spectrapure reactor questions

[jws0318]

I just picked up a spectrapure dual reactor, and I have a couple of questions:

1) Do I use the foam inserts for both carbon and GFO, top and bottom? I always thought you "sandwiched" the media between the 2, but since the inserts are donuts (holes in the middle), does it make sense to have the top one?

2) I'm running out of under-cabinet space - any issue with just setting the whole thing in my sump?

3) I have heard that i should use 1/2 the media that the BRS calculator suggests (I'm using BRS media for now) - is that correct?

Thanks

 

[geemanaz]

You don't need the foam inserts for GFO or carbon

 

[jws0318]

You don't need the foam inserts for GFO or carbon

well, that sure makes it easy! Thanks geemanaz

 

[dream54ing]

1) I intinally used top and bottom and it started to clog up pretty quick, so i removed all of it. eVerything work fine without it

2) I was told it can be set inside the water. I wouldnt submerge the enitre unit, but just the canister should be okay.

3) Just eye balled it, so cant help you there I've flip the carbon side, so i can run HC gfo on both canister. Didnt use calcuator to determine the amount to use. filled it half way on both canister. it works great!

 

[tcamos]

I have the unit in my sump. As mentioned the canister part is all that's underwater. I do use the foam inserts but will likely not replace them once they are clogged. They aren't yet so I am still.

I am running the SpectraZorb in mine and did use half which turned out to be plenty.

 

[jws0318]

thanks guys - i appreciate the info. into the sump it goes.

 

[tatuaje08]

Hey just wondering what pump you guys are using for this dual reactor? They recommend the mj1200 but that seems too powerful at 300gph. It also runs at 20 watts which seems like a lot to me for a small reactor pump.

 

[tcamos]

I have a T off of my main return that goes to it. I use a valve to reduce the flow.

 

[tatuaje08]

Do you have a photo of that?

 

[tcamos]

Of the T?

 

[tatuaje08]

Of the T?

Yes.

 

[tcamos]

Here it is.
It comes off the main return and then T's into two lines. One line goes into the refugium and the other goes to the SpectraPure duel reactor.

 

[tatuaje08]

What type of fitting is that off your return line? Isn't the intake hose on the reactor 1/4" or so? Your hose looks bigger, did you size down? What is the purpose of having a line back into your sump?

 

[m-six hundred]

Most reactors are 1/2" including spectrapures.

 

[tcamos]

What type of fitting is that off your return line? Isn't the intake hose on the reactor 1/4" or so? Your hose looks bigger, did you size down? What is the purpose of having a line back into your sump?

It's the standard size for the reactor, same as for Phosban reactors too. Just an illusion that it looks larger.

 

[tatuaje08]

Cool, I'm going to try it. So where did you get that pvc fitting with the 1/2" spigot?

 

[tcamos]

It was either Home Depot or Lowe's. I can't remember which one at the moment. I'm pretty sure Lowes.

 

[tatuaje08]

Cool thanks chad.

 

[tcamos]

I forgot to mention why I have the return line going into my refugium.

I have 2 20 gallon tanks connected with one of them being the refugium. Both of my drains go into the sump proper where the skimmer and return pumps are. The refugium is a separate tank altogether so the return line goes into it which provides flow and allows the water to drain through the bulk head that connects the two tanks. This allows for a nice mild flow in the refugium and just like with the reactor it allows me to do this without an extra pump or electrical outlet. This reduces costs and equipment, electricity, and head into the water.

There's a thread somewhere on here where we discussed this. I was going to have a T off my drain into the refugium but someone suggested a pump instead so I didn't have to redo my plumbing totally. I realized that I could just use my return bib and it works great.

 

[tatuaje08]

Very smart idea. I'm always looking for ways to make things more efficient.