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NP Biopellets XL 500ml

$36.89
Item #
NP-BIOXL500
Manufacturer
NP
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Eligible for Free Shipping Program
Availability
Out Of Stock

THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED

New from the makers of the origional NP Reducing Biopellets!
Ideal for plug-and-play style aquariums where there is no place or room for a reactor or an aquarium without a sump.

Reef Interest provides a novel filtration substrate entitled NP-reducing BioPellets XL 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 XL are composed of biologically degradable polymers that can be placed in a fluidized filter or filter canister.

NP Biopellets XL will allow aerobic growth of bacteria which consequently will consume nitrate and phosphate simultaneously. The bacteria will use up the carbon from the BioPellets, whilst 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 wodka 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 or filter bag, 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 XL will compete with these phototrophic nuisance microbes. Finally, NP-reducing BioPellets XL will save the aquarist a lot of time, as no daily dosages of carbon are required. Product Guidelines NP-reducing Biopellets XL can be placed in canister filter, silter sock or filter bag.

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 XL are consumed by bacteria, which is why new pellets need to be added every 3-6 months (ofter longer) 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. We also suggest 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 XL, 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 XL. 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

Try out NP-reducing BioPellets and start feeding your animals what they need.

 

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