phosban reactor recommendation please

[Candi]

I've got a bit of an algae issue in my 70g, presumably because I've been a bit lax in keeping my skimmer cleaned out (it uses bioballs internally) and my sump could use a cleaning. I pull out as much as I can but I'm not very good at it (thick rubber gloves I use make it difficult to get a grip and I'm not taking them off LOL)

I was considering a seahare, but worry about him getting sucked into a pump or rehoming him when he eats the algae (there isn't all that much) so I'm thinking a phosban reactor along with more regular maintance might be a good idea.

Any recommendations on which one to get? The one drsfostersmith.com sells is on sale and I need some other stuff from them, is that one ok? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...ial&Ntk=All&pc=1&N=0&Ntt=phosban reactor&Np=1

I'm assuming they are powered with a pump? I have some maxijet 900's and 1200's around, would those work?

Thanks... and if anyone wants to loan out a seahare let me know LOL

 

[Phyl]

That PO4 reactor pictured is the one most of us use (the Two Little Fishies brand). They are fed by a pump though I think the 900 & 1200 are way too strong for this. You want more along the lines of a 400.

HTH.

 

[Candi]

Thank You!

 

[pgordemer]

That PO4 reactor pictured is the one most of us use (the Two Little Fishies brand). They are fed by a pump though I think the 900 & 1200 are way too strong for this. You want more along the lines of a 400.

HTH.

I mini-jet 404 is the perfect pumpt for this. 80 Gallons per hour and in most places sells for less than $20. Uses a whopping 5 watts of power ;D

 

[Jf2381]

I used the Two Little Fishies before and liked it, I owned two new version and the old thumb screw version, but this time around I gave the ViaAqua reactor a try.
I found that the ViaAqua is better built than the TLF and they included a pump for the same price as the TLF.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ct_Code=VIA-PR20/20&Category_Code=phosreactor
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ct_Code=TLF-PHOSREC&Category_Code=phosreactor

 

[Phyl]

Jose, I was wondering about that when we sorted through it the other day. How do you find the hose connections v. the connections on the TLF reactor? The connections on the TLF reactor always feel a bit flimsey and ready to empty my tank on the floor to me. These (with the straight up the top design) look a bit more like they're meant to hold water. You'll have to review it after you've had a chance to change the media in it a couple of times.

 

[pgordemer]

The connections on the TLF reactor always feel a bit flimsey and ready to empty my tank on the floor to me. These (with the straight up the top design) look a bit more like they're meant to hold water.

Same here, the TLF 90 angle connectors at the top made me nervous since it takes very little pull for the barb to pull out. I just put a plastic wire tie around it and that seems to help. You can't pull it out.

 

[Phyl]

Yeah, we've tied ours on as well, but I still don't care for them! I was wondering if those hoses coming straight up were annoying like that? Does the hose tend to kink? Sit nicely in small places (not that that's important for our application, but it might be for someone else)?

 

[Candi]

Glad to see mention of the ViaAqua, I was actually just looking at that as an option since I saw it came with the hoses and a pump and was a really good price. Also sounds like it might work out better for me given the smaller size (not to much room in my sump).

So that seems like a viable option to the TLF.

 

[Candi]

another newbie to reactor question: which media do you recommend using, is one better then the other? This is for my 70g RR

Thanks!

 

[Phyl]

The stuff the club sells at 1/10th the price of the stuff you get in LFS.

 

[pgordemer]

another newbie to reactor question: which media do you recommend using, is one better then the other? This is for my 70g RR

Thanks!

The club has some from a group buy that can save you a lot of money. Also you can buy generic bulk from here. Very good and reliable. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com (this is the new name for the old twopartsolution site.)

 

[Jf2381]

Jose, I was wondering about that when we sorted through it the other day. How do you find the hose connections v. the connections on the TLF reactor? The connections on the TLF reactor always feel a bit flimsey and ready to empty my tank on the floor to me. These (with the straight up the top design) look a bit more like they're meant to hold water. You'll have to review it after you've had a chance to change the media in it a couple of times.

The connection on the VIA feels some much more secure than the TLF. I will be more than happy to give a review after a couple of media changes.

 

[depitch039]

I use Kent Marine Reactor with minijet pump.

Before you get reactor check PO4, NO3 levels. ???

It may be due to high NO3(nitrates), this is better treated with weekly water changes.

Are you using RO/DI water in your tank??

The high contaminents in tap water could be a problem.

HTH

 

[Candi]

Good points, always know what you're treating and why. In my case the reactor is needed... RO/DI used, min. 10g weekly (normally 20g bi-weekly) water changes, good flow etc. Same everything as I do/use in my aquapod (which doesn't even have a skimmer or refug) and that tank doesn't have a spot of algae.