DSB with Bio Pellet Reactor

I've seen a lot of guys do it this way to maintain natural elements and micro nutrients supplied by the DSB, miracle mud is the often the shotgun approach to the requirements of Coral/Reef system. DSB supplies a form of nutrient control, often a lot less, in terms of proficiency, than a NP reactor would, generally because of the size of the DSB required to maintain the nutrient levels vs the actual size of the Tank.

What nutrients are you struggling with?
 
@zippy no issues, havent started my new tank yet, planning on starting it with a bio reactor and dsb
 
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NP-pelet or Bio reactor does basically the same job as a DSB.

My problem with NP-Pelet reactor, and please, correct me if I'm wrong. Never used one and unless convinced by somebody, most likely will not.

The claim is made that the reactor is SOOO effective, that bacteria use up the oxygen so effectively, that the systems becomes anaerobic. Allowing bacteria to do the second part of the nutrient cycle and that is from Nitrite to nitrate. Even this article supports that as well.
Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION
This method can use slightly more nitrate than a proportional amount of phosphate if the bacteria form a thick enough layer on the pellet. In that case, the bacteria on the bottom (the pellet surface) can be oxygen limited, and may use nitrate as an electron acceptor (source of oxygen) as happens in deep sand beds, in addition to the N and P used to make their body tissues.

The part I got a problem with is, what happens when Eskom dump you into darkness. You are supplying that 500ml, or 1L reactor with 1000L/h fresh oxygen rich water. The bacteria is so effective that it uses the oxygen up before the water exits the reactor. This means that the reactor should never be switched off. Even for a short period of time (less than 10 minutes most likely), the bacteria in there would all be dead. Definitely the ones relaying on oxygen. What happens to the next group relying on Nitrite to survive. If so effective they will also run out of Nitrite. By the time power gets restored 2 hours later you got a dead reactor. Unless you got it on a UPS. Almost more important to keep the UPS running than having circulation.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

On a DSB, you could end up with the same issue after some time. but as it is an open to atmosphere system, it can still do gas exchange, although limited. If you got deep enough water above your sand, it will help. Unless your water level above the sand is 50mm or less. Mine all run at about 200mm water depth above the sand.
 
I do acknowledge that once running, a NP-reactor is a lot more effective than a DSB. Takes a lot less space. Takes a lot quicker to be functional. Couple of weeks compared to a DSB 6 weeks to 3 months or even 6 months.

But with Eskom, you need to keep it on a UPS. And do not even switch it off when doing tank maintenance. Keep it running.
 
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