Reef Octopus Chaeto Reactor Assistance Needed

[rob taft]

First post but one has to start sometime. I was in the SW hobby back in the mid 80's (fish only) but had my first SW tank in the mid 60's (I lived on the ocean and used seawater, steel framed tank, sponge filters and recycled livestock weekly). Gave up the hobby in the 80's after a career change made for lots of travel. Since retired and decided to start up a SW tank. Anyway, a lot has changed and one of the things that is new to me is Chaeto Reactors. I recently purchased a Reef Octopus 150 light Chaeto Reactor and am trying to determine how to set this up for an out of sump setup.

The included manual and I use that word loosely shows a picture of the unit with a union on the pump output side. That isn't included in my unit nor is it shown on the parts list. (see picture below). There are two slip fit 1/2 hose barb fittings although they are described as "threaded fittings in the parts list. There are no threads on the unit of the fittings. By the way the picture on Aquacaves and Saltwater Aquarium's website website shows a union on both inlet and outlet of the unit and a union on the pump but only a sincle union on the top of the unit is included.

There are also two fittings that look like a 1/2" slip fitting reducer that reduces down to 20mm male. Those are not shown on the parts list nor pictures I have seen. I'm guessing these are used for 1/2" PVC to 3/4" ? tubing. If anyone has this unit, I'd appreciate info on how they hooked this up so that one can remove the unit to clean e.g. without any union on the pump side one would have to remove the pump, cord etc and break the hose fitting. Any help would be appreciated.

Reef Octopus LR-150 Algae Reactor

Reef Octopus LR-150 Algae Reactor The Reef Octopus Algae Reactor is a natural filter which utilizes macroalgae like Chaetomorpha to absorb and remove algae-producing nutrients from your aquarium's water. As macro algae grows, it will consume nutrients in the water. Once you harvest the macro...

www.aquacave.com

 

[Peace River]

First, welcome to R2R! Let’s see if we can get some help on your #reefoctopus reactor...

@CoralVue @Jeff@CoralVue

 

[CoralVue_Marketing]

First post but one has to start sometime. I was in the SW hobby back in the mid 80's (fish only) but had my first SW tank in the mid 60's (I lived on the ocean and used seawater, steel framed tank, sponge filters and recycled livestock weekly). Gave up the hobby in the 80's after a career change made for lots of travel. Since retired and decided to start up a SW tank. Anyway, a lot has changed and one of the things that is new to me is Chaeto Reactors. I recently purchased a Reef Octopus 150 light Chaeto Reactor and am trying to determine how to set this up for an out of sump setup.

The included manual and I use that word loosely shows a picture of the unit with a union on the pump output side. That isn't included in my unit nor is it shown on the parts list. (see picture below). There are two slip fit 1/2 hose barb fittings although they are described as "threaded fittings in the parts list. There are no threads on the unit of the fittings. By the way the picture on Aquacaves and Saltwater Aquarium's website website shows a union on both inlet and outlet of the unit and a union on the pump but only a sincle union on the top of the unit is included.

There are also two fittings that look like a 1/2" slip fitting reducer that reduces down to 20mm male. Those are not shown on the parts list nor pictures I have seen. I'm guessing these are used for 1/2" PVC to 3/4" ? tubing. If anyone has this unit, I'd appreciate info on how they hooked this up so that one can remove the unit to clean e.g. without any union on the pump side one would have to remove the pump, cord etc and break the hose fitting. Any help would be appreciated.

Reef Octopus LR-150 Algae Reactor

Reef Octopus LR-150 Algae Reactor The Reef Octopus Algae Reactor is a natural filter which utilizes macroalgae like Chaetomorpha to absorb and remove algae-producing nutrients from your aquarium's water. As macro algae grows, it will consume nutrients in the water. Once you harvest the macro...

www.aquacave.com

I know @shred5 and @ReefNewsNetwork are running them, perhaps they can chime in on how they set theirs up. I also pinged my colleague @Jeremy@CoralVue since he's running one at home (I may just reply on his behalf as I contacted him by email). Here is a video that covers installation and what it does and doesn't include:


You are welcome to contact our support team directly at [email protected] if you'd like although I imagine I'll hear back from Jeremy soon with some guidance since he's been running the Light Reactor longer than most.

 

[Jeremy@CoralVue]

I have mine plumbed with flexible tubing from and to the reactor using the included hose barbs. You can also directly plumb them with PVC as well if you choose.

 

[shred5]

First post but one has to start sometime. I was in the SW hobby back in the mid 80's (fish only) but had my first SW tank in the mid 60's (I lived on the ocean and used seawater, steel framed tank, sponge filters and recycled livestock weekly). Gave up the hobby in the 80's after a career change made for lots of travel. Since retired and decided to start up a SW tank. Anyway, a lot has changed and one of the things that is new to me is Chaeto Reactors. I recently purchased a Reef Octopus 150 light Chaeto Reactor and am trying to determine how to set this up for an out of sump setup.

The included manual and I use that word loosely shows a picture of the unit with a union on the pump output side. That isn't included in my unit nor is it shown on the parts list. (see picture below). There are two slip fit 1/2 hose barb fittings although they are described as "threaded fittings in the parts list. There are no threads on the unit of the fittings. By the way the picture on Aquacaves and Saltwater Aquarium's website website shows a union on both inlet and outlet of the unit and a union on the pump but only a sincle union on the top of the unit is included.

There are also two fittings that look like a 1/2" slip fitting reducer that reduces down to 20mm male. Those are not shown on the parts list nor pictures I have seen. I'm guessing these are used for 1/2" PVC to 3/4" ? tubing. If anyone has this unit, I'd appreciate info on how they hooked this up so that one can remove the unit to clean e.g. without any union on the pump side one would have to remove the pump, cord etc and break the hose fitting. Any help would be appreciated.

