Help me choose a phosphate reactor

[kevantheman35]

I have a 34g solana. I am having some phosphate issues api=0.25-0.5 and looking to get a reactor. I'm looking for input on which one and which media.
Im looking at the two little fishes with rowa or a BRS with GFO. I am worried about them being too much for a 34g tank though? And also I have no sump so it needs to be able to hob or something.

 

[pciscott]

I like the ease of changing cartridges of a BRS reactor, but it is easy to spill water and not the best set up for HOB in my opinion. The TLF reactor will work well and the sponges on this reactor are less dense and not as apt to clog. I like BRS GFO and it seems to be a better value.

If you are going to use GFO I would suggest a Hanna P04 checker and extra regents. Test your P04 weekly and when it starts to creep up change the media. In a few months you will figure how long it lasts in your tank as they all are different.

My wife feeds my fish and the GFO has to be changed every two weeks, my feeding can make it last a month, funny how the fish get so excited when they see her.

Good luck and I think the TLF is a good choice for your tank.

 

[Brando457]

I have 2 Nextreef MR1 reactors and love them, you could get away with shorty version for your tank.

 

[campos]

i have 2 nextreef mr1 reactors and love them, you could get away with shorty version for your tank.

+1

 

[roundman]

I have 2 TLF reactors on my system. One for GFO and one for Charcoal. I get the supplies for BRS and this works well for me.

 

[Larz_1]

I have 2 TLF reactors on my system. One for GFO and one for Charcoal. I get the supplies for BRS and this works well for me.

+1

I have 2 TLF - 150 reactors. One for BRS GFO and one for BRS GAC ... works great on my 58gal.

 

[M Woodhill]

I used the TM reactor and TM emili-phos longlife. it worked nicely.

 

[James77]

I didn't like the BRS filters, I found them a PITA to twist open the canisters and the translucent internal container difficult to judge the GFO "boiling".

I like the TLF reactors. If the 150 is too small, they also make a 550 which holds several cups of media.

 

[stevereef]

For a 34 gal, isn't a reactor a little over kill? I'd just use the media bag and have some water flow over the media. In the past, I've been successful using SeaChem's phosphate remover. It is cheap and it worked great.

With my 120g, I've decided to use the TLF 150 reactor and filling it with RowaPhos and Eco Phos.

Best of luck...

 

[leeit2me]

I would go with TLF reactors. It's easy maintenance and not bulky either. I have 3 running in my system. No issues at all.

 

[Ricardo_Jorge]

i would go with tlf reactors. It's easy maintenance and not bulky either. I have 3 running in my system. No issues at all.

+1

 

[ackee]

Next Reef are qualitatively far better than TLF. If you see them alongside one another there is no comparison. At about $65 a little more, but absolutely worth it. Solid construction, excellent design, simple to use and clean, a quality item. Like night and day.

 

[kevantheman35]

Thanks a lot guys. The next reef looks real nice I had never heard of it before but even the shorty is rated 100gal is there any ill effects to worry about on such a small tank?