Recommend me some media reactors

ianf77 · Jan 22, 2015

As the title suggests....

Experiences of your equipment you have?

maroun.c · Jan 22, 2015

Vertex makes some nice ones, I'm fine with a couple of Reef octopus I'm running as well.

d2mini · Jan 22, 2015

I liked my NextReef MR1.

Way better quality than TLF and easier to use with much better fluidization than BRS.

MRRBW · Jan 22, 2015

I agree with d2mini - NextReef MR1 - only negative about MR1 is that to avoid spillage, I found it better to add ball valve quick disconnects so that I could disconnect the plumbing from the MR1 and then open the lid over the sink. If you open it in place, the water line is very close to the ledge and makes it difficult to walk it to the sink without spilling. But that's a simple addition that just makes life easier - the MR1 other than that is A1

gtbarsi · Jan 22, 2015

I like the BRS single, once you out grow that I really like the Avast MRXX reactors. Primarily because you can get them as a build kit and customize them, Avast is happy to help you do so as well.

wangspeed · Jan 22, 2015

I will probably be the exception to the rule, but I like the Reef Octopus reactors, because they don't have a tube in the middle, which means I can just throw in a bag of carbon, and take it out without a big fuss. Cleaning out reactors sucks!

tigerdragon · Jan 22, 2015

If looking for bio pellet reactor I suggest the Hydra Fluidized Reactor can get from marine depot

revhtree · Jan 22, 2015

I have really liked my AvastMarine reactor.

ianf77 · Jan 22, 2015

Got 2 MR -1 's on their way...

wangspeed · Jan 22, 2015

tigerdragon said:
If looking for bio pellet reactor I suggest the Hydra Fluidized Reactor can get from marine depot

I would disagree. Biopellets should be run in a recirculating reactor, like Reef Dynamics, or Avast's new recirculating reactor addition.

gtbarsi · Jan 22, 2015

wangspeed said:
I would disagree. Biopellets should be run in a recirculating reactor, like Reef Dynamics, or Avast's new recirculating reactor addition.

+1 For recirculating reactors for Bio Pellets
+1 for the Reef Dynamics

I like Avast but can not comment to n their re-circulating add on

justindinh24 · Jan 22, 2015

d2mini said:
I liked my NextReef MR1.

Way better quality than TLF and easier to use with much better fluidization than BRS.

.
Same here and it works perefecto

tonymission · Jan 22, 2015

I like the next reef reactors for filter media. Feeding mine off a manifold... Wish I wouldn't have spent the extra money then to get them with a pump

ianf77 · Jan 22, 2015

As above.... Ended going for next reef MR-1 x2..... Will be fed off a return manifold just for carbon and GFO

Sangheili · Jan 23, 2015

Avast. Easiest to open and work with.

Maximus · Jan 23, 2015

Anyone using the Reef Octopus media reactor? I prefer a twist off top but I'm open to anything that is easy to change out the media. I had an MR-1 but hated taking off all the nylon screws! I broke it on accident and bought a large TLF reactor. I dislike the TLF reactor because the pump is attached to the body and I don't like unplugging the pump and taking the pump out of the sump to change out the media. I'm intrigued with the Avast reactor. At least there's only 4 screws you have to loosen versus 100 on the MR-1! Can you guys tell me why you like the Avast so much? Thanks!

gtbarsi · Jan 24, 2015

Reasons I like Avast:
Excellent Build quality
Solid Reactor design
[FONT=Lucida Grande, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Standard NPT threaded fittings, so if you want to use a different fitting you can use any NPT fitting you want. [/FONT]
[FONT=Lucida Grande, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]At least 1 quick-disconnect union on the plumbing hookups.[/FONT]
3 size options from 1.5L to 6L
You build kit option
The willingness of Avast personnel to assist in creating customized reactors
Price

*Note about the quick disconnect union. With that you can remove the reactor from the water feed, tip it to gravity drain some or all of the water from the reactor body and then bring it to where you want to do your media change. From there it is 1/2 turn of each thumb screw and rotate the top and it is open with 100% access to the chamber.

wangspeed · Jan 24, 2015

Maximus said:
Anyone using the Reef Octopus media reactor? I prefer a twist off top but I'm open to anything that is easy to change out the media. I had an MR-1 but hated taking off all the nylon screws! I broke it on accident and bought a large TLF reactor. I dislike the TLF reactor because the pump is attached to the body and I don't like unplugging the pump and taking the pump out of the sump to change out the media. I'm intrigued with the Avast reactor. At least there's only 4 screws you have to loosen versus 100 on the MR-1! Can you guys tell me why you like the Avast so much? Thanks!

Yes, I'm using the RO media reactor. It's pretty good. The opening is a bit small though, but I keep my media bagged, and I don't use a lot, so it is easy for me to get in and out. I just saw an Innovative Marine reactor today though, and the big one is very nice! It has an internal chamber that you lift out. No mess in the aquarium, and no removing the reactor. I think it's a great design.

Fin · Jan 24, 2015

I use Next Reef reactors. The screws aren't that big of a deal. They are very well made and don't leak.

The only thing I have from Avast is one of their waste collectors. I am not too impressed with it. The top only has two wing nuts and an o-ring to keep all that gunk in the container. When you tighten the nuts, the top bows so badly, even with minimal torque on the nuts, that it leaves a visible gap. The pressure switch also does not always work, so I have already had overflows in my stand because it won't reliably turn off the skimmer when it is supposed to. Since this is so poorly designed, I doubt I will order anything else from them. Not replying to me when I made them aware of my problem did not help.

Sangheili · Jan 25, 2015

Fin said:
I use Next Reef reactors. The screws aren't that big of a deal. They are very well made and don't leak.

The only thing I have from Avast is one of their waste collectors. I am not too impressed with it. The top only has two wing nuts and an o-ring to keep all that gunk in the container. When you tighten the nuts, the top bows so badly, even with minimal torque on the nuts, that it leaves a visible gap. The pressure switch also does not always work, so I have already had overflows in my stand because it won't reliably turn off the skimmer when it is supposed to. Since this is so poorly designed, I doubt I will order anything else from them. Not replying to me when I made them aware of my problem did not help.

I'll have to keep an eye on this. How far in are you putting the sensor tube for the shutoff? Mine is about half way in.

Mine has filled twice so far (only had it installed a week or two) and the shutoff worked perfectly. Zero spills.