need reactors101 class

[james1990]

Is there any informative threads or sites that can give me the basics and everything I need to know about reactors? I see they are used alot but im not sure what they do. Would like to try to add on my nano


Just trying to continue to learn!

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Basically reactors make your media(GFO or carbon) much more effective. When you run media in a bag there is far less surface area of the media that comes in contact with flowing water. The more of the medias surface that contacts flowing water the better the benefits.

Reactors are what they call up flow. The water goes down the center tube and than up from the bottom(directed through holes in the bottom of the tube towards the outside edge of the reactor body) and up through a sponge then through the media then through another sponge at the top and out of the reactor and back to your tank. This way the water will make contact with basically 100% of the media and work much much better than when it's packed into a nylon bag.

Hope this helps.

 

[james1990]

thats some really great info thanks jimmy.

So what would be best to run, cal, phosban, kalk? I know they all have their uses but im trying to decide which would be beneficial to run on my 10gal nano with 10gal sump.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

No problem, glad you liked it


I'd definitely stay away from kalk- way to easy to nuke your tank by accident.

I think a calcium reactor is overkill for a nano. I would run GFO for phosphate control in a reactor, carbon if you want to polish your water(take any yellowing out of it), and I would dose 2 part for cal and alk and then dose mag.



Just next water change you do take a full round of tests the same night and then each night following for the next week. That will give you the rate at which they get depleted from your corals using them. You may find that you do water changes often enough that you dont even need to dose. Just get your base readings and rate of absorption and you'll know after that.

Good luck

 

[skene]

What you need to do is research the type of reactors and what the uses are of each one. Based on a small nano there is no need for any of them, however as you progress you want to know what if any the benefits are of each ones.
IF you are just starting this hobby... You need to learn patience... and how to exercise your brain on constant changes of chemistry and evolving equipment.