Reactor questions...?

I

inetmug

New member
Hi all,

I am new to the reactor game. My main interesting is to have a PO4 control plan in place. I am focused on phosphates. I see that in particular GFO can become a solid block in a bag (per our man Randy Holmes-Farley).

Regarding reactors, I see so many on the market, that I am confused by all the choices. I see singles, doubles, both, and the gas injection, not sure what that is all about at all.

Right now I have GAC in a media bag, in the main sump flow. I was going to put some stuff like RowaPhos in a bag, and run the media bagged GAC and GFO side by side. But Randy's article on GFC becoming a brick got me thinking.

I was trying to keep this simple, I plan on a FOWLR with some light soft corals. For what I want to do, what are some thoughts?

.
 
reactor

reactor

For my money I've used and sold a ton of MTC mini-cal dual chamber reactors which have been excellent for ease of operation .
 
I am confused, you are asking about a media reactor right? but bernie recommended a calcium reactor??? what?
 
Ya, a Calc reactor will do nothing for phosphate control. you are looking for a media reactor to run GFO in, there are tons out there. I ran a two little fishes reactor with gfo in it for a long time. They are not the highest quality built reactors but they get the job done and held up fine for me
 
I am definitely thinking phosphate, as I do not plan on having heavy corals (which I think I understand needs calcium, alkalinity, etc), or two part. Like I said, I am confused overall a bit.

A media reactor, sounds like it could be any media? I guess I am looking to understand the various types of "reactors" in general. While I may not use them, it sure would be nice to understand the application of the various reactors.

Yes, I am looking for a GFO and or GAC reactor. It seems like the term "media" signals GAC/GFO? Can a media reactor do any "other media"?

Here is one I found

http://www.aquacave.com/Spectra-Pur...TxO0HDOj8DQcAk7JCMLAM4mMZcJuQR-Nee822t7Xw_wcB
 
Last edited:
Most media reactors are referring to carbon and GFO/phosban phosphate removing type media. There is bio-pellets, which work differently. Most "media" works by absorbing what ever it is that media is designed for. Bio-pellets don't absorb they are actually eaten away by bacteria, lots of research can be done on bio-pellets. You can run Bio-pellets in a regular media reactor, but it is not nearly as efficient as running them in a reactor specifically designed to run bio-pellets. Bio pellets need to be tumbled at a fairly high rate but also you want to control the amount of time water spends in contact so a recirculating bio-pellet reactor will get the most out of using bio-pellets. Calcium reactor uses Co2 to melt a calcium based media to slowly add calcium back into your tank, this is a completely different beast than the other two reactors. THere are many different brands for each type all with there ups and downs, if you think you need one of them do thorough research to make sure it will do what you think it will do and how to make it the most effective application for your tank.
 
thanks donkeykong, that helps. I think I saw a lime reactor, and an alkalinity reactor, or did I image that?

I was really hoping to just use media bags, and put them in the main flow of the sump. This whole thing started for me when I saw an article saying the GFO can turn into a solid brick if not agitated. I fully understand that the reactor with a pump will work better than a media bag due to agitation, flow control, etc., but I was hoping to keep it simple.
 
I have the bulk reef supply dual reactor and would not by it again. I would get two single reactors. It works but controlling flow separately would be better. I think there is a dual out there that you can control flow separately. Forgot where I saw it.
You want a slow tumble with gfo and no tumble with GAC.
 
inetmug said:
thanks donkeykong, that helps. I think I saw a lime reactor, and an alkalinity reactor, or did I image that?

I was really hoping to just use media bags, and put them in the main flow of the sump. This whole thing started for me when I saw an article saying the GFO can turn into a solid brick if not agitated. I fully understand that the reactor with a pump will work better than a media bag due to agitation, flow control, etc., but I was hoping to keep it simple.
Click to expand...

It's possible especially with the carbon. Just try it out and if you are having problems keeping phosphate where you want it you may need to get more aggressive and ad the reactor.
 
I have two cups of phos guard in a bag right now. It calls for three, but I wanted to see what happens. The po4 is not screaming high, but too high, and I want to get ahead of it.

I also see rowa phos, and phos ban. What is the concensus on these products? Rowa Phos seems to be holding the title at the moment from what I read.
 
Like most of their products reef octopus has a solid reactor. If you want to keep it simple then run media bags, but only use about half the amount of GFO and switch it out more frequently preventing it from clumping up. As for the Lime reactor I believe you are referring to a kalkwasser(limewater) reactor or stirrer. It is a way to dose kalk into your tank, I prefer just adding kalk to your Automatic top off system, it is easier and requires less equipment.
 
Donkeykong said:
Like most of their products reef octopus has a solid reactor. If you want to keep it simple then run media bags, but only use about half the amount of GFO and switch it out more frequently preventing it from clumping up. As for the Lime reactor I believe you are referring to a kalkwasser(limewater) reactor or stirrer. It is a way to dose kalk into your tank, I prefer just adding kalk to your Automatic top off system, it is easier and requires less equipment.
Click to expand...

It just came to me that Randy's phosphate article talked about GFO in the form of black/brown, or maybe red substance (I do not remember the colors exactly). I can say for certain PhosGuard is white, not sure what colors stuff like RowaPhos is. I can only assume this if not "real/pure" GFO. The PhosGuard says media bag or reactor.
 
From what I read in other threads, I like the idea to have two housings used for GFO only with independent flow control for each housing with clear refillable cartridge. So when it's time to replace GFO, close one of the valves and remove one cartridge to dump GFO and refill it with new one. Do the same with the second cartridge several days or two weeks later. IMO, it helps phosphate control better.

As for carbon, it can be placed in a media bag in the sump where water flows through it. I don't see the need for a reactor.
 
Last edited:
sowildpaul said:
From what I read in other threads, I like the idea to have two housings used for GFO only with independent flow control for each housing with clear refillable cartridge. So when it's time to replace GFO, close one of the valves and remove one cartridge to dump GFO and refill it with new one. Do the same with the second cartridge several days or two weeks later. IMO, it helps phosphate control better.

As for carbon, it can be placed in a media bag in the sump where water flows through it. I don't see the need for a reactor.
Click to expand...

That makes a whole lot of sense, thanks!.
 
inetmug said:
That makes a whole lot of sense, thanks!.
Click to expand...
If you plan to buy the Spectra Pure model like the one you posted in #6 for GFO only, since the left side designed for carbon runs down-flow, please make sure to rotate the cap 180 degree on that side so the original outlet will become inlet and original inlet will become outlet, thus it should run up-flow like the right side.

Or maybe you prefer 4.5" dia housings, you can get them elsewhere. BRS carries clear refillable cartridges (not really clear anyway) for 4.5" dia. And copy SP model's plumbing.
 
I am using the TLF150 reactor, it is a simple design and not hard to change the media out. The only thing i don't like is the foam pad on the bottom, with a uneven debris accumulated on the pad, one side will be lifted up and the water flow will not evenly going through the media. Any one has a recommendation for a reactor without a pad?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

rrrrob
starting up again - reactor question
Replies
19
Views
3K
rrrrob
rrrrob
D
Which sump would you choose?
Replies
5
Views
335
Devilphish
D
T
Reef octopus Varios 4 0-10V connection to Hydros controllers
Replies
2
Views
243
tmann51
T
YellowDesmo998
Back from a decade of silence...
Replies
8
Views
2K
Elmareefer
E
A
Question for the Neptune Apex Gurus
Replies
8
Views
2K
apache73
A
Back
Top