Hardware Of The Month - Reactors

[seffieuk]

Hardware of the Month

Reactors

Do you currently use a Reactor, if so which one, can we have some feedback please ​

Aquarium reactors are seperate units which focus on the production or reduction of a specific element in an aquarium. If you get it right they can be a real boon but if you get it wrong it can be a death knell for your tank

Phospahte
Calcium
Nitrate
Kalkwasser

 

[ben1987]

il do calcium reactor then, dont think theres too many people on here using one...


The point of one is to maintain elements used up by hard corals as they grow. They consist of a main chamber in which you put in some media. A pump then sends tank water up through all this media and back to your sump/tank. CO2 is then injected into this, which lowers the PH in the reacotr causing the media to break down and release the calcium.

Pros - can run fairly maintainace free for months if used right
Can keep tank params pretty stable
Fauirly easy to set up and adjust

Cons - can cause a drop in PH in the tank due to the co2
Some people find then awkward
expensive for a complete set up
people have compalained about sudden swings in params

 

[seffieuk]

Thanks Ben - that was very clear, even for me

I have been thinking of a Phosphate reactor after our discussion on Phosphate removers on another thread and had been wondering about duel reactors for Phosphate and maybe carbon. Is anyone running one of these?

Cleartides seem to be popular, any thoughts?

Seffie x

 

[Morri]

Nooooooo the CTs are not that good at all they clog up TMC have a new offering but tbh you will struggle to beat the Twofishes Phosban reactor I run both Carbon and Rowaphos in 1 reactor no need for 2

 

[seffieuk]

Ah excellent, will go take a looksee

Seffie x

 

[seffieuk]

Morri, would you take a photo of yours please so I can see the set-up?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHOSBAN-REACTOR-150-inc-pump-PROBABLY-CHEAPEST-AROUND_W0QQitemZ390088275689QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item5ad312b6e9

And I assume i will need some hose?

Or
http/www.coralculture.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=4&products_id=248


Seffie x

 

[Morri]

Morri, would you take a photo of yours please so I can see the set-up?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHOSBAN-REACTOR-150-inc-pump-PROBABLY-CHEAPEST-AROUND_W0QQitemZ390088275689QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item5ad312b6e9

And I assume i will need some hose?

Or
http/www.coralculture.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=4&products_id=248


Seffie x

Not nuch to see tbh most of mine is in my sump but here goes

Coral Culture looks like the one at that price with a pump and media

 

[seffieuk]

Thanks Morri, will go and buy it now

Seffie x

 

[-Nemo-]

How does the phosphate reactor work? And I suppose, what's the point of using one?

 

[Morri]

How does the phosphate reactor work? And I suppose, what's the point of using one?

Phosphate reactors work by fluidising the media and passing the water over a greater surface area of the media using the media more effeciently. It works much better than dangling a bag in the water as the water is forced past the media.

Hope that makes sense

 

[seffieuk]

Woo hoo, mine was shipped today so should get tomorrow - went out and got the hose today

Seffie x

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I can never believe how much people pay for phosphate reactors!!!

Phosphate reactors are very, very simple to make. You just need a water tight jar that you can cut a hole in, some tubing and a bit of foam. Costs about £8 in parts and the cheapest phosphate reactor I have seen was at least £40.

Best bet for jars is to find a plastic "spaghetti" jar. This are the right size and shape and can be sealed up. You can make multi compartment reactors as well out of plastic cereal storage boxes but getting the flow right can be more difficult.

 

[seffieuk]

Show off but yeah, I can see now that i have mine it would be quite easy to make one

Seffie x

 

[seffieuk]

Any new reviews, ideas, thoughts?

Seffie x

 

[xxBarneyxx]

When I take my phosphate reactor out next I will get some photos of it. Cost about £5 to make it in total. I also have the outflow going into my cheato container (ideally it should be the other way around). Seeing as my cheato is finally doing something I have been thinking about building a "tank" for the cheato and phosphate remover that can sit over my sump. Will post more on this if I ever get round to putting it together