TLF Phosban reactor as a carbon reactor .. AWESOME!

[ReefLife1680]

just picked up a Two Little Fishies Phsban 150 reactor and filled it up with Carbon. Slapped a Rio 600 on there and WOW!!! Works great!!! The carbon inside is being utilized 100% ... NO DEAD SPOTS (carbon from group buy Lucie had left over)!! The pellets are small enough where the current spins them all over the reactor!

Well spent $35!

 

[Brian Koyama]

Where'd you buy the reactor from? Was it $35 for the reactor and pump?

Brian

 

[ReefLife1680]

No I bought the reacotr from Marine Depot for $35 and had an extra Rio 600 laying around.

 

[Lv2_play]

Is there a specific way to run 2 types of media in there? Like phosban and carbon? Would you use a sock or lets say fiberglass screen material? Which media on top?

 

[ReefLife1680]

Lv2_play ... I was actually thinking the same thing. Wanted to run 2 types of media in it but wasn't sure. Does it really matter which is on top/bottom? I wouldn't think it would matter either way (maybe even mix the stuff together)??

 

[CW from the OC]

I looked into running two different types of media. The problem is that carbon is used up faster than most phosphate products. So you end up either throwing out good phosphate media, or leaving in exhausted carbon.

The solution is to spend the extra $35 for a second reactor and daisy chain them. That way you can replace the different media when each is exhausted.

 

[Brian Koyama]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7010372#post7010372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CW from the OC
I looked into running two different types of media. The problem is that carbon is used up faster than most phosphate products. So you end up either throwing out good phosphate media, or leaving in exhausted carbon.

The solution is to spend the extra $35 for a second reactor and daisy chain them. That way you can replace the different media when each is exhausted.

I like that idea. Do you need to get a higher flow pump if you daisy chain them?

 

[yuhsuen]

I diasy chained them at first, you typically need a slower flow rate to keep the phosban from being blown all over the place, you want to see barely a rumbling on the surface, stir it up any more than that you run the risk of getting the particles into your sump then you display. The carbon usually needs a faster flow rate, so after a month, I separated the two and it's worked better since then.

 

[Brian Koyama]

I think I'll be getting two of the Kent Phos Reactor's tomorrow (I like the design better) and running them separately.

 

[ReefLife1680]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7011291#post7011291 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brian Koyama
I think I'll be getting two of the Kent Phos Reactor's tomorrow (I like the design better) and running them separately.

that is prob the best way to do it ... seeing that the reactors aren't that much .. think the Kent reactor is like $39 @ Marine Depot ...

 

[Bugs]

How often do you change out the carbon and do you actually fill up the reactor with carbon or just half way?

 

[SirLight1337]

I use the Kent Marine Power Phos and it comes with its own filter bag. I threw that infront of my drain and filled up my TLF Phos reactor with carbon.

 

[kusanagiz]

this thread motivated me to buy this. I've always thought the way I was doing it was pretty horrible. Sticking a mesh bag of carbon next to the filter sock.

How often would you guys change out the carbon using this?

 

[ReefLife1680]

I put in 200 mg of carbon from the group buy ... the rio 600 worked perfected for me. I plan on changing out my carbon once a month.