Phosphate reactor

[frankieboy]

Hi was wondering do I need to get a phosphate reactor. My sump will have chambers for protein skimmer gfo reactor return pump refugium. Also do I need a calcium reactor, like bin mentioning all the time planning setup slow. And want to setup once but right, anyone can tell what's needed for a reef what equipment should I have total.

1 return pump
2 protein skimmer
3 gfo reactor
4 powerheads
5 heater
6 thermometer
7 refactometer
8 test kit
9 salt
10 lighting
11 live rock
12 sand
13 pvc pipes
14 ro/di system
15 qt tank
16 top off reservoir float valve
17 tank
18 stand
19 canopy
20 fish food

I already own a digital thermometer, 10 gallon tank for qt is size ok for acclimate fish. What equipment to make water crystal clear, I want keep nitrates down ph stable, good water chemistry.

 

[empire]

Gfo will control your phosphates. Get an additional reactor for carbon. This will help keep water crystal clean. How big is your tank? What brand/manufacturers will you be going with as far as equipment goes? What kind of salt are you going to be using?

 

[hclaveria]

How do these reactors work? I have a 75g FOWLR with a lot of LR, at least 50% filled with LR with lots of growth.

I also have a wet/dry with Bio Balls, Protein Skimmer, and I use Chemi Pure in my wet/dry.

I noticed that my water has been cloudy recently and it coincides with the time to change the Chemi Pure.

How much more efficient is a reactor? Do I need two, one each for Carbon and the Phosban?

Can I use a canister filter with carbon and Phosban instead?

I hope this is related to the OP (if not, I will create my own thread).

thanks,

 

[frankieboy]

Empire so fo late reply my tank will be a 150 gallon with chaeto refugium, so you are saying get to reactors, I thought gfo will keep water clear. So what should be other reactor I'm lost.

Sent from my PG86100 using Reefs

 

[shookONES]

@hclaveria: I'm going to be ordering a reactor for GFO/carbon after Christmas from BRS. Shoot me a text if you want to order with me so we can save on shipping.

 

[ChrisB]

I made the mistake of getting a single reactor , I would get dual reactor . Bulk reff supply has a nice dual one but I don't thing it hangs on the side of a sump .

 

[hclaveria]

@hclaveria: I'm going to be ordering a reactor for GFO/carbon after Christmas from BRS. Shoot me a text if you want to order with me so we can save on shipping.

Count me in...maybe we can get a group buy going after the holidays? I think the last one was in November.

 

[Reef_Paddy]

Most reef tanks will run both Carbon and GFO reactors, carbon to help keep the water clear and also neutralize various chemicals released by corals and GFO to control phosphates. BRS do a dual unit or 2LF Phosban 150 reactors are popular also.

If your in the early planning stages of your build, get a larger than necessary return pump and you can feed all your reactors off of this, and also have some spare flow for a chiller if you think it maybe needed during the hotter summer months. Personally I prefer in investing a little more upfront so you dont need to upgrade or buy more in future.

As for the calcium reactor, it depends on what coral stocking levels you will be keeping. Your options are a Kalk Reactor, a Calcium Reactor or dosing pumps. All have their own pros and cons. You can start off manually dosing 2 Part for example and then automate using dosing pumps as your LPS/SPS coral consumption rates grow over time.

 

[frankieboy]

Reef paddy so two reactors what brand is good, cost is no factor want quality. Equipment that will keep water clear and so on. Thanks for info

 

[Reef_Paddy]

I'd give 2 thumbs up to 2 Little Fishes Phosban 150 Reactors, they have served me well over the years and continue to do so.