Reactor for Carbon/Chaeto/ROWA Phos

[kiwis]

I have a smaller sump but am going to put in a in-sump reactor for carbon.

My understanding is carbon doesn't need to run daily, normally you can run it for several days then remove it until needed again.

My issue or question is, I also have loose chaeto in my sump, in the same place as where my reactor will likely go.

Could I place my chaeto in my reactor and then when needed place my carbon in a filter bag and place it on top when needed?

I guess, I could add to the question, could you also added ROWA phos as well?

This may very well be subjective if it's good idea or bad, what I'm really keen to know is

1. Will this work as desired.
2. Is there any valid/confirmed reason this should not be done etc

 

[andrewey]

There are several reasons this likely won't do what you want, but honestly, the biggest reason not to do this is how much of a pain it's going to be to do. Forgetting the fact it's an extra tank chore, as some can be rewarding, opening up a reactor every few days in a sump just sounds awful. I would give it a try- opening it up under the stand then sealing it back up so it doesn't leak. I'm going to guess that if you were to do it 10 times in a row, you would quickly see that you'd rather have a permanent solution. Maybe it's just me, but honestly, I've always found opening and closing them without spilling everywhere and ensuring a tight seal in cramped conditions to be such a pain when I do it once a month or less- I can't imagine every few days.

 

[kiwis]

There are several reasons this likely won't do what you want, but honestly, the biggest reason not to do this is how much of a pain it's going to be to do. Forgetting the fact it's an extra tank chore, as some can be rewarding, opening up a reactor every few days in a sump just sounds awful. I would give it a try- opening it up under the stand then sealing it back up so it doesn't leak. I'm going to guess that if you were to do it 10 times in a row, you would quickly see that you'd rather have a permanent solution. Maybe it's just me, but honestly, I've always found opening and closing them without spilling everywhere and ensuring a tight seal in cramped conditions to be such a pain when I do it once a month or less- I can't imagine every few days.

Appreciate you're reply. You're saying no because it's a pain but will it work?

Why would I need to open it more often than I would otherwise do? What makes it different?

When I'm finished with carbon would you remove the reactor normally or just turn the pump off?

 

[andrewey]

Ah, maybe I misintrepeted your post- my apologies. Are you asking can you put your cheato in the reactor full time, then every so often put carbon in a bag on top of the cheato?

 

[kiwis]

t- my apologies. Are you asking can you put your cheato in the reactor full time, then every so often put carbon in a bag on top of the cheato?

Yeah! Exactly that.

But carbon and maybe ROWA phos

 

[kiwis]

Ah, maybe I misintrepeted your post- my apologies. Are you asking can you put your cheato in the reactor full time, then every so often put carbon in a bag on top of the cheato?

So is that a yes it should work or no?

 

[andrewey]

In theory, you're really asking can you make an algae reactor- the answer is yes . However, just understand there are some practical considerations that might not make it a great choice. First, the easiest part is that you'll have to put some mesh/grating on the outflow of the reactor (or use a sponge if it comes with it) to prevent the cheato from escaping. Second, you'll need to figure out how to light the cheato as the reactor lid will block light from above. Therefore, you would need to light it from the side. Assuming you can meet both of those requirements, then you can play around with it and fine tune your new algae reactor! Assuming you don't use too much carbon, it should be fine in a bag and won't compress the cheato too much.

If that doesn't work, if you're running any filter socks, have you thought about dropping your bag of carbon in the sock for a day or so and leaving the cheato where it was?

 

[kiwis]

In theory, you're really asking can you make an algae reactor- the answer is yes . However, just understand there are some practical considerations that might not make it a great choice. First, the easiest part is that you'll have to put some mesh/grating on the outflow of the reactor (or use a sponge if it comes with it) to prevent the cheato from escaping. Second, you'll need to figure out how to light the cheato as the reactor lid will block light from above. Therefore, you would need to light it from the side. Assuming you can meet both of those requirements, then you can play around with it and fine tune your new algae reactor! Assuming you don't use too much carbon, it should be fine in a bag and won't compress the cheato too much.

If that doesn't work, if you're running any filter socks, have you thought about dropping your bag of carbon in the sock for a day or so and leaving the cheato where it was?

I was under the impression that would either disturb the carbon too much causing it to eventually end up in my display tank and or be less effective. I could leave my Chaeto out and have it around my sump.

 

[andrewey]

The only real worry with carbon is that it's soft, hence why we don't want it to tumble which will causing it to break apart and enter the display (which is made all the worse when we tumble it with a harder material like GFO). Putting it in a filter sock is unlikely to tumble it or cause it to rub against itself, so it's a safe way to run the carbon. Obviously the downside to this technique is the organics that can accumulate on the bag and taking it out when you change filter socks, however it might be a better option for you.