Fluidized Aquamaxx Reactor

juniorgomez708

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 21, 2021
Messages
97
Reaction score
50
Location
chicago
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I want to purchase the Aquamaxx reactor to run bio pellets on my 210 reef tank. Would this reactor work with bio pellets? Does anyone run that now?
My goal is to get my nitrates and phosphates down from 50ppm to 20-30ppm.
 
I can’t answer the specific question, but I can bump the thread to see if we can get you some help
 
I can’t answer the specific question, but I can bump the thread to see if we can get you some help
Thank you! I’m still trying to get some input on this media reactor. I would like to use it for biopellets and GFO since my phosphates are sitting at 1ppm and probably getting higher.
 
I use the biopellet specific aquamaxx reactor on my tank, worked great with reef octopus bio pearls, changed to brs ones and they're not working the same. Don't use a top plate at all, and I also added a sponge underneath the bottom because in this reactor there is a dead spot for water at the bottom where used pellet scum can collect and start turning grey and creating sulfer which isn't good. Make sure you have some kind of ball valve to control flow and try plumbing it with 3/4 tubing vs the 1/2 inch.

I had nitrates over 90ppm and phosphate around 3ppm at one point, make sure neither bottoms out and dose some kind of bacteria to help, I've used fritz 460 and microbacter7
 
I use the aquamaxx xl biopellet reactor and Amazon cheap pellets. They're all relatively the same polymer plastic. Only difference is shape and size.
Get a nice tumble effect and don't run it to high gph flow through. Also I direct my output to my skimmer water input.
D
 
I use the aquamaxx xl biopellet reactor and Amazon cheap pellets. They're all relatively the same polymer plastic. Only difference is shape and size.
Get a nice tumble effect and don't run it to high gph flow through. Also I direct my output to my skimmer water input.
D
Have you had issues with your skimmer constantly boiling over?

I originally did the same with my output but the amount of buildup of crap in my sump made me run my output into a hang on bracket with a filter sock next to my skimmer. Works great on keeping my sump cleaner but my skimmer basically runs with the most minute amount of airflow so it doesn't constantly boil over
 
No I haven't.
Only when I accidently would dump my skimate back into my sump trying to pry off the lid to empty and clean it.
I recently added a large skimate collector.
My skimmer is an aquavitro 500 division and has a sock nylon and is recirculating so the water intake pump sits separate from the air intake and recirculating pump.

I use the plastic screen on my biopellet reactor and it does need constant cleaning but ever since I added the slide.loc bolt kit it is a lot easier to access. Also a small tool is needed like a small Allen head wrench to get the screen out and off the rubber o ring it sits on.
D
 
I'm a big fan of biopellets and waterfall algae turf scrubbers.
 

Attachments

  • 20221013_122210.jpg
    20221013_122210.jpg
    328.8 KB · Views: 49
  • 20221013_122208.jpg
    20221013_122208.jpg
    270.9 KB · Views: 62
  • 20221013_122215.jpg
    20221013_122215.jpg
    255.7 KB · Views: 57
Sorry for the mess. I'm trying to pack and move lol
D
Your skimmer is much more above the water line than mine... I honestly probably just need to raise my skimmer but in my current slightly rigged sump I can't adjust the water level, nor can I raise my skimmer any higher, it's already on a stand. I'm getting a new tank and sump by the end of the year so hopefully that will fix my issue.
 
I use the biopellet specific aquamaxx reactor on my tank, worked great with reef octopus bio pearls, changed to brs ones and they're not working the same. Don't use a top plate at all, and I also added a sponge underneath the bottom because in this reactor there is a dead spot for water at the bottom where used pellet scum can collect and start turning grey and creating sulfer which isn't good. Make sure you have some kind of ball valve to control flow and try plumbing it with 3/4 tubing vs the 1/2 inch.

