Does anyone have experience with this Tunze Macroalgae reactor?

[Miami Reef]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mar-3182-macroalgae-reactor-tunze.html

Does anyone have experience with this product or the smaller version of it? What’s the build quality like?

It does seem pretty expensive for a reactor. I’m curious if anyone has it or has considered it?

 

[mcarroll]

I don't know if it helps, but it's the same build quality as their skimmers.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

A few years ago, I won a similar Tunze reactor only it was smaller. I gave to it @dantimdad at the time. If memory serves me correctly, he did not think much of it but, maybe, he'll give his own input.

 

[tsharpe291]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mar-3182-macroalgae-reactor-tunze.html

Does anyone have experience with this product or the smaller version of it? What’s the build quality like?

It does seem pretty expensive for a reactor. I’m curious if anyone has it or has considered it?

I do run the smaller version of this one. build quality is very nice, I do agree
they are expensive for what they are.

 

[Rshahnyc]

I run a Tunze MAR 3181 outside the sump. It’s water tight and the build quality is as expected from a tunze product. I pull out big chunks of chaeto every week or every other week now that I add iron/manganese from two little fishes

 

[jonelder68]

10 gallon aquarium drill it for drains and pump inlet with an Amazon grow light and bam same thing! Only fraction of the price and easier to maintain . You’ve got room in the cabinet as well.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I took 2 old mr1 reactors, 300 gph pump and put Chaeto in and run a large grow light.

Can also wrap with grow LED rope. Build for $100 tops.

I had everything already. Working great, actually need to harvest this weekend. Currently have tin foil as a reflector, going to order another grow panel light off amazon eventually. They are $25 I think.

I will say its nicer then having it in my sump.

sorry for the crummy photo

 

[Amstar]

agree with everyone else -- for the price and what it does pretty steep purchase when you can build or find one cheaper.

I used an aquamaxx reactor (think the new ones are the FR-1E on bulk reef supply as a reference) -- wrapped it with led grow lights from amazon -- then covered it with a 4" black PVC pipe from Home Depot (to curb light creep coming from the less) and used a maxi jet pump that pulled water from the sump and and pushed it through the reactor back into the sump --

now granted I had several of those things "laying around" (reactor, maxi-jet)

 

[BZOFIQ]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mar-3182-macroalgae-reactor-tunze.html

Does anyone have experience with this product or the smaller version of it? What’s the build quality like?

It does seem pretty expensive for a reactor. I’m curious if anyone has it or has considered it?

Oh wow, I like Tunze....but that's just excessive.

 

[dantimdad]

A few years ago, I won a similar Tunze reactor only it was smaller. I gave to it @dantimdad at the time. If memory serves me correctly, he did not think much of it but, maybe, he'll give his own input.

In the stock form it grew hair algae and the chaeto died.

I took off the stock light and made my own with red and blue leds and it worked way better. Then I took out some of the blue and put warm white and cut the cling film on the opposite side and added a second row of lights and the chaeto exploded.

The main thing to watch out for is the detritus settling. It's in storage now, but I plan on hooking it up before too long. I will run a more powerful pump to keep the swirl going better.

I appreciate the gift from @crusso1993 but I would not pay full price for it unless they made the improvements I mentioned above.

To be honest, I have turned over a new leaf about DIY everything and do a lot of store bought stuff. However, this is one piece of equipment if I had to have another, I would definitely DIY.

When I set it up again I will post pics in my build thread.

 

[Miami Reef]

wrapped it with led grow lights

then covered it with a 4" black PVC pipe

Can I get more info on this? Which LED lights? Also, can you expand on the 4” pvc pipe part? The reactor seems much thicker than 4”

How did you block the light spill. Pics would be great.