Filter media query

[Carly Knight]

Hi.

So I'm going to be replacing the filter media in the back chamber of the tank I have.

I've been researching and people recommend a media reactor? Is this worth it for a 90 litre reef tank.

Also, regardless of whether I get a reactor - what filter media should I look for? I adopted the tank and the filter media was already there.. Just seems like 2 x bags with some kind of balls in it.

Thanks in advance. Sorry the Internet is a mine field when it comes to what to buy!

 

[Kris 2020]

How many chambers do you have in back?
when I had all in one type setups I typically would use a media rack in the first section and have the top be mechanical filtration so floss or filter pad, then on the other parts of the rack you can run media in a bag like GFO and/or carbon.
second section would be skimmer
third (if you have one) for refugium
and fourth for return pump.

there are countless ways to set up your filtration tho, it just depends on what space you have and what you want to run. Like if you were having problems with high phosphates, you might want a bag of GFO. If you were having trouble with nitrates you may want bioballs in a reactor, or macro algae in a refugium.

 

[Carly Knight]

Hey Kris.

Thanks for your response. Currently it's set up with protein skimmer in first chamber then the media bags (unsure exactly what's in them) then the 3rd is empty and 4th just has return pump.

I don't have issue with PH but I am trying to reduce nitrate. Its coming down with water changes but slowly.

I might set it up with the media rack as you mentioned as currently its just got a bag of something in there!

Thanks again.

May venture to buy a reactor a little later!

 

[MaxxuM]

As with most things in this hobby - goals, expectations, and opinions will vary widely. Media reactors are about efficiency and space. They do a lot with little space.

On my 5G nano I run floss, Purigen and Matrix and have zero readable phosphates and nitrates. I don't have to clean the front glass often and algae is well controlled. I feed pretty heavy for a tank of this size (frozen, pellets, amino's, and vitamins).

So, my first question, why are you considering a reactor? A media reactor may be overkill for just lowering nitrates. Reduced feeding, increased biological filtration, or just putting a small bag of media may take care of your issues without the need for another gadget. I attribute SeaChem's Matrix media for keeping my nitrates at unreadable levels. For $10 you could be good for a year. Not saying that a media reactor won't help. It will, but will it strip everything out and will you be reliant on it to keep a problem in check when other cheaper methods might do better for less.

 

[Cell]

I would say no to media reactor on a 25 gallon AIO. As suggested, a media rack would be sufficient and much easier to work with and maintain.

 

[Carly Knight]

As with most things in this hobby - goals, expectations, and opinions will vary widely. Media reactors are about efficiency and space. They do a lot with little space.

On my 5G nano I run floss, Purigen and Matrix and have zero readable phosphates and nitrates. I don't have to clean the front glass often and algae is well controlled. I feed pretty heavy for a tank of this size (frozen, pellets, amino's, and vitamins).

So, my first question, why are you considering a reactor? A media reactor may be overkill for just lowering nitrates. Reduced feeding, increased biological filtration, or just putting a small bag of media may take care of your issues without the need for another gadget. I attribute SeaChem's Matrix media for keeping my nitrates at unreadable levels. For $10 you could be good for a year. Not saying that a media reactor won't help. It will, but will it strip everything out and will you be reliant on it to keep a problem in check when other cheaper methods might do better for less.

Thanks for your response! Very helpful. The only reason I considered a reactor was after some internet searching on filter media I found out about a reactor.. That's the only reason! lol

I'm going to go ahead with the media rack. Also, I have a protein skimmer in the first chamber at the back of my tank - is it worth having the filter rack in the 1st chamber then then protein skimmer in the 2nd? Or can I put the rack in the 2nd... or does it not matter at all?! Ha, thanks for the help!

 

[Carly Knight]

I would say no to media reactor on a 25 gallon AIO. As suggested, a media rack would be sufficient and much easier to work with and maintain.

I think that's what I'm going to do!
thanks so much

 

[MaxxuM]

Always filter before skimming. Changing the floss and chemical filtration is a direct export before it further breaks down for the skimmer to deal with.

 

[Carly Knight]

Always filter before skimming. Changing the floss and chemical filtration is a direct export before it further breaks down for the skimmer to deal with.

Thank you I'm gonna swap them round this weekend!

 

[Bellasmith]

Any suggestion about filter media for 40 gal?