Phos Reactors

[kdirk]

Do thay work or a waste of money? which one is better?

[MeuserReef]

I would like to know this too.

[kdirk]

bump

[vidrine7322]

definately work and are well worth the money, which one is best really depends on the sive of the system and the amount of media you will be using, they re basicalyl all the same just a little diffirence in the diameter of the chamber.

[kdirk]

125g with a 55g sump about half full. Do you use one and what kind? thanks

[t5Nitro]

I use phosban in a phosban reactor. Start it slow. Maybe half of the media or maybe 1/4 of the media recommended. Then every month when you change it, put a little more in. Keep added more slowly like that on each media change until it is where the recommended amount is.

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Why add slowly?

[kdirk]

what size pump do you run on it. I can't tell from the photo if the return has a line out or a overflow spill like a syclone?

[ccoral]

Check out this unit already comes with the pump sized to the unit

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Category_Code=

[Ti]

Yes they are worth it

[rykwong]

I have the kent marine on my tank. They all work the same way, really simple design. I'd just get the two little fish phos reactor since it comes with the ball valve and it's the cheapest one. I'm not sure where I read it but you want to start with half the required dosage, dropping the phosphates too fast causes problems. Then up the dosage. Yes it helps with algae. I had a film of it on my back wall and now it's falling off.

[seagirl]

I use this one-

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

with the phosban media. i put in one whole can and change it every 3 months. i use a micro jet pump, but any small pump will work. it comes with a valve on the inlet so you can control the flow in. worth the money imo. you can also get a nother one and put carbon in it, and link the 2 of them together. i will do this pretty soon probably. HTH

[DSKinchen]

I use a Phosban and it works great, but any good media put in your return flow will work. I think the fluidized bed reactors like the phosban and kent are better in exposing the media to flow, but I would guess that for the end result, most any solution will work fine.

[GreenUku]

You can also make a DIY version like this one pretty easily.

Instead of gluing in the PVC I used some grommets (like uniseals) and barbed hose adapters with vinyl tubing. Also you can find those canisters that are taller and skinnier to give you more contact time with the media.

[kdirk]

Thanks for the help, GreenUku thats a nice DIY but right now I dont have the time. I think im going with the phosban 150 with a mini-jet 606. How long should I run a half dose the first time? Thanks for the input

[Adamc1303]

I just got the 2 little fishies unit about 21 weeks ago. I use the 404 not the 606. The Manufacturer recommends not more than 100 GPH so the 404 is perfect. I have it with the lever on the pump all the way down. I am using the Rowa brand phosban.

[Reef Sponger]

yes, they're worth it.

[kdirk]

Adamc1303 I thought about head loss and both have a type of flow control thats why I picked the 606. Thanks

[vidrine7322]

as far as flow goes, you really want enough to give a slow gentle roll of media throughout the reactor, too much flow causes it to blow around and crumble apart.

[vidrine7322]

as far as flow goes, you really want enough to give a slow gentle roll of media throughout the reactor, too much flow causes it to blow around and crumble apart.

[kdirk]

the max flow for 150grams is 80gph the 606 is 84 to 160gph turned all the way down and with 12" to 18" head the 606 should be 55 to 70gph and down the road I may be adding another one with carbon. Thanks

[hatfielj]

The question you ask (do they work and are they worth it?) is a good one. However, it requires some reading, imo, in order for you to decide this for yourself. I personally feel that they are very useful when used in combination with a refugium that grows and harvests macroalgae on a regular basis. By themselves, they are useful, but not perfect. I use a phosban reactor with 80% carbon and 20% phosban. Additionally I use a refugium and grow and harvest cheato on a regular basis. I feel this system is vital to the health of my corals. Here is the article I read that helped me make this decision. The article gives a very good overview of phosphate in the reef aquarium and critiques each of the various methods for keeping it under control. It also references a research article done by the university of hawaii in the journal of marine biology about macroalgae and its ability to use phosphates and other nutrients from the water. I highly reccomend reading over it to help you come to a decision. Good luck!
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

[kdirk]

I read that. I have a 55g with refugium and macroalgae however it dose not seem to grow or die, I do seem to have alot of halimeda plant growing. The reason I want to try the reactor is because with the refugium and macroalgae my phosphate is at .25 to .5 Thanks for the input