Media Reactor Question

FloridaGal762

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My tank is about 5 months old. I have added some various components as I go trying to get my water more stable.

It's an all-in-one, so the back compartments have different sizes which limits where some pieces fit.

I have a media reactor and I have biopellets going inside it, but as I see my phosphates are a little high and new green film algae growing, I am wondering if I should swap it for GFO or activated carbon. (I also just reduced the time the lights are on to counter act this, but it means I can't enjoy the lights on the tank both before and after work.)

Current set-up has two overflows in the following order:
Side 1- Overflow into filter sock- then to a protein skimmer- then to the return chamber where I have a Chemi-Pure Blue sitting on the bottom.

Side 2- Overflow into media basket with bio-rings (am thinking of adding filter pad to the top)- then to media reactor (currently biopellets)- then to the same return chamber with Chemi-Pure Blue sitting on the bottom.

What do you suggest for the media inside the reactor? Keep biopellets (even though I have bio-rings in the media basket) or change to GFO or change to carbon (even though I have the Chemi-Pure Blue)? Also, I know the Chemi-Pure comes last, but I am not sure if I should hang it for more water flow or sitting on the bottom is ok.
 

Oropher

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IMHO, if the tank is properly cycled and use quality salt, proper amount of rock, good stocking habit, then it wouldn't need lots of tweak : GFO, biopellets, carbon, etc.

Maybe you could post your full tank shot, and also your sump, then we can give a better suggestion.
 

Waters

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I personally run carbon in all my tanks 24X7 so if anything, I would throw the carbon in there. Like already stated, nothing else is really needed at this time without testing to see where nutrient levels are at.
 
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FloridaGal762

FloridaGal762

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Thanks. Salinity, temp, nitrites are fine.

Phosphates were a little high so I did a water change.

I just see algae and I know I probably over feed (as newbies do) and I adjusted the lights to be on less.

Still learning the new hobby. :)
 

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