Newbie Question About Reactors

[ReeferNoob4ever]

I want to hook a macro algae reactor to my 20gal tank. Two things I would like to achieve:

1. Use my existing powerhead for circulation and to pump the reactor at the same time.

2. Not have to worry about syphoning if the power goes out.

Can I just use my powerhead to suck the water from the tank by hooking the hose to the inlet side, out through the reactor, and back into the tank through the powerhead outlet side?

I understand I wouldn't want to do this with GFO or something. But since this is only passing through water for the nutrients to be absorbed by the macro algae, does it matter that I would essentially be pulling the water through the reactor rather than pushing it?

Finally, if I was able to set this up how I'm explaining, would I run into any siphon issues? Especially since this would be backward from any canister filters or media reactors that I'm aware of.

Thanks! :hmm6:

 

[Ron Reefman]

A drawing of what you want would probably help.

 

[A sea K]

Unless I'm understanding you wrong this approach is not likely to work as most of our submersable pumps/powerheads are to designed to "push" water not "pull" it (vaccum).

Any way to follow up on a diagram as Ron suggested.

 

[Sk8r]

Are you describing a refugium, in which you have a chamber full of macro through which water passes on its way to the main pump?

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Sk8r,
https://youtu.be/HHB1xbOqCRo

This is what I'm describing. But yes from the tank, through the macro algae, into the powerhead, out into the tank...the powerhead is pulling the water.

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

This is what I mean:

<a href="http://s1377.photobucket.com/user/iandrackert/media/REACTOR_zpslhslhk5v.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/ah44/iandrackert/REACTOR_zpslhslhk5v.jpg" border="0" alt="REACTOR photo REACTOR_zpslhslhk5v.jpg"/></a>

If the powerhead doesn't have enough strength will that just lower my output pressure or ruin the motor?

Just in case it needs to be said, obviously the powerhead will be inside the tank.

 

[MrDemonicAngel]

How about adding like an Aquaclear 110. It should have more than enough space for macroalgae, allow light and provide the necessary pump/flow. You'll just need to add some sort of cover so that the macro doesnt flow out of the AC110.

 

[MrDemonicAngel]

google: aquaclear 110 refugium

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Although I do think that's a cool mod, I want to leave the lights on to the reactor at night but don't want to see the light.

 

[MrDemonicAngel]

if your normal light is hung high enough that it bleeds light during normal daytime then you shouldnt have to add an addition light for night time.

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

I'll give my idea a try and report back. I guess the real question is. ..

Will pulling water through my powerhead destroy the pods coming out of the cheato??

 

[reefwiser]

Why don't you just use a Santa Monica Drop Algae scrubber on a tank of this size.
Copepod's grow in my drop algae scrubber all the time.

 

[nereefpat]

No, for several reasons.

One being that's a submersible pump.

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

So my chances increase with a submersible pump. I never knew there was a difference betwixt the two. haha thanks!