Good Phosphate reactor?
- Thread starter Waffo
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ReefMadScientist
Valuable Member
For my tank Im using this with the ROX .8 and High Capacity GFO.
bayoupr
Active Member
I use the AquaMaxx small media reactor. I had problems with the BRS one using GFO, carbon worked OK. Not sure why it this one reactor but the water level would drop down creating an air gap which was messing up my GFO tumbling (flow was the same through the unit). Could have been a bad seat of the rubber gasket but I never could get it to stop.
ilovereefing <3
Active Member
+1 on the BRS dual reactor. I have only had a problem with it not filling up completely, and with a quick "burping", it works beautifully.
ReefMadScientist
Valuable Member
My only issue has been the reactors getting dirty within a month. Once that happens the flow drops dramatically and my GFO almost stops tumbling. I guess its better to go with standard GFO and not the high capacity because you have to replace it after 6 weeks anyways due to the reactor getting dirty.
ilovereefing <3
Active Member
Do you run a sponge over the pump intake? Mine has been running for about 7 months, and I've only had a problem with it once. I run a sponge over the filter intake, and it gets cleaned weekly. Keeps the reactor much cleaner. I only use the regular GFO though, not the high capacity. I figured that if I am going to have to change it out every month anyway, might as well get the cheaper stuff. Lol! I also run filter socks in my sump to keep the bigger particles from getting in there too.
ReefMadScientist
Valuable Member
Good idea...my pump did not come with a sponge...
ilovereefing <3
Active Member
Mine too, I had to buy it separate. Just find the one that fits your pump. On the other hand, you could probably do a DIY one much cheaper...it just wouldn't "look" as clean as a pre-fab. Who looks in the sump anyway? LOL!
bayoupr
Active Member
My tank is 120g.
ilovereefing <3
Active Member
You aren't necessarily going to have a problem with any reactor you buy. One thing that I think most reactors have in common is that, should the pump that takes water from your sump and brings it into the reactor suck up larger detritus, the reactors can get clogged quickly which in turn lowers the performance of the GFO. The clogging of the reactor slows flow into the GFO (which must tumble gently at all times), and can cause the GFO to harden and not work well. By placing a prefilter (sponge) on the pump that brings the water in, it lessens the chances of a clog. I have had a prefilter on mine since day 1, and I have not seen a clog yet.
Myka
Valuable Member
I like the good old TLF Phosban reactors for GFO. You can put the GFO into the reactor unrinsed and then collect the first couple liters that comes out of the hose when you hook it back up to rinse it super easy. FWIW, I don't like the Minimax reactors for GFO because they don't have the ability to rinse the GFO for you. No matter how much I rinse the GFO before putting it into the Minimax it always runs orange/brown water at first. I find the BRS and similar style reactors to clog up too quickly.
bayoupr
Active Member
DITTO- This is what I do with my AquaMaxx GFO & Carbon Filter Media Reactor.
cperry7467
Active Member
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I run the BRS mini in my 55 with a carbon/gfo mix and it does a fantastic job. Thumbs up for any of the BRS reactors.
Myka
Valuable Member
I run an aquarium maintenance company. My own tank doesn't have any measurable phosphate and I don't use GFO on it at all. Some of my clients' tanks need some hefty GFO use, but yeah pretty much any reactor will keep phosphate low or undetectable if it's running properly and you've changed the media often enough.
ilovereefing <3
Active Member
My last check on Monday was at 0 ppb, but it does creep up a bit as the GFO is expended.
