What reactor media are you currently running on your reef and why?

[revhtree]

A media reactor is an aquarium filtration device that contains filter media. It helps to increase the effectiveness of the filter media inside by forcing all water that enters the reactor to come in contact with the media. This eliminates the problem of only exposing your aquarium water to a portion of the filter media—which is what happens when media is placed inside a media bag. - Marine Depot

1. What reactor media are you currently running on your reef?

2. Why are you running this type of reactor media on your reef?


image via Marine Depot

 

[mrk1720]

Running a GFO/Carbon mix.

For water clarity and keeping phos in check

 

[Sdot]

I use the now discontinued vertex media reactor. I run carbon... you know keep the water clear and hopefully absorb any harmful substance that might find its way into the tank....

 

[BaysEndReef]

Yep. Carbon and GFO.

 

[dwest]

GAC in a bag in my sump replaced every 3 weeks.

 

[Arabyps]

I run 2 reactors: (1) Dr. Tim's NP Pearls for nitrate/phosphate/silicate management and (2) Matrix carbon with Purigen. I use the the Lifegard Aquatics reactors with embedded pump.

 

[Silent]

Carbon and zeolites. Carbon to keep the water clear for higher light transmission and zeolites to keep nitrates lower by removing ammonia before converting to nitrate.

 

[Jeffcb]

Carbon and Chemi Pure Elite.

 

[stanlalee]

GFO and carbon mixed to keep phosphates low and water clarity

 

[Roytrolls247]

I am running only Carbon ATM

 

[stanleo]

I don't use any kind of reactor. Haven't had the need and my NO3 is 2 ppm and my PO4 is .03. I dose for alk and cal with an autodoser daily.

 

[zalick]

None at the moment. Occasionally run carbon for clarity or if I suspect a contamination. I have to dose P so no need for GFO.

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

I put a bag of carbon in the HOB motor filter. I spread the carbon over the filter pad to maximize contact.

 

[atoll]

I have had many different reactors over the years with the likes of Deltec AquaMedic etc etc. However the best I have ever used for Rowa is my current one and I have no idea why they aren't more readily used or known about. My reactor is a Ultra Reef UFF-003.run by a little Newa Jet pump. Fluiidizes the Rowa perfectly and never spills it out.

 

[Ippyroy]

I run carbon in a BRS reactor off of my main return pump. I have a second one ready to go for GFO if/when I need it.

 

[Reefvision]

I use sulfur and calcium layered in two vertex reactors piped in series fed by a “ throttled “ power head ( steady but slow stream) for nitrate level management. Holding level at aprox 5 ppm—was at over30 prior.also use carbon and rowa passively in sump.

 

[Zeedawg]

GFO, BioPellet, Carbon RoX

 

[Fishguywc]

Only GAC in a Nyos reactor plumbed into main return

 

[Adamantium]

Quick question: I have an unused 1/4” mur lok canister that I’d like to make into a reactor. Is that possible? Is there a pump that I could hook up to that size tubing, or would I have to upsize it somehow?

 

[JMetaxas]

BRS reactor with Rox carbon and occasional GFO