Ca Reactor Media Recommendation & Mag Question

[Tswifty]

I'm getting ready to set up my Ca reactor in a week or so, and need to order new media for it.

The previous owner used ARM media:

However, I was wondering what the review on this media was, or if you guys would recommend something else?

The reactor is a Korallin 1502 Ca Reactor.

Also, I have heard of people adding a Magnesium media in the reactor too... I think it's called ZeoMag or something, but I'm not certain? Does anyone do this?

If so what media do you use? Where did you buy it? and how do you use it (just place on top of the Ca media)?

Thanks.

 

[LTCrunch]

two little fishes has a product called Reborn. It is an aragonite media, similar to the ARM stuff from Carib Sea. Placing a Magnesium media in the reactor would be useful ZeoMag is a brightwell aquatics product and it works incredibly well. Any store that carries Brightwell's line will have it

 

[serpentman]

TJ, I would definitely go with the larger sized media. Korallin, ARM or Gen-X all make it. The smaller media is much more prone to melt down aka mush if for any reason your pH should go to low in the reactor.

I also use the ZeoMag in mine. I still think you need to dose Mg occassionally but it has helped keep ambient levels up.

 

[Tswifty]

Thanks, does anyone know if one media is better than another?

I've heard phosphate can be an issue with Ca reactor media. Is one type of media known to have lower phosphate levels than another?



Jeff,

Where do you get your ZEOmag from... it's $15 from www.zeovitusa.com but has a $10 shipping charge.

 

[Tswifty]

Nevermind about the ZEOmag... Found it.

 

[Tswifty]

ARM manufactures 2 variations of the larger sized media:



- Large

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...OD&Product_Code=C-ARM-LG&Category_Code=cmedia

- Extra Coarse

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ROD&Product_Code=C-00531&Category_Code=cmedia

What the heck is the difference? :lol:

 

[serpentman]

Personally, I like the large (as opposed to extra course) as I think it allows for more surface area without impeding flow. However, either would work.

 

[Tswifty]

Gotcha... the type of reactor doesn't matter correct? Meaning... any reactor can use any size media?

The Korallin reactor is rather small.

 

[Kreeger1]

I like large as well. I use zeomag as well. Got it at IMAC though

 

[serpentman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14100346#post14100346 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Gotcha... the type of reactor doesn't matter correct? Meaning... any reactor can use any size media?

The Korallin reactor is rather small.

Nope, shouldn't matter. Given the smaller chamber size, I think you will have better luck getting more of the large media in as opposed to the coarse.

 

[Tswifty]

Thanks guys... the deed is done. Luckily the place I was ordering the replacement solenoid from, stocked everything else I needed. Now all I need to do is pick up my CO2 bottle and I should have everything I need to get up and running.

 

[SPStoner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14099914#post14099914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LTCrunch
ZeoMag is a brightwell aquatics product and it works incredibly well. Any store that carries Brightwell's line will have it

It's actually made by Zeovit, not Brightwell. The stuff works pretty good and I use it in my Schuran JS2. One thing I have noticed is that the first time I bought it, about a year ago from Fragfarmer.com, it came in a hard plastic container similar to Phosban, etc. and was 99% large chunks, around .5" each. This latest batch I got last month from Premium Aquatics was in a plastic bag and was much smaller pieces, similar to regular size ARM, with a lot of dust/powder. Anyone else notice this?


As for reactor media, I have used all the large stuff mentioned here in this thread, including the new stuff from TLF. Don't notice any difference among them as far as solubility or phosphate issues. I agree with most here that the larger stuff seems to work best.

You can see in this shot some different stuff (I like to mix different media) On the bottom is the ARM coarse, above that is the ZeoMag (the really white layer) and above that is a little GenX to top it off.

[/IMG]


HTH,

T

 

[serpentman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14101530#post14101530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SPStoner
It's actually made by Zeovit, not Brightwell. The stuff works pretty good and I use it in my Schuran JS2. One thing I have noticed is that the first time I bought it, about a year ago from Fragfarmer.com, it came in a hard plastic container similar to Phosban, etc. and was 99% large chunks, around .5" each. This latest batch I got last month from Premium Aquatics was in a plastic bag and was much smaller pieces, similar to regular size ARM, with a lot of dust/powder. Anyone else notice this?

I have noticed this. I wonder if the smaller particle size dissolves better. I just dumped everything, dust included in when I top of the Zeomag.

 

[Cove Beach]

I did the same with mine Jeff. Oh and i also use the large Gen X media. About 30lbs of it. I also find that even with the Zeomag i need to dose mag still to maintain the NSW levels.

 

[Tswifty]

Just got the order in today:


ZeoMag

CaribSea ARM Media

 

[itZme]

That reactor looks strangely familiar... did you recently get it from someone selling off everything that may have gotten it from someone else in the club

 

[sohal1025]

I like the big media myself...