Diy Cheato Reactor

[Armydogracing]

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

3 day growth pic

First harvest

 

[Armydogracing]

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

 

[Rick.45cal]

I'm interested in building one of these. I will be following along to see how your's progresses. Please keep us updated.

 

[Nick.B]

Genius idea. How big is the reactor?

 

[Kswish74]

This is definitely interesting!!!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Very cool!

 

[Armydogracing]

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 :)

 

[Armydogracing]

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

 

[tomtom2245]

Very cool idea!

 

[JBradford]

I've been debating this with a tlf 250 reactor I have laying around.

 

[Reef man 89]

I saw this on the marine depot website they have a video of make one and its a great idea

 

[richie6]

I saw this on the marine depot website they have a video of make one and its a great idea

I saw the same video, picked everything up I need to do. Completing tonight.

 

[ithk21620]

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

3 day growth pic

First harvest

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

 

[Armydogracing]

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

Its some kind of strip light with a remote that can do different colors. I dont remember the name off hand

 

[Ljaus]

This is what I love about reefing. Awesome diy projects

 

[FugeTown]

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.