DIY reactor question

[skywurz]

So ive been thinking about adding some reactors. I have a algae bloom and feel like it could be phosphate but my tests show 0.

Is there any real reason a media reactor needs to be clear? I was thinking i could get some 4 or 6" abs or pvc and build reactors really cheap.

 

[jerrod]

There is no reason for it to be clear other than tuning it, some media tumbles some should not. Or with some media to see if it’s exhausted.

 

[Slawman]

The clear tube helps you calibrate the flow but that's all. I have used standard PVP pipe before in a reactor and it works fine. If you are handy you can even cut a along the length of the tube and stick in a strip of acrylic....

 

[Billdogg]

As the others have mentioned, it is way easier to set the flow correctly if you can see the media.

This is especially true for GFO, commonly used for excess PO4. It needs to be an upflow reactor set so that the surface of the GFO tumbles a little. Too much flow and it can grind itself to dust and royally PO your corals.

I use the same type reactors for carbon, although I use then in a downflow configuration for it. A solid tube would be fine for carbon set up that way.

hth!