Equipment help!

[Dasidius]

Hello guys I need some help here. Im new to this hobby and Im trying to figure out the differences between some equipment. What are the differences and which is the best or best combo of them to use?
1. GFO reactor
2. Bio Pellet reactor
3. Carbon reactor
4. XPORT bio bricks

Thanks in advance guys!!

 

[mcarroll]

1. phosphate remover
2. nitrate reducer
3. color remover
4. unnecessary if you have a sand bed or live rock

 

[Macdaddynick1]

1. phosphate remover
2. nitrate reducer
3. color remover
4. unnecessary if you have a sand bed or live rock

#3 lol

 

[Dasidius]

So would it be recommended to have a GFO, Bio Pellet and a carbon reactor to have a successful and beautiful tank?

 

[mcarroll]

Hm..."best" is so amorphous.

I'd argue the best tanks don't need any of those. But there are some dang fine tanks that have some or all of them.

I would only use any of them as-needed.

 

[Salty1962]

1. phosphate remover
2. nitrate reducer
3. color remover
4. unnecessary if you have a sand bed or live rock

Why do you say a Carbon Reactor removes color?

 

[mcarroll]

That's what most folks use it for....getting ultra-clear water by removing coloring compounds.

If you'd prefer a completist answer:

Activated Carbon: 1 Uses (Wikipedia)



You might also be interested that carbon is used in many forms...not just activated, compressed. "Carbon reactor" used too generically might refer to a Carbon dioxide reactor, or even a hydrocarbon in the form of a bio-pellet reactor or vodka or vinegar dosing.

Activated carbon would be the traditional carbon of the "carbon reactor" though.

 

[madweazl]

Why do you say a Carbon Reactor removes color?

That is what I use it for.

 

[Salty1962]

That is what I use it for.

For water clarity?

 

[Salty1962]

That's what most folks use it for....getting ultra-clear water by removing coloring compounds.

If you'd prefer a completist answer:

Activated Carbon: 1 Uses (Wikipedia)



You might also be interested that carbon is used in many forms...not just activated, compressed. "Carbon reactor" used too generically might refer to a Carbon dioxide reactor, or even a hydrocarbon in the form of a bio-pellet reactor or vodka or vinegar dosing.

Activated carbon would be the traditional carbon of the "carbon reactor" though.

OK , I wasn't sure if you were referring to coral coloration. I also use a carbon reactor w/ ROX.8 to keep my water clear.

 

[madweazl]

For water clarity?

Yep; does a great job keeping water very clear.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

I met an older gentleman in CA last year who owns a nice fish shop and maintains some pretty big expensive tanks in the Walnut Creek area. I was shopping for a carbon reactor and he asked me what for. I described my reef tank - mostly softies and LPS - and he said to go easy on the carbon as it could do too good a job of cleaning the water. I took his advice and since then I seldom change out my carbon more than once a month.

 

[ricky5415]

Carbon also help remove some toxins /meds

 

[john.m.cole3]

I met an older gentleman in CA last year who owns a nice fish shop and maintains some pretty big expensive tanks in the Walnut Creek area. I was shopping for a carbon reactor and he asked me what for. I described my reef tank - mostly softies and LPS - and he said to go easy on the carbon as it could do too good a job of cleaning the water. I took his advice and since then I seldom change out my carbon more than once a month.

Oh cool, I had an assignment in pleasant hill and Martinez. Very nice there! Sorry off topic.

I tok my carbon and gfo off and my tank had never loozed better. Nitrates are 35 an po4 is .042. I quit chasing numbers and began to use the corals to tell me if they were in.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

I don't know about the nitrate level. Problem is that corals talk sooooo slowly....