Best bio pellet reactor value

[Scutterborn]

Here we go. I've been thinking of getting a BP reactor and don't have any experience with them. What I'm looking for is first hand experience. Please keep in mind that I'm not rich and I reef on a budget.

Let the games commence!!!

 

[cparka23]

You didn't mention the size of your system, so it's hard to say if what works for my nano reef will work for your needs.

The CPR Tumblers are very affordable (~$40-50 at Marine Depot). I run the Nano version on my ~20 gallon tank and use Warner Marine's EcoBak biopellets. It keeps them tumbling well and offers enough control on the included pump. I was mostly concerned about size and function, so it fits my needs at a nice price. Been using it for about a year now.

As a drawback, the reactor is not exactly built like a champ. The Nano is tapered towards the bottom and sits on the end of a small powerhead. It never wobbles around, but it has a lean to it and can't be balanced perfectly vertical. Not a big deal to me, since I was just happy to have it fit in a small space of my sump. (The Mini version has suction cups on the side to keep it positioned a little more neatly, but it was larger than I wanted.)

Again, not sure if it's large enough for you. WM EcoBak is 250mL of pellets per 50 gallons of aquarium. I can't speak for the Mini version, but the Nano probably can't handle more than a 30 gallon system. That would change if you found a biopellet media that requires less pellets per gallon, of course. I never really looked into it.

 

[Scutterborn]

Sorry. I should've included some more details.

250g TWV on my system. I'm looking for an in sump model

 

[jt17]

Cad lights has a nice conical reactor that i saw at MACNA. I use the next reef biopellet reactor and my one complaint is you have to adjust the flow frequently because as the pellets are consumed and shrink the will require more flow to keep them from sticking together. This doesn't seem to be as much of a problem with the conical design.

 

[msayani2]

I have been wondering the same. I was choosing between AVAST marine, teh new vertex lineup and JNS biopellet reactors.. Anyone have any advice on which is best? I would like to set one up for my 150-180g setup.

 

[msayani2]

Bump.

 

[jt17]

I was at a lfs in Tampa the other day and I was asking about the dead space in the cylinder reactors and what they did to modify theirs is the removed the bottom plate and shortened the tube that shoots water into the reactor. Simple. It's the plates getting clogged that create the dead spots. This way just blasts water into the bottom if the reactor. This simple concept can easily be fabricated with PVC for cheap or Avast has do it yourself parts to build your own.

 

[Scutterborn]

Bump. Keeps those ideas coming!


- Ben -

 

[Eric B]

I run a Aqualund for almost a year now and have had no issues with it! It is a recirculating reactor so you can control the flow rate through the reactor and can be run internally or externally if needed.

 

[Scutterborn]

The Aqualund looks nice. I've been looking at the Bashsea and Reef Octopus models mostly. This is why I started this thread. There are so many others out there that I just am not familiar with.


- Ben -

 

[creefer]

FWIW, I like my RO reactor. Works very well.

 

[bknapp]

I've really liked my "Bluefin reactor by Triton Aquatics" pellet tractor. It can tumble more than 1000mL of pellets with a small Maxi Jet. I'm not sure if they're readily available.

 

[Scutterborn]

FWIW, I like my RO reactor. Works very well.

Which model are you running?


- Ben -

 

[Pappy]

I picked up 2 cad lights reactors at manna and dr Tim's bio pellets and they're working fantastic! Initial setup was a bit of a pain as the air bubbles make the pellets rise but once dialed in tumble perfectly and have not had an issue!