Phosban Reactor setup with two different forms of media.

This will be very elementary but may be useful for those that are not that familiar with media reactor units or would simply like to get a little more use out of them.

So I have a lot of SeaGel before I purchased this Phosban reactor and Phosban (I'll get the cheaper stuff next time). Instead of mixing the media I setup a simple separation of the media in the Phosban Reactor unit. I am aware that carbon works better at a slow flow rate but SeaGel is a combination of carbon and Phosgard, this combination of Seachem Seagel and Phosban appears to be working brilliantly.

An extra package of replacement sponges is required for separation of the media. I have found using a shaker container (protein shakes etc) with RO/DI water is a faster way to tumble the media and clean out the dust before placing it in the reactor.

Attached are a few photos.

 

Carbon does not "need" slow flow to work. It can work with higher flows. GFO needs a slow flow to "tumble". GFO will precipitate carbonates and stick together. GFO can become a rock in a reactor. GFO need a flow of water to tumble it gently to keep it from sticking together. A strong flow that tumbles it agressively will wear down the GFO to nothing.

Carbon is much softer by comparison. It can't take tumbling which is why most reactors provide sponges to hold it. Carbon will wear down fast and be put in the tank. So carbon and GFO are not compatable together, they need to be seperated. GFO needs a slow tumbling flow and carbon can use whatever it is.

 

That is correct which is why you need to tumble GFO.

Regarding carbon yes, but SeaGel is a different story altogether which is what is expressed. It works fine at the same flow rate and does not require any tumbling. Only the GFO tumbles with this combination, the SeaGel does not and remains stationary even without a sponge on top of it.

SeaGel is placed at the top for easy removal after its shorter half-life.