the algae of all nutrients and it eventually dies off. If the macro doesn't work out, am I still able to grow cope pods with just live rock rubble in the refugium?

My other question is that since I'll need a good skimmer rated for a bigger tank in order to skim out the bacteria that comes out of the reactor, how much bigger of a skimmer, gallons wise do I have to go in order to keep up with the heavy feedings, bioload and reactor?

My build is consisting of a 60 gallon cube, with a sump capacity of around 15-20 gallons or so. I'm limited on the size of skimmer I can fit into my skimmer chamber so I've come down to two choices so far.

I was looking at either the Bubble Magus NAC 5.5 which is rated for 80-135 gallons:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Bubble_M...kimmers-Bubble_Magus-4W03522-FIPSISNW-vi.html

Or the Bubble Magus Curve 5, rated up to 140 gallons:
http://www.barrierreefaquariums.com/productcart/pc/Bubble-Magus-Curve-5-469p11298.htm

I don't know the difference between these two skimmers, both made by the same company. I was not able to find any decent reviews for the NAC 5.5 but I found many positive reviews for the Curve 5 and everyone sounded happy with it.

The Curve 5 sounds like the obvious choice here, but I'd like to see your opinions and what's worked for you as well!
 
gmguy496 said:
if ur considering the bubble magus u should save some money and go with this is exactly the same skimmer u just need to cut the adapter that goes into the skimmer body flush with the skimmer body to allow less bubble turbulence http://www.scaquariums.com/protein-skimmers/sc-aquariums-sca-303-150-gallon-protein-skimmer.html
Click to expand...

Good value, looks like a good skimmer for the price. Like as I said earlier, I'm limited on my sump space and the foot print on that skimmer is fairly large for my sump lol. Thanks for the recommendation though I appreciate it!
 
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bubble-magus-bm-nac7-cone-protein-skimmer.html

Or this unit if u can get it to fit. Pellets are cool but expect a long process to know exactly how much your system is going to need....also remember to go REAL SLOW when adding pellets. They work to well sometime. As far as skimmer goes I would get something larger than the ones you have listed. U figure you'll have 40 to 50 Gallo s of water in your system. Skimmer rating imo are really good for a third of what they say with a heavy bioload. U may want to rethink the sump a little

Jus my $0 .02
 
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