Reactor for bio-pellets?

[gar732]

What is the best reactor for bio-pellets? Will cheaper reactors like the two little fishes or the brs reactors work well?

 

[thewackyreefer]

I really like my Avast reactor, works great. Just saw a cool new one on ReefBuilders that tumbles the pellets as well.

 

[kirkleigh84]

Im running the next reef smr1 reactor. Great craftsmanship. Works reely well.

 

[gar732]

Can either of those be hung on the side of the tank like the TLF?

 

[droblack]

I modified a TLF 150 Phosban Reactor and was not happy with the performance. Upgraded to the SWC 80 media reactor, perfect for the pellets. It hangs off the side.

 

[gar732]

What was it that you weren't happy with, did it not tumble the pellets good enough?

 

[SunnyX]

I converted an old Vertex Zeo reactor for pellets use. I simply added some fiberglass door screening to contain the pellets and it works like a charm. The great thing about the zeo reactor is that I can I use the built in arm to suspend and shake the pellets. The corals love the excess mulm. Yummy!

Sonny

 

[droblack]

Exactly, it didn't tumble the pellets well enough, and extra flow wasn't doing it. The TLF reactor is good for charcoal and Rowaphos imo, but the design is not suited for the heavier pellets. The SWC reactor is built to disperse the flow well across the bottom and up, thus achieving better tumbling action. The top needs occasional cleaning, as bacteria begins to block the holes after a while. Other than that, works extremely well with the same mj1200 that was trying to run the TLF.

 

[Paul_N]

I converted an old Vertex Zeo reactor for pellets use. I simply added some fiberglass door screening to contain the pellets and it works like a charm. The great thing about the zeo reactor is that I can I use the built in arm to suspend and shake the pellets. The corals love the excess mulm. Yummy!

Sonny

+1 I did the same exact thing. Plus adding pellets is a breeze and no need to lift the entire unit out of the sump.

 

[Nuocmam]

I'm running the SRO pellet reactor and am very happy with it. It spreads the flow through the pellets really well even with a light tumble. Was unhappy with my SMR1 and PMI reactor. Always seemed like there was a dead spot somewhere in there.

 

[gar732]

That zeo reactor would be too large for the space I have. I'm thinking maybe the swc or the avast. I don't know if either of those can be hung off the tank though.

 

[CoralClark]

i use a tlf with a mj1200 and have had no issues at all. works really well in my opinion. been running them for about 3mo.

 

[Paul_N]

That zeo reactor would be too large for the space I have. I'm thinking maybe the swc or the avast. I don't know if either of those can be hung off the tank though.

I use mine in sump. Not meant to hang on. The Avast one is nice. Reef Octopus also has a nice one.

 

[bmooney31]

I have a BRS Jumbo biopellet reactor I'd sell you 65.00 Plus shipping

 

[goody]

I'm using a two little fishies reactor. Didn't like the lack of tumbling in areas. Seemed like I was tapping the reactor and moving it around sideways to keep from clumping. I ended up drilling some holes near the bottom, and now the pellets are tumbling great!