All in One Biopellets

How does it work?
The AIO BioPellets contain a solid energy source for bacteria normally found in, for instance, bio filters or life rock. When the AIO BioPellets are placed in a fluidized filter or trickling filter, connected to your tank, bacteria will start to grow under aerobic conditions while consuming nitrogen (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate) and phosphate simultaneously. This conversion of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus into microbial biomass is called immobilization. In contrast to anaerobic denitrification, the biopellets are used aerobically (in the presence of oxygen) and under these conditions they do not produce N2 gas or the toxic H2S, which is often observed in anaerobic denitrification systems.

How do I use the AIO BioPellets?
In contrast to our “old” biopellets, we have observed that the All-In-One Biopellets work best with very high water flow. For example, a 700 liter tank with a fluidized filter containing 2 liter of AIO Biopellets already requires a minimal flow through of 2000-3000 l/h. On Note, this particular tank contains approximately 50 fish and after 10 months of testing both nitrates and phosphates were undetectable with standard nitrate and phosphate kits.

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. Placing the outlet of your AIO BioPellets filter prior to a protein skimmer 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.

In addition, with a high feeding regime, we advise to use a simple filter sponge on the outlet of your fluidized filter to remove excess of bacteria which will otherwise cloud your water slightly.

What is the difference between AIO BioPellets and normal BioPellets?
The AIO BioPellets will remove nitrates more efficiently than normal biopellets which means that you require less of the AIO BioPellets
then you are used to from the normal biopellets. Dependent on your aqua system, this difference ranges between 4-10 times less AIO BioPellets. In addition, the normal biopellets are very inefficient in removing phosphates, whereas the AIO BioPellets can actually remove even more phosphates then GFO. The reason for this is that the AIO BioPellets contain phosphate-binding compounds which can efficiently bind phosphates to start with. In addition, the bacteria that are actively growing on the AIO BioPellets will rapidly and efficiently remove the phosphates from the surface, thus allowing the phosphate-binding compound to bind new phosphates. This process we call bio-regeneration of  the phosphate-binding capacity of the AIO BioPellets. The side flip of this coin, is that the locally concentrated phosphates allow bacteria to grow even faster (both in RAS systems with high or low levels of phosphates) which is one of the reasons that more nitrogen is removed by the AIO BioPellets.

How long does it take before I will see an effect?
On average the AIO Biopellets takes 1-4 weeks to give rise to sufficient bacteria to allow nitrate and phosphate levels to drop. Importantly, allow your aquarium inhabitants to adjust to their new environment by slowly increasing the level of AIO BioPellets over a period of several weeks. Add extra pellets every 3-6 months dependent on AIO BioPellets consumption and levels of NO3 and PO4. AIO BioPellets are consumed by the bacteria growing on them, which is why new AIO BioPellets need to be added every 3-12 months. This can be seen during inspection of the filter or when you measure an increase of nitrates or phosphates.

These numbers 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.