Do Algae Reactors Work, And Worth It?

[Forsaken77]

It might even be worth it to try those dual reactors that people run gfo and then carbon in and put Chaeto in both and vinyl wrap it. Don't know if that would fit in my sump though.

 

[Forsaken77]

I just stood my smaller skimz one up Saturday with a ball of chaeto the size of a tennis ball. The O-ring is a PITA. Also, the DC power adapter for the light I unplugged and one the prongs pulled out the housing. Didn't fully break the connection but still disconcerting. I have an email into Skimz support to see what they say.


I will run a nitrate test this evening after work and will report back if it has changed.

Does the Skimz model have a screen or foam pad to prevent the little cuttings from leaving the reactor?

 

[d_adler]

I got the leds off amazon they say they are waterproof but the black vinyl protects them in case they aren't. The black vinyl completely stops the light. The vinyl is 3m the kind you'd use to wrap a car. I applied it over the leds then used a heat gun to shrink it around them. I had to make a small hole to make sure the light was on. I'm running it in a gfo reactor and it is run off my return manifold.

Could you post the link to the leds you used?

 

[andrew james]

These are the lights I used, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EZTUYRA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I used the 5 meter length.

 

[Maximus]

The reactor is 12" tall and is 4" in diameter. Yes, I have tried growing chaeto in a refugium in my previous tanks and I much prefer the reactor. It is a cleaner method with faster growth rates and without having chaeto flying around my main tank. It also doesnt light up my sump which reduces algae growth to a minimum in my skimmer and my sump walls.

Here is the original pic I posted above:

 

[Bruce Burnett]

I will try to take it apart and take pics tonight when I get home. For me it is not a show stopper, just needed to be aware when you are putting the top back on that you need to hold the ring down and then maneuver the lid on before it pops off the little lip.

Use a small amount of silicone grease on o-ring will not have anymore problems. you can buy at pool supply store, I would not go without it where o-rings are used and completely non toxic.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

A properly sized ATS will go about 4 weeks before needing cleaned actually longer than a chaeto reactor but you can build a reactor for less money and take up less room.

 

[scriptmonkey]

Any chance you could post pictures of this O-ring? And what makes it such PITA...
I'm so interested in this reactor, and kinda want to see what I would be getting my self into.
Thanks

Sorry for the delay.... work has been horrible. I hope you can see that there is a little protrusion of the black acrylic tube above the white flange. You have to slip the O-ring around that little lip then put the top cover on down on the 0-ring. It take a little patience to get it on but it is manageable.

Does the Skimz model have a screen or foam pad to prevent the little cuttings from leaving the reactor?

No. I found little pieces of Chaeto in my foam filter going into the return section. I just cleaned it out so will see if that was from when I initially put it in the reactor of if little parts are breaking off and floating out. I will report back. If I continue to see it and it becomes a problem I will most likely rig a draw string filter sock on the discharge of the reactor to catch the slivers of chaeto.

Use a small amount of silicone grease on o-ring will not have anymore problems. you can buy at pool supply store, I would not go without it where o-rings are used and completely non toxic.

I will pick some up and give it a shot. Thanks for the tip!

 

[VR28man]

Great, just what I need for my future tank.

Looks like it's useful to buy, maybe a better solution than the Refugium is was going to get.......:

 

[scriptmonkey]

Oh another side not...been almost a week, nothing back from Skimz about the defective power adapter. Not very pleased with their support.

 

[Forsaken77]

Oh another side not...been almost a week, nothing back from Skimz about the defective power adapter. Not very pleased with their support.

Did you try contacting BRS? They directly manage all Skimz warranty and replacement parts, like how Marine Depot does with AquaCraxx.

 

[jwilliams860]

Got mine the other week, now if i can find some chaeto locally. Here are some pics though, build quality looks pretty good.

 

[Forsaken77]

Th

Got mine the other week, now if i can find some chaeto locally. Here are some pics though, build quality looks pretty good.

Got mine the other week, now if i can find some chaeto locally. Here are some pics though, build quality looks pretty good.

That looks like it'll grow algae all over your sump. I know they tinted the plastic, but they should've done a better job with light bleed for the money it costs.

Before you use that, based on the other post in this thread from someone using it, I would suggest finding, or cutting, a coarse foam pad because it lets pieces of chaeto fly out. There's nothing to stop it. That's also part of the reason of the reactor, to keep it from getting out.

 

[jwilliams860]

I imagine the light bleed will be less with chaeto in it, hopefully. I have to get some chaeto in it first then I can find out the results.

The plastic isn't tinted, it's actually black acrylic. Once i see it in action I can see about the outflow from the reactor.

 

[Forsaken77]

I imagine the light bleed will be less with chaeto in it, hopefully. I have to get some chaeto in it first then I can find out the results.

The plastic isn't tinted, it's actually black acrylic. Once i see it in action I can see about the outflow from the reactor.

I asked a question on this reactors page at BRS if it comes with anything to keep the clippings in and they replied to me privately, saying that there's a grate to keep the clump of chaeto in but they find the trimmings do pass through. So being they're the ones selling it, you should maybe grab a coarse foam pad and cut it in a small circle to keep the trimmings inside. Just thought I'd let you know from the horses mouth. Here's a copy of the response:

Hello, Forsaken77!
Your question about MBR157 Macroalgae Reactor - Skimz has been answered.

Your Question: Are there screens in place to prevent the little bits of chaeto from escaping?

Answer: Hey There,
Thanks for reaching out to us. There are grates to keep the cheato in a localized chamber, however, these are more effective towards keeping the clump in and especially when harvesting we have noticed that small pieces can make their way through. If you have any other questions, let us know. Thanks!

 

[andrew james]

After looking at the skimz reactor the homemade aquamaxx reactor Seems like a much better deal.

 

[ethridge78]

Here is mine off brand one

 

[chefjpaul]

Here is mine off brand one

You have a link for this or did you build it?
Thanks

 

[ethridge78]

You have a link for this or did you build it?
Thanks

Don't have a link bought it off a guy on here but they sell a lot of them on Facebook

 

[Reefcowboy]

I had planned on running a fuge in my sump, but agree light makes the sump look like a gargbage can through time. Coraline growing in walls and chaeto pieces clogging pumps...