Help with algae

How much am I looking at spending for a reactor and media

 

Want a cheap reactor? Use a regular old back hanging filter, put a bag with phosguard in it and you're done. Works wonders. Put a bag with carbon in there too. I use an old Whisper 60. It's the only filtration on the tank...I put carbon in one bag, a bit of phosguard in the other and I'm done.

 

Sounds like a good option, how much are regular reactors?

 

Like 40 bucks. You will also have to buy a pump (around $20). This will allow you to get the most out of the GFO.

The filter bag is not the best idea. You only want the GFO to slightly tumble. If it bangs around too much, it will turn to dust and escape into the tank. It is easier to control how much flow it is getting in a reactor then in a bag.

 

After my phosphates are under control, will I continue running GFO?

 

Obviously, you've never used Phosguard. That can't happen. Secondly, the old Whisper has flow control on it. Thirdly, Phosguard doesn't have to tumble to work. Water passing through it works just fine.

Point was if he already has an old back hanging filter laying around, it's all he needs. You don't have to spend any money at all on anything other than a 2 dollar bio-bag and some Phosguard and you're up and running.

 

check out bulkreefsupply.com all your questions will be answered.

 

I'm sorry, did you hear me mention phosguard? There is no need to get all rude and sarcastic.

You are correct, I have not used phosguard. From what I have read, most people agree that GFO is a better choice then phosguard, for a couple reasons. First, there are the "rumors" of aluminum-based media leaching aluminum into the aquarium. Although Seachem did a study proving otherwise, I'm not sure whether or not I trust that.. Secondly, although GFO is more expensive, it absorbs several times more phosphate than phosban.

The OP should decide which phosphate media they want to use. Note that some types of media should not be run in a reactor.

Yes, most people run it indefinitely (in order to keep phosphate levels down and prevent algae growth permanently). If you stop running it, the phosphates will just come back. Identifying and reducing the source of the
of the phosphates will help this issue, but not completely solve it.

 

Thank you all for your help. Gaby what type of reactor would you recommend? I have very limited space in my stand so something smaller would be great

 

This is your cheapest option

Aquarium Phosphate Control: PhosBan Reactor and Parts from Two Little Fishies