DIY Chaeto Reactor pump speed?

[Reef Puncher]

I have an external refugium, but i keep running into problems with it. Rather than building a new one, i would prefer to try a chaeto reactor. But im going to do a DIY using a normal reactor (seen in image below). But it doesnt list anywhere what speed to run it at, gph wise. I have a 450 gph pump, and i have a extra 600 gph pump. If i had to guess, considering this reactor is kinda small, only a foot tall, i probably should use the 450 gph and turn it down like half way? So aim for like 300 gph? Does anyone know and or have any tips for a DIY reactor?

its gonna hopefully look something like this when finished.

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Reef Puncher]

i ended up making it, and then using a 500gph pump, turned the valve down, but it was still pushing water way to fast. i had to buy a ball valve, and it seems to be working great. if i had to guess id say its pushing about 150gph.

 

[oscaaar]

What light did you use

 

[Reef Puncher]

first let me state that i am so glad i swapped to this over my refugium. the light surrounding the reactor is wayyyyyy brighter than my previous made for refugium light, and is making my chaeto grow so fast i have to harvest every week. (i wish my reactor was taller though so i didnt have to do it every week lol).
Also, even though LED strips dont get THAT hot, i glued some fiber glass rods around outside to let air in the gaps.
See link below for the LED strip to use, it puts out more par than actual grow strips, and it can be changed to do the correct spectrum for chaeto. i used a blue and red combo to make the purple spectrum chaeto likes. i even put a couple leds on white. the reason this strip is better than regular grow lights, is the amount of LED bulbs per inch, is doulbe what most LED grow strips are. click l

ink here.

 

[SantaMonica]

Could always just shorten the total length and space out the lights a bit more for cooling.

 

[Reef Puncher]

What light did you use

the link is smashed in the middle, and easy to miss but ill link it again here.

 

[Gellisjr1]

I am currently using that exact reactor for my DIY algae reactor. For flow through the reactor I have an AI Axis 90 DC pump it is rated @ 925 gph. I run it at 30% through the reactor which equals roughly 275gph. I prefer the DC pump over an AC pump due to being able to adjust the flow accordingly. I also have the grow lights on a simple wifi smart outlet purchased from Amazon. The photo period runs from 7pm till 9am. This set up has been on my 35 gallon nano tank for several months now and grows Chaeto like crazy. If you need more info or would like any photos. Let me know and I can post them later when I get home from work.

 

[Reef Puncher]

I am currently using that exact reactor for my DIY algae reactor. For flow through the reactor I have an AI Axis 90 DC pump it is rated @ 925 gph. I run it at 30% through the reactor which equals roughly 275gph. I prefer the DC pump over an AC pump due to being able to adjust the flow accordingly. I also have the grow lights on a simple wifi smart outlet purchased from Amazon. The photo period run from 7pm till 9am. This set up has been on my 35 gallon nano tank for several months now and grows Chaeto like crazy. If you need more info or would like any photos. Let me know and I can post them later when I get home from work.

a DC pump would have been sweet. i ended up just turning the ball valve half shut on a AC powered 500gph pump. if i had to guess id say its going about 250gph? whatever its at its growing chaeto insanely fast. i would say too fast, i have to harvest every week, but i like the fact that if its growing that fast, it must be pulling more nutrients out too, and my phosphates always run high. so i dont really wanna turn down the photoperiod. i guess for now im fine harvesting every week. at least till i can get my phosphates in check.

 

[Reef Puncher]

I am currently using that exact reactor for my DIY algae reactor. For flow through the reactor I have an AI Axis 90 DC pump it is rated @ 925 gph. I run it at 30% through the reactor which equals roughly 275gph. I prefer the DC pump over an AC pump due to being able to adjust the flow accordingly. I also have the grow lights on a simple wifi smart outlet purchased from Amazon. The photo period runs from 7pm till 9am. This set up has been on my 35 gallon nano tank for several months now and grows Chaeto like crazy. If you need more info or would like any photos. Let me know and I can post them later when I get home from work.

so oddly enough my reactor isnt growing it fast anymore. my best guess is i think a different kind of algae, one that is growing on the sides of the reactor is either blocking light, or sucking up nutrients instead or something i dunno. not sure what to do about it, kinda sucks to clean it weekly. just another chore....

 

[Gellisjr1]

Are you using Chaeto gro from Brightwell Aquatics? As your Macro algae grows it is also removing some of the trace elements out of the water. Chaeto gro will replenish those elements and your chaeto growth should bounce back. I have on an auto doser dispensing 2 ml daily. As far as growing a different algae. I don't think that would be the problem. The algae that would be growing is also growing due to the nutrients and light source there for it's not hurting anything and is also beneficial to the tank by also removing nutrients from the water.

 

[Reef Puncher]

Are you using Chaeto gro from Brightwell Aquatics? As your Macro algae grows it is also removing some of the trace elements out of the water. Chaeto gro will replenish those elements and your chaeto growth should bounce back. I have on an auto doser dispensing 2 ml daily. As far as growing a different algae. I don't think that would be the problem. The algae that would be growing is also growing due to the nutrients and light source there for it's not hurting anything and is also beneficial to the tank by also removing nutrients from the water.

my last two icps came back with low iron, chromium, and molybendum and something else, im thinking the chaeto is stripping it. i thought the same thing and just recently purchased all 4 of those trace elements individually.