Mini Reactor

[juneebear]

I have this 40 gallon tank with a few corals in it for a year now. And wondering if it's okay to set up this mini reactor and what will it do to help my tank. Attach is the link for the mini reactor. Thank you.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gfo-carbon-reactor-5-single.html

 

[NS Mike D]

Activated carbon removes toxins and other impurities from the water among other filtration (but I suspect to a much lower level than our other forms of filtration). It's not necessary, but I view it as insurance. Corals engage in chemical warfare, and activated carbon can remove those toxins.

GFO removes PO4. Unless you are testing elevated PO4, don't add the GFO. If you do have elevated PO4 then use GFO carefully, start slow and test for PO4 levels often. You can take PO4 out too quickly and cause bigger problems and the only way to know when to change the GFO is when PO4 starts to rise again.

If you don't NEED to run GFO, the unit can be run with just activate carbon.

I have the same unit on my 10gal DIY sump (for a 29g dt). I mounted it to the inside wall of the cabinet. Access if very easy. I use the shut off valve to stop the flow of water from the pump, unscrew the container, remove the inside media container, empty, clean, refill and put everything back.

PS, I tightened things up a bit after this picture so the pump is not near the heater. Never let any cords come close to a heater. They will melt and short the tank

 

[juneebear]

By the way I forgot to mention I am using Bubble Magnus 5 as my skimmer.

 

[NS Mike D]

By the way I forgot to mention I am using Bubble Magnus 5 as my skimmer.

they will both removed dissolved organics, but don't rely on the activated carbon to be the primary filtration for that, as the skimmer is far more efficient. No worries if you use a media reactor with carbon and a skimmer.

Activated carbon is not the same as carbon dosing. That is where you add vodka and/or vinegar or a commercial source like NOPOX - that form of carbon feeds a form of bacteria that locks up nutrients, flocculates which is then removed by a skimmer. This is a what to lower NO3 (and to some extend PO4) from the tank.

You mention GFO. Since carbon dosing (not activated carbon) can take down NO3 much faster that PO4, it can initially cause a problematic imbalance so reefers intially run GFO to help bring down the PO4 in balance.

Carbon dosing should, IMO, only be done after confirming with reliable test kits that you have elevated NO3 and PO4 and be done with extreme caution to not bottom out NOe and/or PO4 which can lead to far bigger problems,

 

[juneebear]

Thank you.