Decided to convert back to Aquaforest from short Zeovit try. Started on NP Pro and Pro Bio S. Going to add Zeomix in my Reactor and also want to add some Life Bio Fil. Would it be best to add that with the Zeomix in the reactor or separate in a media bag in the sump??
With all medias, for the most part, you will have higher efficiency by forcing flow through medias. As far as I see it, this is not an absolute must though. I prefer using media bags in my setup, with carbon and zeomix running passive. As my setup also includes mangroves planted in Life Bio Fil, as a rooting media and bacteria homing, I would not need this forced flow scenario, the tank is LPS mixed reef, and nutrients do not need to be ULNS. That said, a few times per week I knead the carbon and zeomix bags, as to release anything built on outer surface, as well as to manipulate the medias surface area and capacity. Depending on your vision, and type of corals keeping, this will determine how you should employ products, methods, and technique. With SPS dominant reefs, most use a stack method, as
@SKYHIGGh has mentioned. I used this method after much communication with the AF team, years back before this method was adopted as a standard. I personally would keep Life Bio Fil separate, if used in a reactor, monitor flow as to not strip nutrients down too fast. Same applies to stacking method, you should see a slight normal tumble of Phosphate Minus, the 3rd media used in stack method, this typically determines flow rate. For this application, I found a Zeo reactor to be great, as the media basket detaches from the reactor, making media swaps easy, I did not use pulsing option in this application. Many AF users have used Life Bio Fil and Siporax, passively, in sump partition, where the media is in forced contact with natural flow through sump. Most I know, do not use socks, and have had massive micro build up on the meida's surface, allowing for even more filtration and bio diversity. Finally, none of this means a hoot if you do not have a good quality skimmer, set to dry, installed. This becomes key in bacteria being filtered out before dying and releasing nutrients back into the system, for this, I would highly recommend paying attention to the skimmer, also ensuring that the skimmate has darkened and become more pungent. Cheers :}
