Phosban reactor

[Whysosalty]

Ok so someone please explain to me what a phosban reactor is, what it does, and why I need one in my tank.

 

[skiergd011013]

Ok so someone please explain to me what a phosban reactor is, what it does, and why I need one in my tank.

Its basically a tube that you can put whatever filter media you choose into it, and a pump pushes water straight upwards, through the media, and back into the tank. If you put "phosban" or g.f.o into it, it sucks up phosphates and silicates out of your water, hence preventing nuisance algae from being able to grow. I just got one, and was going to run gfo, but I changed my mind and am going to make a chaeto reactor out of it instead. its more natural, and can do no harm. With gfo, you have to flush it to waste first, before you let the outflow into your tank. Gfo has lost of dust in it. I also dont test for phosphates, so I dont want to run the tank too sterile by using gfo. You do not need one on your tank, but the benefits seem to outweigh the cons.

 

[Whysosalty]

Its basically a tube that you can put whatever filter media you choose into it, and a pump pushes water straight upwards, through the media, and back into the tank. If you put "phosban" or g.f.o into it, it sucks up phosphates and silicates out of your water, hence preventing nuisance algae from being able to grow. I just got one, and was going to run gfo, but I changed my mind and am going to make a chaeto reactor out of it instead. its more natural, and can do no harm. With gfo, you have to flush it to waste first, before you let the outflow into your tank. Gfo has lost of dust in it. I also dont test for phosphates, so I dont want to run the tank too sterile by using gfo. You do not need one on your tank, but the benefits seem to outweigh the cons.

Thanks for the response!! So explain to me the chaeto reactor. I want to run a refugium on my 60 gallon cube and I now macro algae is beneficial so what is the chaeto reactor?

 

[skiergd011013]

Thanks for the response!! So explain to me the chaeto reactor. I want to run a refugium on my 60 gallon cube and I now macro algae is beneficial so what is the chaeto reactor?

Its the same thing as the phosban reactor, except you put a ball of chaeto algae in there, and provide it a light source. Most people buy the spool of hydroponic leds off of amazon, wrap the reactor in it, and secure with zip ties. The chaeto grows very quickly in there, so once every few weeks, you just thin it out. As the chaeto grows, it is using up nitrates and phosphates out of your tank, and out-competing nuisance algae. I am setting mine up today. I will show you.

 

[Whysosalty]

Perfect!! That would be much appreciated thank you so much!

 

[skiergd011013]

Well, i ended up changing my mind and running GFO. This is my first time doing it, so time will tell.

 

[Whysosalty]

Well, i ended up changing my mind and running GFO. This is my first time doing it, so time will tell.

Could you still send me a pic of your setup? That would be super helpful so I can get a visual

 

[skiergd011013]

Could you still send me a pic of your setup? That would be super helpful so I can get a visual

here it is on the back of the tank.

The supply and return hoses

the pump. I tried to hide it a bit with a rock. If you get a pump, get one of the cobalt maxi jets, NOT the knockoff brand marineland maxi jets. I first had one of those and it rattled big time. The cobalts are much better.

 

[Pivitol]

Just an FYI about using a Phosban reactor for a cheato reactor.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-algae-reactor-warning.355450/

 

[skiergd011013]

Just an FYI about using a Phosban reactor for a cheato reactor.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-algae-reactor-warning.355450/

thanks. Im glad i went with gfo. This would have made me paranoid