Need some advice

[FNPWR]

Hey everyone,

I’m currently in the planning phase of a new reef build and wanted to get some opinions from the community on what media you would recommend running in two media reactors.

The tank is a custom 240L × 90W × 50H cm display with a 180L × 60W × 50H sump, so it’s going to be a fairly large system. I’m trying to plan everything out ahead of time so plumbing, manifolds, and equipment placement are all designed properly from the start.

Some of the main equipment planned so far:

Lighting: 3 × Radion XR30 + 4 × AI Blade bars
Filtration: Reef Octopus 250-S skimmer
Flow: Dual Ecotech COR20 return pumps
Control: Apex Pro system with Trident, salinity probe, ATO, etc.
UV: Lifegard Pro-Max 120W
Cooling: 1 HP chiller
Refugium: Neptune GRO light
Calcium reactor: CalcFeeder AC3

I plan to run two media reactors off the manifold.

Right now my thinking is:

Reactor #1 – Activated carbon (running continuously)

For the second reactor, I’m trying to explore options other than the typical GFO or biopellet route. Since the system will also have a refugium and a good amount of rock, I’d prefer something that supports stability rather than aggressively stripping nutrients.

Some things I’ve been looking into:

• Bio media options
• Trace element or mineral media
• Other filtration media people have had success with

For those running Reactors, what media have you found useful in reactors besides the usual carbon/GFO/biopellets?

Since the tank is still in the planning stage, I’m trying to design things the right way before everything gets built.

Appreciate any ideas or experiences you’re willing to share.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'd consider building the manifold into your plumbing design, but waiting to see if or what media you need to run once your tank is up and running for some time

For example, GFO is used specifically to lower phosphate, but you don't know what your phosphate concentration is when your tank isn't running yet

My most recent tank had zero phosphate (a bad situation) for the first ten months or so, I have been dosing phosphate to keep the level up from zero. I couldn't have decided before I started the tank if I needed GFO or not until the tank was running and I did some water testing over some time.

I hope that helps and good luck!

 

[Uncle99]

Personally I’m not a fan of running activated carbon full time as it also pulls trace elements from the water, and is linked to HLLE. I use it for a few days to pull specific and targeted meds from the water, but then, out it comes.

I might also use it from time to time to deploy a GFO to pull some excess phosphate from the water, but, just until I bring phosphate on target.

You can certainly plumb them in if you want and just fill them when/if the need arises.

I just use a standalone media reactor in my sump when needed, then just unplug it and pull out out when finished.

Same with UV, it sterilizes both bad stuff and good stuff so again, I’ll use, but just to target a pest in the water column.

 

[FNPWR]

I'd consider building the manifold into your plumbing design, but waiting to see if or what media you need to run once your tank is up and running for some time

For example, GFO is used specifically to lower phosphate, but you don't know what your phosphate concentration is when your tank isn't running yet

My most recent tank had zero phosphate (a bad situation) for the first ten months or so, I have been dosing phosphate to keep the level up from zero. I couldn't have decided before I started the tank if I needed GFO or not until the tank was running and I did some water testing over some time.

I hope that helps and good luck!

Thanks for the reply,

Yeah i know its hard to decide on GFO, etc.

I have a GFO reactor ready, and i have the manifold built for extra items if need be.
I was mainly thinking of running some media like Lifefill, or other options.
I know that running other media can lead to traps for unwanted leaching etc. but im pretty good at maintenance and keeping up with the tank as i love doing it and look forward to it everyday.

 

[FNPWR]

Personally I’m not a fan of running activated carbon full time as it also pulls trace elements from the water, and is linked to HLLE. I use it for a few days to pull specific and targeted meds from the water, but then, out it comes.

I might also use it from time to time to deploy a GFO to pull some excess phosphate from the water, but, just until I bring phosphate on target.

Thanks for the reply,


Yeah ive never ran carbon through the reactor, i have always just had it in a bag etc.
I will do some research into this also.

Ive used ROWA PHOS and had great success with it, but i only ran it like you said as needed.

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks for the reply,


Yeah ive never ran carbon through the reactor, i have always just had it in a bag etc.
I will do some research into this also.

Ive used ROWA PHOS and had great success with it, but i only ran it like you said as needed.

Some use carbon, some use bags, but what I’ve found is most are doing that not fully understanding why!

Other than crystal clear water (like UV). To me, that’s counterproductive to what I’m trying to achieve

I like Rowa Phos its very aggressive.

Lately we’ve been using Fanua Marin Phos 0.04 which has not let the phosphate zero out like most GFO

Good luck on your new build.