Best Space Saving Bio Pellet Reactor?

[CodyRVA]

So, I currently have one of the CPR in sump bio pellet reactors. It works, after modification, but i always get clumped up pellets resulting in unhappy coral.

I've been looking at the innovative marine mini reactors, but the reviews are very inconsistent; some love them, some hate them.

I've briefly debated an external setup, using my space for a pump, but I don't ever need many pellets to control my NO3 so this route seems over kill.

Anyone care to chime in on their experiences, preferences, thoughts or ideas?

 

[Patpare]

So, I currently have one of the CPR in sump bio pellet reactors. It works, after modification, but i always get clumped up pellets resulting in unhappy coral.

I've been looking at the innovative marine mini reactors, but the reviews are very inconsistent; some love them, some hate them.

I've briefly debated an external setup, using my space for a pump, but I don't ever need many pellets to control my NO3 so this route seems over kill.

Anyone care to chime in on their experiences, preferences, thoughts or ideas?

You could just use a two little fishes 150 reactor with a very easy modification with a small pump (maxijet 600) since you say you don't use much pellets.

 

[CodyRVA]

You could just use a two little fishes 150 reactor with a very easy modification with a small pump (maxijet 600) since you say you don't use much pellets.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosban-reactor-150.html

Is this the one you're talking about? Also, I have a spare MJ1200 laying around, could i use that? Curious as to what type of connectors I would need to hook up the pump...

 

[Patpare]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosban-reactor-150.html

Is this the one you're talking about? Also, I have a spare MJ1200 laying around, could i use that? Curious as to what type of connectors I would need to hook up the pump...

That's the one!
You would not need anything if you purchase the one linked,the kit has hose and valve to tweak the flow. The spare 1200 would work great,it just adds to much back pressure causing the pump to be noise and that's why I would use either a MJ600 or 900

 

[BigHildy53]

Have you looked at the Aquamaxx Omega series? I don't have direct experience with them but they are space saving.
http://aquamaxxaquariums.com/calcium-and-media-reactors/omega-series/

 

[CodyRVA]

Have you looked at the Aquamaxx Omega series? I don't have direct experience with them but they are space saving.
http://aquamaxxaquariums.com/calcium-and-media-reactors/omega-series/

I did look at these, but man... this isn't what I would call space saving!

Dimensions
Omega-1, Omega-2
Footprint Length 10.25", 12.6"
Footprint Width 14", 4"
Height 8", 10.3"

 

[CodyRVA]

That's the one!
You would not need anything if you purchase the one linked,the kit has hose and valve to tweak the flow. The spare 1200 would work great,it just adds to much back pressure causing the pump to be noise and that's why I would use either a MJ600 or 900

Good deal, might go this route, with the 600, entire setup for less than $100. Super small footprint as well.

 

[Patpare]

Good deal, might go this route, with the 600, entire setup for less than $100. Super small footprint as well.

This is an important piece that you will need for the modification
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosban-reactor-npx-screen.html

 

[CodyRVA]

This is an important piece that you will need for the modification
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosban-reactor-npx-screen.html

Awesome, thanks!

 

[CodyRVA]

A few thoughts....

I installed the phosban 150 with the bio pellet mod kit and honestly i'm disappointed. I think the reactor is solid and would be an ideal choice for GFO or an equivalent, but i'm skeptical on low volumes of pellets. I didn't test a larger volume of pellets because quite frankly I have no reason to. I use maybe 1/8 of a cup of pellets tops and this reactor just would not tumble them. I even swapped out the MJ600 for the 1200 and got the same result. That leads me to believe the pump size isn't the issue, but the geometrics of the reactor. Within a week I had clumped pellets; at least with the CPR I could go a month without issue. By no means am I bagging on this reactor, i'll likely repurpose it, but anyone needing a space saving reactor for small quantities of pellets should look elsewhere.

And I would not be surprised if I did something wrong to get the results I did, but there's not much customizability to this reactor, its pretty much plug and play...