I have a JBJ nano cube 28 gallon that is set up as a mixed reef with a couple of clowns in it. I am considering adding a chaeto reactor to the tank for nutrient export as a pod habitat. I have watched a few videos on youtube on how to build them, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them or had any recommendations on them. Thanks
Chaeto Reactor
- AIO Build
- Thread starter ranchhand02
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Justfebreezeit
Valuable Member
I just put one on my nuvo 20 and I like the idea of it. I'm not sure how well its going to work on my tank though.
A couple things to consider
1. With only two clowns your bioload is pretty low and the Chaeto might starve after a couple weeks.
2. Be careful with the cheaper reactors and the the striplights over heating them, find a way to keep it cool. (I have an example of how I took that into account on mine below)
I wish mine has been running longer so I could give you more to go on.
As you can see here I wrapped the strip leds inside a piece of PVC and drilled holes in it as well to vent air. With the lights not wrapped directly to the reactor i'm hoping I avoid future issues with the acrylic wraping or cracking
A couple things to consider
1. With only two clowns your bioload is pretty low and the Chaeto might starve after a couple weeks.
2. Be careful with the cheaper reactors and the the striplights over heating them, find a way to keep it cool. (I have an example of how I took that into account on mine below)
I wish mine has been running longer so I could give you more to go on.
As you can see here I wrapped the strip leds inside a piece of PVC and drilled holes in it as well to vent air. With the lights not wrapped directly to the reactor i'm hoping I avoid future issues with the acrylic wraping or cracking
ranchhand02
Active Member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2017
- Messages
- 193
- Reaction score
- 69
Thanks for the reply. I am planning on adding some more fish to the system, but your right my bio load is low. I have had the tank set up for a year and a half and I would really like a mandarin if I can get enough pods to feed him. I am also looking at a HOB refugium that I may go with rather than a reactor, but I am still deciding.
