Phosban reactor

[Fireworm]

I talked to the TLFs company about their phosban reactor yesterday. I was missing the little hose barbs, and the ball valve that comes with their reactor. I figured that it would be some freak size that I could not find anywhere but through them for a premium price. I was glad to hear that it is just a standard 1/2" fitting.

They were very helpful on the phone. I asked them what they suggested for flow with their media, and was told that I should run a MJ 600 with the ball valve to restrict flow. They said then once a week or so to crack that valve wide open to mix up the media a bit. Just for about 30 seconds or so. Also, they said that they have had the same filter pads on the reactors that they have running for years. Some close to ten years. They also told me that running the reactor in my sump instead of hanging it on the side is jsut fine. That is good news for me, and anyone else trying to save space in their sump area.

Not that any of this is HUGE news, but I was very happy to see how friendly they were on the phone. The hobby is expensive, and I hate to spend my hard earned money on a company that delivers crapy customer service.

Just my thoughts.

 

[SeasonedReefer]

Thats pretty good customer service. I was bouncing back and forth between the phosban reactor and The MR1 media reactor from a newer company called Nextreef. I ended up buying the MR1 and man I love this thing. The determining factor for me was it had a larger reaction chamber and could accomodate higher flow rates and the quality of build was just great! I did alot of research before buying. I would hear from some people on the forums that the phosban reactors may sometimes leak. Not something I wanted to hear so.... I ended up trying out the newer company and have no regrets what so ever. Check em out. www.nextreef.com

 

[Fireworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13820879#post13820879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeasonedReefer
I did alot of research before buying. I would hear from some people on the forums that the phosban reactors may sometimes leak. Not something I wanted to hear so.... I ended up trying out the newer company and have no regrets what so ever. Check em out. www.nextreef.com [/QUOTE

When I had my old one, it did leak. Not getting everything wet leak, but salt creep like crazy leak. This is why I am going to set this one up to run in my sump, instead of hanging on the side of it.

 

[Fireworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13817872#post13817872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cloran
On the package of Phosban it says not to use a pump with more than a 80gph flow. Whats the point of using a higher pump with a ball valve on it when you can get a smaller pump for alot cheaper

The way it was explained to me is that once a week or so, you can crack open the ball valve and stir the media up real good for aobut 30 seconds. They said this would prevent sediment build up in the reactor, which restricts the media from working at its full potential.

Works for me, I have an extra MJ 600 someplace I am sure of it. I already have it so that one is a freebie for me. But even at that the price between a MJ 600 and a Mini jet 606 is only a buck or 2. I would rather go with the bigger of the two and have more to play with later if I wanted to. I could run 2 reactors of that one pump, which I might do. One with phosban media and the other with carbon.

 

[Gondore]

That is exactly how I am running my reactor right now Phil (i.e. outside the sump with a larger powerhead using a ball valve and stirring the media weekly). Seems to work really well for me.

 

[Fireworm]

I have to try something. My phosphates are out of control. I am having to clean my glass at least once a day, and I could scrub it at least once a week if not more. I would like to be able to keep my hand and arm out of it more often. I am sure that my bio load monster fish doesn't help my problem at all. He is such a hog.

 

[Gondore]

Yeah, I love my phosban reactor. Even though, I have the old version where you have to unscrew all those little screws every single time you want to change the media...it sucks. I currently change my media out monthly. I wanted to purchase the phosphate colorimeter so I would know exactly when to change it out, but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[Fireworm]

I am going to order I hope here in the next week or so, let me know if you want in.

 

[JCR's Reef]

Phil, I run two of them like you said you wanted to do. As long as you get it to where the top layer is dancing a bit, there shouldnt be settling or sediments clogging it. I never stir mine. I just make sure its not settling. But the slower your flow, the better the absorbtion rate.

 

[Fireworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13823483#post13823483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JCR's Reef
Phil, I run two of them like you said you wanted to do. As long as you get it to where the top layer is dancing a bit, there shouldnt be settling or sediments clogging it. I never stir mine. I just make sure its not settling. But the slower your flow, the better the absorbtion rate.

Well thats what I always thought as well. But the way the gut at 2little fishes made it sound it would make your media last longer if you "flush it out" every so often. Once a week, twice a month or what ever.

I am going to try that for 2 reasons
1. I already have the pump, no sense buying another one.
2. See if what he says make a difference.

The bad thing is I really don't have anything to comapre it to. My old reactor had old media, and when I was going to change it, I got rid of the reactor. But thats how I got my VHOs. Not a bad trade.....

Now a question for you Josh. Do you use carbon in one and GFO in the other? Are they in-line together, or do you run them seperate?

 

[JCR's Reef]

If you look at my Photobucket link youll see how I have them running. I run them seperate (1 reactor w/ MJ600) both plumbed from and back to my sump. However I did take one of my reactors down and now I just use the mixed media(carbon on Phosphate remover). Directions say something like 8 teaspoons for my 110 system but I just fill the cylinder up half way.

 

[Fireworm]

if you want to get rid of your other one then let me know.

 

[JCR's Reef]

I almost listed it for sale. Thinking when I set my cube up doing a sandbed reactor.

 

[Fireworm]

Let me know if you change your mind. I link running my RDSB not that Ihave my flow dialed in. The big key is though makin sure you have enough flow and that you don't get light passing through it into the sand.

 

[Gondore]

I have Phosban reactor I would sell you if you are interested....it is the old style though with the little screws on top. I just have it sitting in my closet now. I was going to run both GFO and GAC in reactors, but just decided to run the GAC passively in a media bag.

 

[LornaS]

GFO & GFA???? sorry to be out of it??? but what are these? I tried one with rowaphos in it but wasn't noticing anything.....I want to fire it up again but was curious as to the media you are using

 

[Fireworm]

THe GFO is Granular Ferric Oxide. Phostphate media.

And the GAC I believe is granular activeated carbon.

I have always used the two little fishes media and really like that. I have not used anyother, have only seen or heard of lesser results with other brands. Some of them will leach metals into your system. I believe it is the seachem Phospro or something like close to that, I read it will leach aluminum in to your system.