I had nitrates over 90ppm and phosphate around 3ppm at one point, make sure neither bottoms out and dose some kind of bacteria to help, I've used fritz 460 and microbacter7
Those parameters sound scary! As of right now, I have gfo in my Aquamaxx reactor. Going to see if in a couple of weeks my phosphates go below 1ppm. I also stopped feeding pellets. Going to stick with frozen to keep phosphate below 1ppm.
 
Once I get my phosphates below 1ppm, I will run some biopellets. I will dose some of that bacteria and see if i can get these nitrates down. I don’t think I’ve had nitrates below 40ppm in a looooong time.
 
Once I get my phosphates below 1ppm, I will run some biopellets. I will dose some of that bacteria and see if i can get these nitrates down. I don’t think I’ve had nitrates below 40ppm in a looooong time.
My tank is FOWLR, wouldn't recommend 3ppm phosphate in reef, it's now stable around 0.3ppm and nitrate around 30ppm but I haven't dosed bacteria in a while, which I should. To be honest if you have coral I think it'd be simpler to just dose some bacteria and nopox or reef biofuel to get your nitrates down. Once it's where you want it you can run Biopellets to keep it closer to those new levels or setup nopox on a doser. I also realized pellets contributed heavily to my phosphate but I still feed them, just also run Rowaphos once in a while, but again it's a FOWLR so no corals currently to suck up nutrients therefore you wouldn't have to be as agressive as someone like me.
 
Those parameters sound scary! As of right now, I have gfo in my Aquamaxx reactor. Going to see if in a couple of weeks my phosphates go below 1ppm. I also stopped feeding pellets. Going to stick with frozen to keep phosphate below 1ppm.
Having 1ppm phosphate is actually good because you need it to lower nitrate, I'd start some form or carbon dosing just don't overdo it because you can easily bottom out either if you're not careful.
 
Having 1ppm phosphate is actually good because you need it to lower nitrate, I'd start some form or carbon dosing just don't overdo it because you can easily bottom out either if you're not careful.
I will look into NOPOX. I really don’t know anything about it.
 
I will look into NOPOX. I really don’t know anything about it.
It's from red sea, it's a form of liquid carbon dosing. Alot of people use vinegar, vodka, or sugar but apparently red sea formulated this liquid carbon to be balanced, so with proper use it won't cause cyano issues etc.
Biopellets are a form of solid carbon dosing so both are essentially the same method to reduce nitrate and phosphate, just different ways to employ the process.
 
Is there a vodka you recommend…? Lol I have distilled white vinegar at home. Maybe I can mix both and dose everyday.
It's from red sea, it's a form of liquid carbon dosing. Alot of people use vinegar, vodka, or sugar but apparently red sea formulated this liquid carbon to be balanced, so with proper use it won't cause cyano issues etc.
Biopellets are a form of solid carbon dosing so both are essentially the same method to reduce nitrate and phosphate, just different ways to employ the process.
 
Is there a vodka you recommend…? Lol I have distilled white vinegar at home. Maybe I can mix both and dose everyday.
Personally I'd stay away from home products, I used to sugar dose in the beginning and it's very unpredictable, and isn't balanced. Please do some research and watch some YouTube videos on carbon dosing before starting, it's something you should understand well if you're going to implement it.
 
Personally I'd stay away from home products, I used to sugar dose in the beginning and it's very unpredictable, and isn't balanced. Please do some research and watch some YouTube videos on carbon dosing before starting, it's something you should understand well if you're going to implement it.
I think I’m going to just run bio pellets. I don’t see myself actively carbon dosing.
 
I want to purchase the Aquamaxx reactor to run bio pellets on my 210 reef tank. Would this reactor work with bio pellets? Does anyone run that now?
My goal is to get my nitrates and phosphates down from 50ppm to 20-30ppm.
Check out this video.the info about the reactor mentions that this is meant for bio pellets too but one YouTuber states that the holes on top are too big and the pellets can escape.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
Back
Top