What to invest in first, controller or media reactors?

Chrispelletier62 · Oct 30, 2020

I’m setting up a Red Sea Max E 260 and trying to decide what to do first, a Neptune apex with trident to monitor or go with media reactors?? Thoughts on which way to start....

DC Reefer · Oct 30, 2020

I really like my tridents and my apex. For me it makes everything much more manageable from a time perspective.

Also, really like the looks of your set-up. Nice scape!

Cabinetman · Oct 30, 2020

Get a controller.

Trey · Oct 30, 2020

Controller for sure. Reactors may not even be necessary at all. Not that a controller is necessary, but it certainly makes life a little easier.

Flippers4pups · Oct 30, 2020

Media reactors would be my choice as they can be considered a building block of a reef tank. May not need them always, but are very nice to have when needed.

A controller is nice to have especially if your away a lot, but they are not always useful as well.

Chrispelletier62 · Oct 31, 2020

DC Reefer said:
I really like my tridents and my apex. For me it makes everything much more manageable from a time perspective.

Also, really like the looks of your set-up. Nice scape!

I really like having all that info at my fingertips

Chrispelletier62 · Oct 31, 2020

Trey said:
Controller for sure. Reactors may not even be necessary at all. Not that a controller is necessary, but it certainly makes life a little easier.

I’m leaning this way

Chrispelletier62 · Oct 31, 2020

Flippers4pups said:
Media reactors would be my choice as they can be considered a building block of a reef tank. May not need them always, but are very nice to have when needed.

A controller is nice to have especially if your away a lot, but they are not always useful as well.

I may do both at very close intervals

HuduVudu · Oct 31, 2020

Chrispelletier62 said:
I’m setting up a Red Sea Max E 260 and trying to decide what to do first, a Neptune apex with trident to monitor or go with media reactors?? Thoughts on which way to start....

Controller, skip the reactors. If nothing else you need some sort of feed back to deal with heaters going bad and trust me ... heaters go bad.

SliceGolfer · Oct 31, 2020

What are you planning/trying to solve for? Let that be your guide. If you travel/will travel a lot, then controller makes sense. Trying to lower nutrients and polish water, then the reactors. Don’t know? Then it sounds like money in search of a problem.

Tamberav · Oct 31, 2020

I don't use a reactor so controller....but pretty sure getting the reagents needed for trident is difficult right now. So keep that in mind as it may effect usability. Paperweight?

SPR1968 · Oct 31, 2020

Flippers4pups said:
Media reactors would be my choice as they can be considered a building block of a reef tank. May not need them always, but are very nice to have when needed.

A controller is nice to have especially if your away a lot, but they are not always useful as well.

+1 to this, I agree completely

Bleigh · Oct 31, 2020

I’d go with controller first. It looks like it’s a new tank. I didn’t need any reactors until closer to a year in. I don’t even have them running right now because the numbers are all fine, but my controller is running and helped me realize my alk bottle was empty before my corals showed me the alk was dropping.

Viking_Reefing · Oct 31, 2020

I would say that since neither one is absolutely needed it’s down to your individual needs and wants.
A really boring answer but it is what it is.

LosReef · Oct 31, 2020

I would say controller if you're leaning Neptune. It'll be the foundation of everything else if you stay with their accessories. I just put carbon in a media bag occasionally. I wouldn't have anywhere near the success without the trident cause I'm terrible with my testing regime. The only I don't like is the wav pumps. They work, they're just really ugly and there are better low profile pumps that will work the same. They just use up less power outlets. It's also an alarm for many things like the heater out the box.

Chrispelletier62 · Oct 31, 2020

LosReef said:
I would say controller if you're leaning Neptune. It'll be the foundation of everything else if you stay with their accessories. I just put carbon in a media bag occasionally. I wouldn't have anywhere near the success without the trident cause I'm terrible with my testing regime. The only I don't like is the wav pumps. They work, they're just really ugly and there are better low profile pumps that will work the same. They just use up less power outlets. It's also an alarm for many things like the heater out the box.

I’m leaning towards the control. And I like the VorTech pumps. My Max E es no very big, so real estate is important to me.

X-37B · Oct 31, 2020

Chrispelletier62 said:
I really like having all that info at my fingertips

I think you just answered your own question, lol.

Chrispelletier62 · Oct 31, 2020

I think so. Just looking for validation...

TexasTodd · Oct 31, 2020

What else do you have? What skimmer? What circulation pumps? etc.

burningmime · Oct 31, 2020

A "generic" media reactor can be used for carbon, bio-pellets, or GFO. GAC works in a bag; there may be benefits to a reactor. GFO also works in bag, but is better if there's a reactor to tumble it. I've never used bio-pellets so I don't know if it's required for those.

CO2 scrubbers, calcium reactors, zeovit reactors, and algae reactors are all their own beasts. You might be able to convert a generic reactor into one of those if you're a DIY type.