*
Using pellets on a system suffering from “Old Tank Syndrome” (OTS) is not
recommended without a strong understanding of the causation behind the OTS. Please
consult with an expert resource prior to beginning any probiotics.
*
Using pellets to engage a prevalent cyano “red slime” problem is not recommended
without the due diligence of research and preparation. Red slime is actually a bacteria
that can utilize the carbon as a food source.
In order to overcome cyano-related issues, vacuum out as much of the slime as possible.
This should be followed by a series of small daily water changes (5-10%, siphoning out
any visible debris) and an aggressive inoculation of a high quality bacterial additive.
These steps help to reduce the biomass of the cyano while allowing for more beneficial
strains of bacteria to establish themselves prior to the introduction of a labile carbon
source.
*Ensure that all your water parameters are within Natural Salt Water (NSW) levels prior
to using Pro-Bio Pellets:
Salinity
1.023 – 1.025
Ca
375 – 450 ppm
Mg
1300-1400 ppm
K
380 – 400 ppm
dkH
7.0 – 8.0
pH
8.0 – 8.3
*When starting newer tanks, follow the directions on the packaging. When introducing
pellets to an established system, start with 10-25% of the recommended pellet volume.
Always inoculate the pellets with a high quality bacterial additive. Failure to properly
seed may lead to low efficacy.
Starting Out
1.
Pay careful attention to all the preparations as stated above.
2.
Determine the
Net
water volume of your system (total water volume minus rock and
substrates).
3.
Start with a tall media reactor rated to or larger than your water volume. Media reactors that
allow for high flow are ideal. Do not use any sponges within your media filters, they will clog
with bacterial films and restrict flow. Plastic mesh screens are recommended.
4.
Measure out 25-50% of the recommended pellet volume for your system and thoroughly rinse it
off with warm water. Allow pellets to soak in water overnight.
5.
Add the pellets to your reactor and adjust the flow through the reactor so that the entire
column is fluidized (take care not to let any pellets escape the reactor).
6.
Add your bacterial solutions. For the first week, you will want to inoculate the pellets rather
aggressively (double the dosing/frequency).
7.
Observe your tank for changes in nutrient levels and/or drops in algae densities.