Help with MEDIA REACTORS.

Hello, 3reefers!

I'm wanting to add media reactors (phosban and carbon) to my setup. I've been looking at the BRS dual reactor, but its bulky design makes it very unappealing to me. I was looking also at the kent marine phosban reactor, since I was told you can mix carbon and phosban in this one piece of equipment.
So, I pose the next question:

If I mix both media types in 1 reactor, will one type of media determine the lifespan of the other?

For example, if the phosban gets exhausted before the active carbon, forcing me to refill both media, even though the active carbon can go a little longer.

I would also like to hear your experiences with the different brands you have tried. Ease of use, features, pros and cons.

As always, I really appreciate your input and advice. So let's have it!!

- Magnus.

 

You hit the nail on the head. You won't want to mix as the life of the phosban will exceed that of the carbon. Also, carbon is really only effective at removing chemicals for the first few days. Beyond that, it just becomes a porous media for beneficial bacteria to colonize. If you leave your carbon for a month and then remove and replace it all, you run the risk of removing a big source of filtration.

Another option to consider is one reactor for phosban and just use carbon in a media bag for 3-5 days once a month. Your phosban will probably last 1.5-2 months (just watch your phosphate levels via testing).

I use a two little fishes reactor and really like it. It's simple, easy to clean, and I only use a rio 400 to run it. You could always run two reactors.

 

Thanks, evolved! +k for your help!

The 2 reactors are definitely an option and as you can tell, i was a little worried about mixing the two types of medias. What I didn't know is that the carbon is only effective for 5 days or so. I've ran carbon in media bags (which I still have and could use if needed) but somehow I had the impression that a carbon reactor would be more efficient! I am more than likely wrong about this.

Thanks again! And, please, keep the suggestions and experiences coming with the different reactors. I'm looking for things to blow my x-mas money

- Mag.

 

I run 2 - TLF 150 reactors hanging on the side of my sump.
Run BRS GFO in the first one and BRS GAC in the second one (daisy chained together so you still only need one small pump).
I change the GAC twice a month and the GFO once a month.

I started using the reactors to combat hair algae and it has worked incredibly well ... no more algae in my tank!!

 

Over the years I have used the 2 little fishies, Bulk reef Supply and ViaAqua Poly-Reactor. Out of the three the Bulk Reef is the only one I still use and will ever buy again.

Yes is is a little bulky but for ease of use its the only one to use. And it will outlast the there two by many, many years. Plus replacement parts if needed can be bought for them at almost any place that sells RODI parts.

 

Plus one on the above.

They really are nicer units and come with plenty of hose and nice speed fittings.

There are plenty of studies showing absorbtion of contaminates to decrease as days go by.... but not to zero, just less. Like a hockey stick, it removes the most the first couple of days. But it still removes for quite some time. Carbon does not re-release, but you don't want it going bio. So a week or two is max.

Others say, you can run GFO for a month or two, but there are no numbers backing that up. And anything can go bio left long enough so the GFO is definitely colonized. Yes you can test the reactor effluent, but unless you are using a accurate test it is not very usefull. But you can tell when it is exhausted if it is accurate.

Bottom line is best you can do is go by manufacturer recomendations. Yet you can run as much or little as you want. You don't have to run equal parts. If GFO last twice as long as carbon then run half the amount. That is how I did it. I canged my carbon and GFO every two weeks staggered to do one per week. I just ran less GFO. You don't go bio and there is much less media to push through so you need less pump.

 

I think that either way I go, I would have to buy a maxi-jet or better pump to move some water in these reactors. With the feedback I've gotten so far, I have decided to do 2 reactors, but not necessarily separated reactors, one for GFO and one for carbon, what I haven't decided yet is which brand name to choose.

For what I've been reading, the BRS dual reactor, is super easy to set up, and performs well. I've seen some complaints about the maxi-jets failing after a while, so the type of pump I'll need to hook up to it is going to drive the price up a bit. Still, it is cheaper than buying 2 reactors and apparently lots easier to clean. If only they would use a less bulky design... I've been really tempted to go with this one, but I really can't see where I would put it, making it accessible to clean and/or change media.

Anyone had any other problems with BRS dual reactor? I read a review about the o-rings being a bit on the low quality side, but it was really 1 review among dozens that backed the product up.

For the looks of it, this would be just as big as one of the 95gp RO units, excluding the DI membrane compartment. The bracket, which has several complaints of not being sturdy enough to hold the canisters leveled, looks like it is made of metal, if so, it has major potential to become rusty in a matter of months, as we all know: metal+salt water = Nasty.

Since I have my setup in the living room, looks is very important, I don't really have anywhere to hide it. So please, let me know your thoughts on this specific product. It's a good price, but I'm still kind of skeptical about my ability to install this in a dry spot.

Can it be hung in-sump?

- Mag.

 

Yes you can hang it on the side of the sump. I had singles and the brackets were thick plastic. Have to figure the duals are too.

I put a Mag 5 on mine. I had the maxi 900 but for sure get the 1200. I filled mine up with GFO and BRS ROX .8 carbon. Great carbon but small and clogs... so I put a Mag 5 on it. Still have it... only used for 3 months.... you want to buy it?

See where you want to put it. Get a dual for simplicity.... but if you need to you can get singles and mount and plumb in different places. I actually plumbed mine in parallel, not series. Very easy to control flow.

 

Don't mean to be post ***** but I have a simple question. Could I toss an AC filled media bag in my skimmers main body?

 

No. With the design of your eshoppes skimmer, it would prevent bubbles from rising up the skimmer.