starting up again - reactor question

[rrrrob]

So after a bit of a break (5 years?), I am starting up a 55-gal fish/inverts (no corals, etc.) tank. I have a wet/dry sump (protein skimmer/filter pad>bio-balls>fine sponge). I also have a reactor on the way.

My main problem is always nitrate build up. What can I put in the reactor? I forgot what I put in my last one--white balls a little smaller than BBs but bigger than Purigen, but I don't remember what it was.

I have a fine mesh sock for Purigen I can put beneath the drip tray above the bio-balls.

Anyway, any help or thoughts on nitrate reduction media (other than the water changes) is greatly appreciated, especially one that can go in my reactor.

Thanks!

 

[wvned]

The little white balls are called biopellets. It is a form of carbon dosing that happens in a reactor. You feed the output to your skimmer intake loosely. The bacteria that comes out is sucked up by the skimmer. This reduces both N and P.
I get these on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/333281834583?_skw=biopellets

 

[wvned]

This is the best thing for nitrates. A sulfur reactor. This brand came in 3 sizes and isnt made anymore.

 

[rrrrob]

The little white balls are called biopellets. It is a form of carbon dosing that happens in a reactor. You feed the output to your skimmer intake loosely. The bacteria that comes out is sucked up by the skimmer. This reduces both N and P.
I get these on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/333281834583?_skw=biopellets

those arent what i was using...the stuff I had was very white, and I think the balls were smaller than that (like styrofoam pellets in a bean bag chair).

In any event, my reactor arrived today without the pump, so I sent it back. Will have to start over but I like the biopellets....seems to be just what I need. I'll still do the water changes, but I'd like to keep them reduced further in between. THANKS!

 

[rrrrob]

This is the best thing for nitrates. A sulfur reactor. This brand came in 3 sizes and isnt made anymore.

yikes....looks complicated. What material went in it?

Is Purigen any good? I feel like when I used to use it, my results weren't so great (and yes, I realize it isn't appropriate for a reactor due to the small size).

 

[wvned]

I do not know of any media as small as styrofoam beads used in reactors. Biopellets come in various colors from cream through light yellow to white depending on the brand. They are about the size of peas.

A sulfur reactor is loaded with sulfur and biomedia like Matrix in the bottom 2/3 and the top 1/3 has calcium reactor media. It is an anaerobic recirculating reactor that you only have to recharge every 1 to 2 years. Ignore that thing on the top. I dont use it myself. Only a tiny amount of water goes through it. It will completely remove nitrates from your tank if you are not careful.

I have never used Purigen.

 

[griss]

I have never used Purigen either. But, I tend to stick to the basics, activated carbon always running and GFO as needed. But, I always have a light fish load in my tanks so I don't feed a lot.

I have never used a sulfur reactor myself as I don't feed a lot and don't have nitrate issues. The only people I know currently running sulfur reactors are @wvned and @Nanook Nanook has a pretty large amount of fish in his tanks and he feeds a lot of food, the reactors work for him.

 

[wvned]

I think sulfur reactors are perfect for fish heavy systems or any tank can’t keep nitrates down with typical water changes. They are easy to set up and run. If you are handy you can make one with pvc pipe.

 

[Grin Reefer]

those arent what i was using...the stuff I had was very white, and I think the balls were smaller than that (like styrofoam pellets in a bean bag chair).

In any event, my reactor arrived today without the pump, so I sent it back. Will have to start over but I like the biopellets....seems to be just what I need. I'll still do the water changes, but I'd like to keep them reduced further in between. THANKS!

Maybe you were using Seachem PhosGuard perhaps?

 

[rrrrob]

Maybe you were using Seachem PhosGuard perhaps?

I think that was it!

 

[rrrrob]

I have never used Purigen either. But, I tend to stick to the basics, activated carbon always running and GFO as needed. But, I always have a light fish load in my tanks so I don't feed a lot.

I have never used a sulfur reactor myself as I don't feed a lot and don't have nitrate issues. The only people I know currently running sulfur reactors are @wvned and @Nanook Nanook has a pretty large amount of fish in his tanks and he feeds a lot of food, the reactors

 

[rrrrob]

i feel like carbon gave one of my fish (yellow tang?) lateral line disease? or it might have been my coral beauty? it's all a blur.

 

[griss]

i feel like carbon gave one of my fish (yellow tang?) lateral line disease? or it might have been my coral beauty? it's all a blur.

There have been reports of mostly Tangs getting Lateral Line from carbon use. I tend to not keep Tangs so, it d not an issue for me.

 

[rrrrob]

There have been reports of mostly Tangs getting Lateral Line from carbon use. I tend to not keep Tangs so, it d not an issue for me.

I'm not seeing yellow tangs in the trade these days anyway, but I think the problem was mostly with my coral angel. Once I did a water change and removed the carbon, it cleared up.

 

[Reefing102]

I'm not seeing yellow tangs in the trade these days anyway, but I think the problem was mostly with my coral angel. Once I did a water change and removed the carbon, it cleared up.

There’s the Hawaiian Fish Ban essentially still in effect. My understanding is the ban got overruled by the courts to allow select collecting of certain fish, but they haven’t issued new collection permits.

With that said, you can get a captive bred yellow tang from Biota but compared to the yellow tang prices of years past, they’re pricey and tiny

 

[rrrrob]

There’s the Hawaiian Fish Ban essentially still in effect. My understanding is the ban got overruled by the courts to allow select collecting of certain fish, but they haven’t issued new collection permits.

With that said, you can get a captive bred yellow tang from Biota but compared to the yellow tang prices of years past, they’re pricey and tiny

that's okay...tangs aren't appropriate for a 55 gal tank anyway. Theyre so damned adorable, though.

So anyway, I had sent my reactor back because it wasn't what I was expecting. I was going to order another one, but I feel like money would be better spent on a RO filter for higher quality water at the onset, and then just keep up with the water changes (my local water supply is 158 tds).

And back to the reactor: I have a canister filter I had bought as a backup for an aquatic turtle tank I had going. The turtle died in December so I never used it. I feel like that could possibly make a good reactor...even better than an actual reactor?

Now back to the RO (lol sorry)...I plan to hook the unit up to a showerhead pipe in a spare shower I never use--perfect because I can put a trash can in there to collect the filtered water and the drain is right there for the waste water...this is possible, right? My concern is getting all the right hardware to make the plumbing connection to the showerhead pipe. Recommendations on the unit I should pick (4-stage?) appreciated.