reactor info

soulpatch

New member
So I am looking to continue to upgrade my biocube 29 tank. It is currently a polyp/lps reef tank. I am having a bit of an issue with hair algae which is not to be unexpected with a newer tank (about 3 months now) though I am also looking to the future and if I want to get into SPS.

I am a bit confused about all the reactors and their media options. I was looking at a small footprint and saw this: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gfo-carbon-reactor-5-single.html

I know there are other types as well but dont know what to look for in each.

Basically I want an easy to use reactor that the media is easily changed and runs as needed.

Right now on my cube I have an intank media rack running purigen and chemipure elite with an aquamaxx hob-1 skimmer. I have room in my second chamber or potentially the third as well to house another pump for the reactor.

So with all that said are there pitfalls or things to keep in mind when looking at reactors. Anyone with a biocube have any first hand insights?
 
I had a biocube HQI, i'm not sure if the back is different but I don't think it is. I bought a BRS reactor (standard size one) and had it in the stand.

it was powered by a Cobalt MJ1200 in the second chamber. the plumbing was 1/2 push fit tubing with a few elbows going down and a few going back up to the return chamber. let me see if I can find some pictures.

Sorry can't find any pics of it.
 
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I had a biocube HQI, i'm not sure if the back is different but I don't think it is. I bought a BRS reactor (standard size one) and had it in the stand.

it was powered by a Cobalt MJ1200 in the second chamber. the plumbing was 1/2 push fit tubing with a few elbows going down and a few going back up to the return chamber. let me see if I can find some pictures.

That would be perfect. I would probably hang the unit on the wall behind the tank since I have space with the aquamaxx back there.

My stand is a bit crowded with the ato, supplies, and all the electrical (apex and such)


What media did you run? Did you mix medias?
 
I only ran GFO in it.

I did try biopellets for a little while in it but with so much head pressure they didn't tumble very well.

if you can mount it on the wall behind you could get away with a lower pump like an MJ900. BRS sells everything you need.
 
everyone has their own argument on that. I tried it and was fine for a few months but for me without a real biopellet reactor it was more work than I cared to do. since I upgraded to a larger tank i still stick with GFO and all is well.
 
I guess my next question is if it is best to run each seperatly if they decay at different rates or if I am good with running one unit and swapping monthly.

I am reading that biopellets while awesome can be dangerous as they can strip everything from the water and cause issues for corals. So I am thinking of simply running gfo/carbon.

Thoughts anyone?
 
You could run them both in one reactor just know that carbon needs to be changed more often than GFO so your either going to waste GFO or have old carbon. Not sure if carbon will release anything back into the water when it is used up. From what I remember the reactor comes with 2 sponges. You put the GFO on the bottom and then above you sandwich the carbon between the 2 sponges so it doesn't tumble.
 
So it sounds like it would be better to get the unit with 2 separate compartments so as to not burn through the GFO as fast? Otherwise it would be like throwing money away. I can fit that without issue.

Something like this: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gfo-carbon-reactor-dual-1.html

And if I get that I can eventually add this should I wish to go biopellet and dosing: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/10-re...e-for-use-with-the-brs-biopellet-reactor.html

Any issues in my logic?

And as I understand one should go below the recommended tank dosage and slowly add more media to get to the right level. Is this true?

For media run the following:

GFO - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-gfo-granular-ferric-oxide.html
Carbon - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-premium-rox-0-8-aquarium-carbon.html
 
So it sounds like it would be better to get the unit with 2 separate compartments so as to not burn through the GFO as fast? Otherwise it would be like throwing money away. I can fit that without issue.

Something like this: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gfo-carbon-reactor-dual-1.html

And if I get that I can eventually add this should I wish to go biopellet and dosing: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/10-re...e-for-use-with-the-brs-biopellet-reactor.html

Any issues in my logic?

And as I understand one should go below the recommended tank dosage and slowly add more media to get to the right level. Is this true?

For media run the following:

GFO - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-gfo-granular-ferric-oxide.html
Carbon - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-premium-rox-0-8-aquarium-carbon.html

Honestly I think you're over thinking this. I prefer the KISS principal and here's my 2 cents.

get the standard BRS reactor, or look at the IM mini max reactor just for GFO I don't have any experience with the IM but it seems pretty easy to change media.

put your carbon in the media rack since you don't really need it in a reactor and why waste a good media rack.

as for the BRS pellet reactor cartridge, its the exact same cartridge as the GFO but doesn't include the sponges. it clogs to often to be a viable option. Also with the Dual reactor you only have one flow level so pellets and GFO won't work together. But the mini max says it can be used with pellets and technically you won't need GFO with pellets if you choose to go that route.

The ROX carbon is great and I recently switched to the High capacity GFO mainly due to laziness as it lasts longer so you don't have to change it as often.
 
You could run them both in one reactor just know that carbon needs to be changed more often than GFO so your either going to waste GFO or have old carbon. Not sure if carbon will release anything back into the water when it is used up. From what I remember the reactor comes with 2 sponges. You put the GFO on the bottom and then above you sandwich the carbon between the 2 sponges so it doesn't tumble.

I think you have this backwards. GFO will be used faster.
 
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