Phosphate Reactor????

I just recently purchased a ViaAqua PR 20/20 Media Reactor. I had some questions regarding this thing, because I am trying to rid myself of some green hair algae.

First of all, the Reactor did not come with the media sponges, are these of critical importance? I therefore tried to cut a sponge to the size needed, but some tiny media particulates still flow out of the return line to the tank, will this cause any problems? And finally, I am going to be putting bellaphos in the reactor, but how much do I need to use? Also, should I rinse the media before using it?

Please help! I need to get this green hair algae out of my tank!!!

 

Didn't mention how big your tank is but start with about 1/3 the recommended dose and raise it every week or so.

I get GFO from bulk reef supply

 

Definitely rinse any type of Ferrous phosphate removers. If a lot of the fines that it releases get into the tank at once, it can irritate some corals (particularly SPS).

How many GPH is the pump running your reactor? That will help you determine how much to use. Basically you want the top 1/2" or so of the media to bubble. It shouldn't be getting anywhere near the top sponge. If it's getting that high, use more media or us a ball valve to scale back the flow.

 

You need the sponges to stop the particles, as you know. If possible, set it up so the "out" flow goes into the middle chamber of the sump (if aplicable).

 

That helps. I just figured out that the reactor came with a valve, so I tweaked it and now the top of the media is visibly being agitated, but not to much that particulates are going into the tank.

Now that I have the reactor with Bellaphos running, how long until I see the algae start to die? What will I see as visible evidence that the algae is beginning to recede?

 

It will turn lighter green, then brownish-gray, then stop growing. It can take a while so continue to do all the other normal things to get rid of algae. (Lower nitrates, watch overfeeding, minimize phosphate inputs, maximize skimming, etc)

 

How often should I replace the Bellaphos in the Reactor? The directions on the Bellaphos do not say. How else could I lower nitrates...more water changes? How do I minimize phosphate inputs?

 

That varies so much from system to system. I would see how your algae is looking in 3 weeks or so and decide from there.

That's the most efficient way

Don't overfeed. Rinse frozen foods and drain off the water. Minimize various supplements and coral foods.

 

Thanks a lot for your input...I will keep you posted on how the algae and reactor are doing. And I am sure I will be asking more questions soon.

 

Brannock, you asked; "How else could I lower nitrates...more water changes?" There are many more prudent ways of controlling nitrates. With all due respect to inwall, water changes are short term "band aids". Algone pouches act as a substitute macro algae. AZno3 can be used if reading through all the precautions carefully to decide if that is a route you want to go. I have Halimeda in the display (some don't want it in their display) but is also a good choice for the sump/refugium. Nitrates are always there, it is a natural part of a healthy aquarium, we just need something to utilize it other than the undesirable algae.