Gfo/carbon reactor in sump question

[mrpontiac80]

I had an all in one tank previously and used a brs carbon/gfo reactor. Fast forward to now, I have a 180 with sump.
If I want to use the reactor with a pump, is there a best practice for pump placement and conditioned water return?

1. My thought says I should place the pump in one sump chamber and the exiting water into the following sump chamber. But I didn’t know if that would affect the water levels in the sump.

2. Is it ok to have media and water in the reactor and turn it off during maintenance and or etc and then back on later of same day? I have heard not to do that because while not running the water inside the reactor turns bad quickly because of everything the media has pulled from the water.

 

[Pistondog]

I leave the reactor on 24/7, thru feedings for the reason you said.
I have the pump and conditioned return going back to the same chamber.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I leave the reactor on 24/7, thru feedings for the reason you said.
I have the pump and conditioned return going back to the same chamber.

Thanks! This sump is not hard, but it’s a whole different animal compared to the AIO

 

[Pistondog]

Thanks! This sump is not hard, but it’s a whole different animal compared to the AIO

You'll like the flexibility it gives.
Run a real skimmer or scrubber. Add a refugium.

 

[mrpontiac80]

You'll like the flexibility it gives.
Run a real skimmer or scrubber. Add a refugium.

I’m running a clarisea sk5000 gen 2 and a reef octo classic 202s skimmer. So far so good. Been running for almost a month now since I transferred everything over. But I’m thinking it’s about time for some carbon.