Krzysztof Tryc is an experienced reef aquarist who has been in the “Low Nutrient Zone” for over five years using various methods including Zeovit and Biopellets. Krzysztof’s brilliant and colorful reef tanks have won him the coveted Dream Tank of The Quarter award over on Zeovit.com and his SPS displays continue to turn heads due to their intense coloration and sophisticated reefing techniques.
The Biopellet-powered reef tank of Krzystof was one of the first to make the case for solid carbon dosing and with his new display, he makes a very convincing coral reef aquarium using the new formula of All-in-One Biopellets. This particular SPS-dominated aquarium has been using solely All in One Biopellets since May of this year, with two liters of the media being used in a recirculating reactor.
Initially a standard fluidized reactor was used but this device didn’t allow precise adjustment of the outflow. However, the recirculating reactor allowed for rigorous mixing of the media while reducing the actual outflow of water passing through, which in this case amounts to 500 liters per hour.
Using All in One biopellets the Nitrates and Phosphates remain very low, usually around 0.5 mg/l and 0.01 mg/l respectively. When he used standard NP-reducing biopellets, Krzystof found that the nitrates would be reduced almost to zero but that some phosphates would remain, requiring the use of PO4 removing media, which is no longer the case using the newer AIO Biopellets.
The bare bottom no doubt helps to further reduce the build up of nutrients in the first place as does a very efficient Bubble King 250 protein skimmer. Additives include Biogro bacteria, Fauna Marin color elements, and Salifert Coralline AminoAcids and regular weekly water changes with high quality Professional Salt mix rounds out the maintenance regimen.
If “the proof is in the pudding”, then Krzystof has a heaping helping of evidence to support that Biopellets can be really effective at reducing nutrient levels to those that are really conducive to successful stony coral aquariums. Big thanks to Krzystof for producing the video of his reefing tank and sharing the details of his current method for keeping brilliant and colorful stony corals.
