Made without fillers or harmful chemicals, Metabolix Bio Pellets contain 100% PHA resin made from corn. Bio-pellets are a pure and natural carbon dosing approach to reduce nitrates and phosphates to help control algae in fresh and saltwater aquariums. Left unchecked, elevated levels of nitrates, phosphates, and algae can cause extensive harm to fish, coral and other aquarium life.

As the bacteria in your aquarium consume the PHA pearls, they eliminate algae-promoting nitrates and phosphates. The result? Clearer water, a healthier tank environment and less time spent cleaning your aquarium.

Features

• Carbon source and media for beneficial bacteria
• Removes nitrates and phosphates
• Reduces and prevents algae growth
• Creates a healthier environment for aquatic plants and animals
• No fillers or harmful chemicals, 100% PHA made from corn
• Safe for all aquarium life across all types of water and tanks
• Uniform size and round shape for smooth fluidization
• Best used with a fluidized media reactor with pellets kept in gentle motion
• Made to rigorous quality and purity standards in the USA

Applications and Uses

Kolar Labs is the global-exclusive distributor for the original Metabolix® Bio Pellets made from pure, high-quality PHA derived from corn. Pellets are uniform size and round, containing 100% PHA without fillers. Biopellets release bioavailable carbon that promotes beneficial bacteria growth to reduce nitrates and phosphates in all freshwater and marine aquatic environments. Use in freshwater aquariums, planted tanks, saltwater aquariums, and reef tanks to control nitrates, phosphates and reduce algae. Safe for all freshwater and marine fish, invertebrates, plants, and pets. Best used in a fluidized media reactor with pellets in gentle tumbling motion. Can be combined with other medias in a fluidized reactor such as GFO.

Detailed Instructions

Recommended Use

It is recommend to use a media reactor for your bio pellets. Recirculating media reactors have become very popular and effective for bio pellet use. By controlling the flow through the reactor directly into the protein skimmer, you can allow trace levels of nitrates to remain, potentially helping the colors of SPS corals and others. Tumbling the pellets gently within the reactor eliminates clumping, bio film or break in problems. Simply adjust water flow through the reactor to reduce nitrates to desired level. If pellets are fracturing and physically breaking down, flow is too strong and should be reduced.

How to Remove Phosphate and Nitrate from Water

1. Standard dose for new or exceptionally low nutrient tanks is 180g or approximately 1 cup per 50 gallons in a fluidized reactor. For aquariums with measurable nitrates, 1/2 to 1/4 of the starting dose is recommended for the first 3-4 weeks, increasing weekly thereafter. Once the system is established, overdose is not possible.

2. Add or replace Bio Pellets as needed to keep reactor full.

Pro tip: Do not let pellets dissolve to below 1/2 the original amount or you may notice reduced effectiveness.

3. For best results, water exiting Bio Pellet reactor should flow directly into a quality protein skimmer intake.

Pro tip: Remove all sponges before and after media in reactors and replace with plastic mesh to prevent clogging. Add a small check valve to pump side of water line/keep return line submerged to prevent back siphoning into pump in a power outage.

4. Rinse and soak new media in D.I. or tank water for up to 24 hours to prevent floating prior to use. If reactor gets clogged, dump the contents into a 5-gallon bucket with tank water, stir and pour off debris. Media can then be returned to the reactor in part or whole. Keep pellets moving within reactor to prevent clumping or clogging.

Pro tip: Tiny air bubbles can stick to new pellets, causing them to float initially. Watch for floating pellets against top screen after new media is placed in reactor. Gently tap on reactor, or stop and restart the pump, to get pellets to fluidize and prevent clogging.

5. Keep significant aeration in aquarium system, especially at night during the first 3-4-week cycle period. Use protein skimmer, aggressive surface agitation and/or air bubbles to keep O2 levels up and allow for CO2 removal.

6. For aquariums with measurable nitrates above 20-40ppm, monitor and watch for reduced pH. Buffer to increase pH if necessary. Many bacterial additives are available to help prevent initial bacterial blooms. Watch for initial cloudiness during the first 4 weeks, indicating a bacterial bloom. If substantial cloudiness occurs, reduce the quantity of pellets by 1/2 and change water. Recirculating reactors combined with efficient protein skimmers reduce or eliminate these potential problems.