Tunze Macro Algae Reactor

[dwair]

Well I've had this going on a month now. Figured I'd do a review. This thing is an absolute beast. Grows Chaeto like crazy. Been pulling out a ton of chaeto each week when i do my water change. Pretty simple to unscrew the top, pull it out and I've been taking a magic eraser to clean the inside, as I did notice if there was some algae buildup on the inside, it would not spin as well or at all depending.

Not a big deal, easy to clean out. I've been running it 24/7 with the light on and my Nitrates have been holding steady at 20 which I'm completely happy with, they were at 50. I'm a heavy feeder. This was a perfect solution for my tank as my sump just did not have the room for a refugium and I don't really have the room for a remote fuge either.

So this was just a great product. Highly recommend.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Nice review. How about a photo or two?

 

[JJKK]

I am assuming you have yours external to the sump. If so, what is your procedure for cleaning out the chaeto without making a mess with water spillage? Thanks.

 

[dwair]

I actually do not have it external. I have it in the sump, I can take some pictures later and I'll put them up.

As far as cleaning out the chaeto without making a mess, I just turn off the pump prior to opening it up, the water drains into the sump and I open it up, pull out the chaeto, take a magic eraser to the inside, clean it up, and then take a golf ball size of the HUGE amount of chaeto i just harvested and throw it back in, tighten it back up, and turn the pump back on. Total of 5 min a week?

 

[JJKK]

Okay. Thanks. I do have it a bit lower than the sump and I guess I am getting some back siphoning even after I turn the pump off.

 

[Wonkabar]

I actually do not have it external. I have it in the sump, I can take some pictures later and I'll put them up.

As far as cleaning out the chaeto without making a mess, I just turn off the pump prior to opening it up, the water drains into the sump and I open it up, pull out the chaeto, take a magic eraser to the inside, clean it up, and then take a golf ball size of the HUGE amount of chaeto i just harvested and throw it back in, tighten it back up, and turn the pump back on. Total of 5 min a week?

How high is the water level that you have it sitting in? I just ordered one and plan to put it in my sump as well since I have the room. However I am a bit concerned about submerging the leds.