a few ?'s about running a reactor on a solana

[BFITZ06]

I set up my new 34gal solana a few weeks ago and now i want to add a reactor to it. my question is should i run the 2 little fishes 150 reactor inline off the stock pump or should i drop a maxijet 1200 or 600 in the back chamber and run the reactor off that?
my plan is to put the reactor under the tank in my stand so there is going to be about 4-5 feet of line going down to the reactor and back up to the rear chamber of my tank. i could put the reactor behind the tank but servicing it would be a pain.
whats the output on the stock pump?
if i had to upgrade the pump what should i go with?

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

not to hard to service... unplug and pull out, unscrew, remove top sponge, empty old media, clean sponges, pour new media, and screw on cap. Now if you have no clearence around the tank that's a diff story. should be fine running the 600 that distance. Unless your worried about heat issues in your solana. If you are, i would swap out the smaller and use a bigger maxi to run inline with the reactor. JMO..

 

[masterswimmer]

Brian, I just saw this thread (after we PM'd). I didn't realize you're thinking of a sump mounted reactor with a head height of 4'-5'. That type of back pressure will not permit you to use the Minijet 404 we discussed. If the reactor were mounted on the back of your Solana the MJ404 would be ideal.

If you could choose one place to mount the reactor right now, we can discuss the appropriate pump for that scenario.

Russ

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

When I use mine I hang it on the back.

 

[BFITZ06]

Just going to mount it behind the tank I have just enough clearance
Chief did u have any heat issues ?

 

[jrobbins]

Its been a while since i had a solana, but i just made a little media basket and put it in one of the rear chambers. you can totally run a reactor if you want to, but i have a feeling you could get by with a couple bags of chemipure and a little egg-crate.

 

[seldin]

Just be careful that if you use a reactor that is not in sump, that it does not leak. I purchased a new little fishes reactor and it leaked. For me, when I examined the fittings, I did not think they were solid. I returned it and purchased the BRS phosban reactor, which I feel is much better made.

However, the BRS reactor is large and heavy. I wish they had made one, that was lighter and could hang on a sump...However, after 6 months, it works great and does not leak...Very well made. Also, you can run phosban and carbon in this reactor if needed.

Again, my only real complaint, is that this thing is very bulky and heavy. It looks similar to a canister I use for my RO/DI unit.

One thing that is important, is to make sure your unit has a ball valve or one can be installed, so you can vary the pressure on the pump.

Good luck,