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NP Biopellets 500 ml | |
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| NP Biopellets 500 ml (1/2 liter) Solid Vodka Dosing Pellets
NP provides a novel filtration substrate entitled NP-reducing BioPellets
to the professional aquarium industry. This includes public aquaria, zoos and
aquaculture facilities. This product has been developed for (professional)
aquarists who want to supply their aquarium inhabitants with large quantities of
feeds without negatively affecting water quality.
The husbandry of marine species which require large amounts of nutrition has
made a crucial step forward with this new product. Examples of such species are
Anthias fish, soft corals such as Dendronephthya sp. and filter feeders such as
sea squirts.
How It Works
The positive effects of NP-reducing BioPellets on water quality are based
on the principle of immobilization. Waste products from the water, mainly
nitrate and phosphate, are converted into bacteria. This keeps the aquarium
water clean.
NP-reducing BioPellets are composed of biologically degradable polymers
that can be placed in a fluidized filter or filter canister. The pellets will
allow aerobic growth of bacteria which consequently will consume nitrate and
phosphate simultaneously. The bacteria will use up the carbon from the
BioPellets, while nitrogen and phosphorus are taken from the water as nitrate
and (ortho) phosphate. This conversion of organic BioPellets (together with
inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus) into microbial biomass is called
immobilization. In addition, anaerobic layers will develop, resulting in
additional denitrification.
The surplus of bacteria will be consumed by filter and suspension feeding
organisms such as sponges and corals, or skimmed off by a protein skimmer. On
average this “solid vodka method” takes 2-4 weeks to give rise to sufficient
bacteria to allow nitrate and phosphate levels to drop. The main advantage of
this method over using vodka or sugar as a carbon source is that NP-reducing
BioPellets stimulate local growth of bacteria in a filter compartment,
instead of all over in the aquarium where they may clog up pipes and hoses. They
also prevent the growth of cyanobacteria, as the bacteria growing on
NP-reducing BioPellets will compete with these phototrophic nuisance
microbes. Finally, NP-reducing BioPellets will save the aquarist a lot of
time, as no daily dosages of carbon are required.
Product Guidelines
NP-reducing Biopellets can be placed in canister filters or fluidized
reactors. The latter configuration may yield better results, and prevents
detritus buildup. A proper starting dosage is 0.5-1 liter of pellets per 500
liters of system volume (12,5-25 fl. oz. for every 100 USG). After about 2-4
weeks, nitrate and phosphate levels should start decreasing. For some aquaria
experiencing heavy feeding, higher dosages are appropriate.
Examples are aquaria which house large quantities of azooxanthellate corals,
sponges, tunicates or large schools of Anthias fish. Dosages may be increased
indefinitely, provided the aquarium water is sufficiently aerated.
NP-reducing BioPellets are consumed by bacteria, which is why new pellets
need to be added every 3-6 months to compensate for digested substrate. This can
be seen during inspection of the filter. These figures however depend on
aquarium conditions and are strongly influenced by feeding regimes and
livestock. Taking regular measurements of both nitrate and phosphate levels in
the aquarium is recommended, after which dosages may be increased or decreased.
NP also suggests placing the outlet of the pellet filter in front of a protein
skimmer, to limit the amount of bacteria entering the system. This has the
additional benefit of increased gas exchange (CO2-removal and O2-addition). The
pellets should never be used without sufficient aeration, as this may lead to
low oxygen and pH levels, especially during night time. Proper aeration can be
established with air pumps and protein skimmers.
When heavy feeding is required, it is recommended to combine the pellets with
standard phosphate adsorbents. The reason for this is that most aquarium feeds
contain higher levels of phosphate than is consumed by bacteria, fish and
invertebrates, when compared to nitrogen. Some phosphate adsorbents however
deplete alkalinity and may reduce pH. Using phosphate adsorbent media based on
iron hydroxide does not have this disadvantage.
Important:
- Maintain sufficient water flow through the BioPellets, to prevent production
of hydrogen sulfide gas.
- The use of ozone and UV will negatively affect bacterial recruitment of the
BioPellets and increase the maturation time of the filter.
- When nitrate and phosphate are already very low before applying BioPellets, a
decrease in these levels may not be detectable with standard aquarium testkits.
Disclaimer:
Reef Interests, NPBioPellets.com and Coral Publications cannot be held
responsible for any loss of livestock or damages to personal property which
result from misusing NP-reducing BioPellets.
Results
Below you can find examples of animals which can be kept alive by using
NP-reducing BioPellets. Especially in combination with a phosphate reactor
and strong protein skimmer, heavy bioloads are possible. When using our
substrate, you can feed larger amounts of live plankton, frozen feeds or dry
feeds.
The following list includes animals which have been proven to thrive in aquaria
using NP-reducing BioPellets. Note that although NP-reducing
BioPellets may also serve as a bacterial food source, feeding with various
types of plankton (or artificial derivatives) is required to keep these animals
alive for prolonged time.
Fish:
pipefish and dragonets (Synchiropus spp., Corythoichthys schultzi)
Anthias spp.
All major Teleost taxa currently kept alive in aquaria
Bivalves:
Flame Scallops (Lima scabra)
Tridacna spp.
Tunicates:
Colonial sea squirts (Neptheis fascicularis) and solitary species
Zooxanthellate Scleractinian corals:
Goniopora spp., Alveopora spp.
All major Scleractinian taxa currently kept alive in aquaria
Azooxanthellate Scleractinian corals:
Rhizotrochus typus, Tubastrea coccinea
Zooxanthellate Octocorals:
All major Octocoral taxa in currently kept alive in aquaria
Azooxanthellate Octocorals:
Menella spp., Swiftia exserta, Dendronephthya sp.
Echinoderms:
Comatula sp.
Comanthina sp.
Linckia laevigata
Sponges:
Trikentrion flabelliforme
Cryptic species as well as medium-sized macro sponges
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