Carbon and gfo reactors

[DJasak]

Hey guys, I ordered myself the carbon and gfo dual reactor from BRS today. My question is after I get this in the mail how can I plumb it into my system if I don't have a sump? Would I need additional pumps? Is it easier to plumb if I have a sump? I intend to put this under my tank in my stand. Also I ordered the reef octopus classic 90 hang on back skimmer with the reactors and I watched a video that reccomended putting some kind of lubricant on the O-rings for the pump to get a better fit and to help protect the longevity of them too. What kind of lubricant should I get and is this truly necessary or am I just as good going with out? The tank this stuff is going on is an established system with corals so I can't really use anything that could potentially harm the live stock. Lastly, as always thanks for your input! :beer:

 

[Aero175]

You will need some type of pump to run the water through the reactors. They suggest the MJ1200, which would sit in your tank, and then run through the reactor. The output would just need to be run back to your DT. Having a sump hides all of the pumps, but other than that it will work just fine. How big is the tank, and what kind of filter do you have on it?

 

[DJasak]

Oh ok thanks! I only have a 45 right now, going to be getting a 55 or 75 in the near future. And right now just a hob filter. Going to be taking that off and putting on the reactors, skimmer and hob refugium.

 

[DJasak]

And now that u mention which pump they reccomend I did end up ordering that when I got the reactors, sorry total brain fart! Lol

 

[DJasak]

Should I pick up some pvc pipe?

 

[Aero175]

It depends on how you want to run it. You could just use vinyl tubing, but it depends on how you want it to look.

Also, when you upgrade tanks go for the 75. You will like the footprint a lot better.

 

[DJasak]

I definitely like a nice clean look. And I would like to have a couple shut offs for maintenance, I read on somebody else's post that placing it below your water level could cause a siphon effect when do water changes.

 

[Aero175]

Yea this would cause a siphon, but the drain goes right back into the display tank. It would be different if it was draining to a sump. I don't think you have anything to worry about, but it is early for me so maybe I'm not thinking clearly haha.

 

[DJasak]

So adding a shut off to the inlet line and outlet line should take care of that right? When u do w/c I would close both valves and turn off the pump to clean the tank. Only other thing I'm curious about is how can I clear the reactors and lines of as much tank water as possible so when I have to replace gfo or carbon I don't have a mess?

 

[Aero175]

Yea those shutoff valves would work to break the siphon. When I remove my canisters there is never enough water to make a mess, but mine is also hanging over my sump. Any extra water would just drip into it. I am not sure that you need to worry about it, I think there is enough room in the cans to hold a little extra water. I would just turn off both valves and unscrew them. You will need to have enough room to get the wrench they come with between the tank and any walls or what not. They do seal up really tight after running for a little while.

 

[DJasak]

Ok thank you for that note! Would really suck to find that out down the road! I'm going to be moving my tank over to a corner and set it diagonally so that I have plenty room between the tank and any walls.