Diy Cheato Reactor

Armydogracing

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So I plan to make a nicer cheato reator in the near future with a larger reactor.

So what I did was took a reactor that I had laying around which happened to be a large Bashsea media reactor. I ordered some led string lights off of an ad that I saw on facebook (later found out they sell them at home depot) wrapped it around the reactor (definitely wish I did a cleaner look) then put a small golfball size of cheato in.

The first week I used only red leds but tried the full spectrum and decided that grew the cheato better.

Heres some pics
20161002_101712.jpg


3 day growth pic

2016-10-06_16.50.42.jpg


First harvest

20161002_101855.jpg
 
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Armydogracing

Armydogracing

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Since putting this on my system my nitrates have gone from 25 to 8 and the phosphates have gone from .18 to .05.

I feed fairly heavy everyday pellets 3 times a day and then a mix of LRS, Blackworms, and pe mysis daily
 

revhtree

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Very cool!
 
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Armydogracing

Armydogracing

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Genius idea. How big is the reactor?

It is the Bashsea media reactor 6-18

I plan on getting a bigger reactor that I found on ebay its actually a clear canister filter so I plan on gutting it and making it a new bigger cheato reactor :)
 
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Armydogracing

Armydogracing

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I wanted to do it this way to keep all of the macro out of my sump however I didnt expect to see the growth double or triple.

Definitely glad I made it. Next one will be a cleaner look
 
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ithk21620

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So I plan to make a nicer cheato reator in the near future with a larger reactor.

So what I did was took a reactor that I had laying around which happened to be a large Bashsea media reactor. I ordered some led string lights off of an ad that I saw on facebook (later found out they sell them at home depot) wrapped it around the reactor (definitely wish I did a cleaner look) then put a small golfball size of cheato in.

The first week I used only red leds but tried the full spectrum and decided that grew the cheato better.

Heres some pics
20161002_101712.jpg


3 day growth pic

2016-10-06_16.50.42.jpg


First harvest

20161002_101855.jpg

What lights did you use that you said were available at HD?
 

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I threw my chaeto in my sump with a compact fluorescent light bulb and my nitrates stay at zero unlike before the chaeto, it grows like crazy too. Now I can leave the same water in the tank and dose nutrients when needed since I'm not a fan of changing water.
 

Set it and forget it: Do you change your aquascape as your corals grow?

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