Algae Reactor

[Davy Jones]

I know its been done before, but this will be one of my first DIY projects so I was hoping to get a little input before i begin on some of the stuff!

Parts list:
AvastMarine MR10 Reactor - https://www.avastmarine.com/collect...ts/fluidized-media-reactor?variant=1894524867 $165

Amazon grow lights - https://www.amazon.com/OxyLED-Flexi...-Hydroponics/dp/B0722KXZMN/ref=cm_wl_huc_item $22

Maxijet 1200 - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/cobalt-mj1200-powerhead.html $40

Silicone tubing 6 feet - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/white-soft-silicone-tubing-sold-by-the-foot.html $26


Total cost works out to be around $250-260.. Which seems high for a diy project.

Couple of stipulations, I need a high quality reactor, as it will not be in/above my sump (hence the avast)

I can not plumb it off of my main return pump (hence the Maxijet)

Any suggestions??

 

[diablomaster9045]

First get the MJ on amazon. $15 cheaper https://www.amazon.com/Marineland-M...=1499376555&sr=8-2&keywords=maxijet+1200+pump

Vinyl tubing is much cheaper than silicone so you could save some money there.

get a 4:1 Red to blue hydroponic LED much better spectrum for chaeto https://www.amazon.com/ABelle-Light...376760&sr=8-6&keywords=hydroponic+strip+light

and depending on your tank size, I might recommend getting a larger reactor. And build the reactor yourself. Save a ton of money and is super easy to do. https://www.avastmarine.com/collect...luidized-media-reactor-kit?variant=4636071555

 

[Davy Jones]

First get the MJ on amazon. $15 cheaper https://www.amazon.com/Marineland-M...=1499376555&sr=8-2&keywords=maxijet+1200+pump

Vinyl tubing is much cheaper than silicone so you could save some money there.

get a 4:1 Red to blue hydroponic LED much better spectrum for chaeto https://www.amazon.com/ABelle-Light...376760&sr=8-6&keywords=hydroponic+strip+light

and depending on your tank size, I might recommend getting a larger reactor. And build the reactor yourself. Save a ton of money and is super easy to do. https://www.avastmarine.com/collect...luidized-media-reactor-kit?variant=4636071555

Thanks for this! Larger setup and save ~$50 all together!!

 

[oscargrumete61]

 

[Davy Jones]

Equipment list? How does it perform?

 

[oscargrumete61]

I dit it maybe 2 months ago when trying all water come out i forgot to put the hose back to the aquarium so stay in stand by , i spend maybe$80.00 bucks

 

[LEOreefer]

Just got done with this today

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

Congrats I just built my owe for 6 bucks plus led 6 bucks then the one pictured is another one I just built cost was 65 dollars. FYI I tried to use the grow lites it didn't work. Keep me posted how yours works.

 

[Davy Jones]

Congrats I just built my owe for 6 bucks plus led 6 bucks then the one pictured is another one I just built cost was 65 dollars. FYI I tried to use the grow lites it didn't work. Keep me posted how yours works.

You arent the first one ive heard say this. I will likely try warm white if the grow lights dont work out for me when i do the build eventually

 

[diablomaster9045]

Here is mine:
AquaMaxx XL reactor
same LED strip I posted above
maxijet driven

Going to move it to a horizontal once I get some brackets 3d printed.

 

[Davy Jones]

I don't want the light spillage of just having the led's around the edges, I might also order some 3m car vynal in black and wrap the whole reactor in it. I won't be able to see the chaeto growth but it'll be worth it imo

 

[diablomaster9045]

I don't want the light spillage of just having the led's around the edges, I might also order some 3m car vynal in black and wrap the whole reactor in it. I won't be able to see the chaeto growth but it'll be worth it imo

There will be a good chance you will burn out the LEDs from heat if you inclose the LED's in vinyl.

 

[Davy Jones]

There will be a good chance you will burn out the LEDs from heat if you inclose the LED's in vinyl.

I feel like i can pick up a dimmer, run them at 70% and the heat transferrance from the water in the reacator will keep them cool enough to not die

 

[alshayazoo]

I had a separate tank for a refugium in my cabinet but took it out to make some room and made this the other day.

Biggest and cheapest reactor I could find ($50)
some zip ties ($2 for a pack)
some clear hose ($2)
dimmable 3 color led strip ($15)
Old pump I had on hand.

So far so good.

 

[hart24601]

Here is mine, phosban 550 wrapped in vinyl. Left a 2" flap so I can open it and check the growth then close the flap and back to blocking all light (I just cut the material 2" longer than needed and folded it over so it wasn't sticky on that spot). I had the sicce 0.5 pump so the total to make was $68 for reactor, $12 for lights and $11 for one sided adhesive vinyl and I have a lot of that left over! The red in the pic is almost nothing in person and there is no light spill and you can see it running in the last pic. As for heat I have not noticed any heat besides slightly warm to the touch, not hot at all, the water flowing in the reactor seems to keep it cool, I wonder if the vinyl acts like a heat sink and actually helps transfer heat evenly across the surface although I do not run the light without the feed pump running. I also don't have a many winds as some do with the LEDs.

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

Here is mine, phosban 550 wrapped in vinyl. Left a 2" flap so I can open it and check the growth then close the flap and back to blocking all light (I just cut the material 2" longer than needed and folded it over so it wasn't sticky on that spot). I had the sicce 0.5 pump so the total to make was $68 for reactor, $12 for lights and $11 for one sided adhesive vinyl and I have a lot of that left over! The red in the pic is almost nothing in person and there is no light spill and you can see it running in the last pic. As for heat I have not noticed any heat besides slightly warm to the touch, not hot at all, the water flowing in the reactor seems to keep it cool, I wonder if the vinyl acts like a heat sink and actually helps transfer heat evenly across the surface although I do not run the light without the feed pump running. I also don't have a many winds as some do with the LEDs.

We have the same one looks good

 

[Richards_reef]

To save cash look for the parts used, you can try craigslist, local clubs, or if you have one in the area a used aquarium store.

 

[Wiz]

I cant imagine these reactors working on anything more than 10-20 gallons. I needed a 30 gallon fuge to make a dent in nnitrate and phos. And it spikes a small amount when i harvest. Do these have measurable effects? And how big are the tanks theyre on?

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

I cant imagine these reactors working on anything more than 10-20 gallons. I needed a 30 gallon fuge to make a dent in nnitrate and phos. And it spikes a small amount when i harvest. Do these have measurable effects? And how big are the tanks theyre on?

I got mine on a 125g I harvest every week. My nitrates stay around 3 to 6. I don't know why it just grows fast. Probably due to the light penetration my fuge grows slow.

 

[hart24601]

I cant imagine these reactors working on anything more than 10-20 gallons. I needed a 30 gallon fuge to make a dent in nnitrate and phos. And it spikes a small amount when i harvest. Do these have measurable effects? And how big are the tanks theyre on?

Just depends how much you feed. BRS video on chaeto, some interesting results there. In general they used more chaeto than a reactor will hold, although the reactors do hold a surprising amount and grow very dense, however they were using 1 cube of food a day and the chaeto easily handled the nutrients in the larger balls (except the CFL). The more interesting results are the hang on refugium, it still managed to export a good deal of phosphate despite being small and having a weak light and IMO a moderate sized reactor should easily outperform that HOB as the light in the reactor is pretty intense.

I use the reactor as only part of my overall export methods including vinegar, skimmer, gfo and purigen. I can't say exactly how much each method removes. It is on a 60 cube, I feed around 1 cube a day total.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...55199E366025C068BF8755199E366025C&FORM=VRDGAR