Biopellet reactor in the works by Aquarium Specialty and NextReef

By Jake Adams on Jan 21, 2010

Hot on the heels of the announcement of Fauna Marin Zeo-Matic 2 Reactor we come to learn that Aquarium Specialty is working with NextReef to develop of fluidized Biopellet Reactor. It only makes sense that the North American distributor of the Dutch Biopellets would team up with the media reactor specialists over at NextReef to take the initiative in developing a product that would optimize the performance of the solid-carbon-dosing Biopellets. At the outset the Biopellet Reactor will only be available in bundles of two sizes: the smaller bioreactor with the half liter of biopellets and a larger version that will come with the full liter of the biopolymer pearls. No word on whether the media reactor will include integrated or external flow adjustment or a water pump but it better include the former, preferably in a well designed integrated form like a wedge pipe or a dial (we’re looking at you Scott!). Word is that NextReef should be receiving their Biopellets very soon to test out on the prototype reactors. Keep it locked to Reef Builders for forthcoming pics and/or vids of the new biopellet reactor in action.

pickle

i’ve heard rumors about about these carbon pellets. sounds like a great idea, just hope it’s priced well enough to compete with the magic that’s in a $20 bottle of AZ-NO3.
pickle

i’ve heard rumors about about these carbon pellets. sounds like a great idea, just hope it’s priced well enough to compete with the magic that’s in a $20 bottle of AZ-NO3.
http://coralidea.com Jake Adams

The bigger question is whether the magic will stick around for 4-6 months at a time.
http://coralidea.com Jake Adams

The bigger question is whether the magic will stick around for 4-6 months at a time.
http://coralidea.com Jake Adams

The bigger question is whether the magic will stick around for 4-6 months at a time.
shiveley

So…what makes this different than any other media reactor out there…aside from the Biopellets, that is.
shiveley

So…what makes this different than any other media reactor out there…aside from the Biopellets, that is.
http://coralidea.com Jake Adams

@shiveley this reactor will be specially designed to encourage the ‘fluidizing’ of the lightweight biopellets, with intake and outflow screens that prevent this size of media to pass through.
http://coralidea.com Jake Adams

@shiveley this reactor will be specially designed to encourage the ‘fluidizing’ of the lightweight biopellets, with intake and outflow screens that prevent this size of media to pass through.
shiveley

But don’t most media reactors on the market already utilize two sponges (one on the bottom and one on the top) to prevent media pass through? I guess I should just wait and see the thing before second guessing it. I guess I just can’t picture how it would be much different than what already exists (which might just be a limitation of my imagination).
shiveley

But don’t most media reactors on the market already utilize two sponges (one on the bottom and one on the top) to prevent media pass through? I guess I should just wait and see the thing before second guessing it. I guess I just can’t picture how it would be much different than what already exists (which might just be a limitation of my imagination).
xsiborg

Sponges are a problem for heavily fed tanks (Non Photo tanks). Running the current reactors without sponges will let the biopellets through the holes of the diffuser/plenum due the pellet size which are smaller. This will help resolve this issue, a different hole config w/o the sponges…
xsiborg

Sponges are a problem for heavily fed tanks (Non Photo tanks). Running the current reactors without sponges will let the biopellets through the holes of the diffuser/plenum due the pellet size which are smaller. This will help resolve this issue, a different hole config w/o the sponges…
http://www.reefaquatica.com Hubert the Clownfishman

@Jake – your explanation is exactly what all the fluidized media reactor in the market is suppose to be doing out there

It looks like the typical phosban reactor design.

@xsiborg, you can always do a pre-filter on the intake to avoid sponges getting clogged.
http://www.reefaquatica.com Hubert the Clownfishman

@Jake – your explanation is exactly what all the fluidized media reactor in the market is suppose to be doing out there

It looks like the typical phosban reactor design.

@xsiborg, you can always do a pre-filter on the intake to avoid sponges getting clogged.
http://coralidea.com Jake Adams

@hubert the image above is exactly one of their off the shelf media reactors. pictures of the actual unit will be posted as soon as we get them. The phosban and other medias are designed for upward flow but that doesnt make them true fluidized reactors. The Quicksand filter is an example of a true fluidized bed filter.
http://coralidea.com Jake Adams

@hubert the image above is exactly one of their off the shelf media reactors. pictures of the actual unit will be posted as soon as we get them. The phosban and other medias are designed for upward flow but that doesnt make them true fluidized reactors. The Quicksand filter is an example of a true fluidized bed filter.
Alfred

All they have to do is shape it like a cone, charge 3x more, and it will fly off the shelves.
Alfred

All they have to do is shape it like a cone, charge 3x more, and it will fly off the shelves.
reef

It’s a gimmick.

You can us the Biopellets in Most Fluidized reactors; I use my in Deltec reactor and removed the sponges, works perfectly.

Must be disparate for news
reef

It’s a gimmick.

You can us the Biopellets in Most Fluidized reactors; I use my in Deltec reactor and removed the sponges, works perfectly.

Must be disparate for news
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com Scott G

You are all correct in saying that you can use off the shelf reactors. That’s not the point however. The point is that Next Reef, maybe with a little help from us, will design a reactor that works better with this size and type of media. It will probably have applications with other types of media also but who know at this point since we are not that far along in the process yet. Right now I’m simply using a clear canister for the media that I use to run carbon in. The product is really geared towards people that don’t already have a reactor or people that want a new reactor and they want a nicer option for the biopellets.
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com Scott G

You are all correct in saying that you can use off the shelf reactors. That’s not the point however. The point is that Next Reef, maybe with a little help from us, will design a reactor that works better with this size and type of media. It will probably have applications with other types of media also but who know at this point since we are not that far along in the process yet. Right now I’m simply using a clear canister for the media that I use to run carbon in. The product is really geared towards people that don’t already have a reactor or people that want a new reactor and they want a nicer option for the biopellets.
steve

Maybe I missed it but isn’t there supposed to be review as to the effectiveness of the pellets? I was waiting to hear if the darn things even work. By association the same holds true for the Instant Ocean product. Any one have success stories?
steve

Maybe I missed it but isn’t there supposed to be review as to the effectiveness of the pellets? I was waiting to hear if the darn things even work. By association the same holds true for the Instant Ocean product. Any one have success stories?
http://coralidea.com Jake Adams

@Steve- Have some patience man. The reefbuilders staff and our extended network of testers are starting to put the biopellets to the test. we are being very slow and methodical in our approach with this untested solid carbon dosing system. We don’t expect to have anything to report back with confidence until late spring or early summer. Same thing with IO’s NNR: taking it nice and slow so we can isolate the true effects of the product. I hope you understand
http://coralidea.com Jake Adams

@Steve- Have some patience man. The reefbuilders staff and our extended network of testers are starting to put the biopellets to the test. we are being very slow and methodical in our approach with this untested solid carbon dosing system. We don’t expect to have anything to report back with confidence until late spring or early summer. Same thing with IO’s NNR: taking it nice and slow so we can isolate the true effects of the product. I hope you understand
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