Reef Octopus LR-150 Algae Reactor

Reef Octopus LR-150 Algae Reactor The Reef Octopus Algae Reactor is a natural filter which utilizes macroalgae like Chaetomorpha to absorb and remove algae-producing nutrients from your aquarium's water. As macro algae grows, it will consume nutrients in the water. Once you harvest the macro...

www.aquacave.com

I would have to look at mine when I get home to be absolutly sure: I believe there are 4 fitting with the unit:
From Coralvue site :
Input Fittings: 5/8in barb / 1/2in PVC
Output Fittings: 3/4in barb / 1/2in PVC

It is a little confusing because that is not 5/8 barb to 1/2" PVC it is two fittings.. It should have a "&" instead of a "/" for input. It would be 5/8" barb fitting and 1/2" slip fitting..

Output would be 3/4" fitting and a 1/2" slip fitting..


I think the fitting on the actual reactor are metric. So two slip fittings are actually adapters so the reactor can be used with normal 1/2" PVC.

The other two are to you can run barb fittings.


A thread on mine can be found here:

New Reef Octopus Light\Macro Algae Reactor

I have been wanting to try a Chaetomorpha reactor for a while and recently got the RO Light Reactor. I have been running a refugium with Chaetomorpha and it has become a mess. It really is just a detritus trap and the detritus settles on the bottom of the fuge. It is really hard to clean or...

www.reef2reef.com

I used 1/2" PVC slip on the output..
I used silicon tubing on the input:

 

[CoralVue_Marketing]

I have mine plumbed with flexible tubing from and to the reactor using the included hose barbs. You can also directly plumb them with PVC as well if you choose.

I would have to look at mine when I get home to be absolutly sure: I believe there are 4 fitting with the unit:
From Coralvue site :
Input Fittings: 5/8in barb / 1/2in PVC
Output Fittings: 3/4in barb / 1/2in PVC


I think the fitting on the actual reactor are metric. So two slip fittings are actually adapters so the reactor can be used with normal 1/2" PVC.

The other two are to you can run barb fittings.


A thread on mine can be found here:

New Reef Octopus Light\Macro Algae Reactor

I have been wanting to try a Chaetomorpha reactor for a while and recently got the RO Light Reactor. I have been running a refugium with Chaetomorpha and it has become a mess. It really is just a detritus trap and the detritus settles on the bottom of the fuge. It is really hard to clean or...

www.reef2reef.com

I used 1/2" PVC slip on the output..
I used silicon tubing on the input:

Thank you both!

 

[rob taft]

First off thank you all for responding. A special thanks to Peace River for assistance in getting an answer. My confusion came about because the manual which is basically an exploded parts list doesn't list or show the 20MM to 1/2" slip fittings, it lists the slip fit to 1/2 hose barbs as "threaded" fittings but there the unit doesn't have threaded fittings and the fact that the picture on the face of the manual as does the websites shown on my OP clearly show the pump with a union on the pump that is so close to the pump body that it looks like the one on the top of the canister i.e. Integral to the pump.

I did check out Coral Vue's website and video prior to ordering but the video doesn't show the pump attachment. I did also see the thread by Shred5 (in fact it pushed me over the edge to purchase) but didn't know if that was an alternate connection i.e. different from the picture.

As I'm using the pump dry i.e. not in a sump, I'll have to rig up a way to remove the unit without hauling the pump and intake tubing. A pump fitting similar to what is shown in the pictures would have been a nice addition considering the cost of the unit.

Again, I appreciate the help provided. rob

 

[CoralVue_Marketing]

First off thank you all for responding. A special thanks to Peace River for assistance in getting an answer. My confusion came about because the manual which is basically an exploded parts list doesn't list or show the 20MM to 1/2" slip fittings, it lists the slip fit to 1/2 hose barbs as "threaded" fittings but there the unit doesn't have threaded fittings and the fact that the picture on the face of the manual as does the websites shown on my OP clearly show the pump with a union on the pump that is so close to the pump body that it looks like the one on the top of the canister i.e. Integral to the pump.

I did check out Coral Vue's website and video prior to ordering but the video doesn't show the pump attachment. I did also see the thread by Shred5 (in fact it pushed me over the edge to purchase) but didn't know if that was an alternate connection i.e. different from the picture.

As I'm using the pump dry i.e. not in a sump, I'll have to rig up a way to remove the unit without hauling the pump and intake tubing. A pump fitting similar to what is shown in the pictures would have been a nice addition considering the cost of the unit.

Again, I appreciate the help provided. rob

Hi Rob,

We can send you what you need to get going. Just email us at [email protected] and let them know the parts you need and we'll send them to you directly at no cost. You are welcome to mention that you already talked to Jeff at CoralVue or even link to this thread so they have some context. Just be sure to explicitly tell them which parts you need. Welcome back to the hobby! I look forward to seeing your new reactor up and running soon.

Jeff @ CoralVue

 

[rob taft]

Jeff, Thanks for the offer, I ordered the parts necessary so I won't take you up on your generous offer but I would recommend that the manual/website be revised to correct the discrepancies e.g. the pump pictured on the manual shows a union that is intregral to the pump but the pump I received has 1/2" threaded female. I attempted to find the manual before purchasing and it wasn't on either your website or the sellers of the unit. That said, it looks like a quality product. Thanks again rob

 

[CoralVue_Marketing]

Jeff, Thanks for the offer, I ordered the parts necessary so I won't take you up on your generous offer but I would recommend that the manual/website be revised to correct the discrepancies e.g. the pump pictured on the manual shows a union that is intregral to the pump but the pump I received has 1/2" threaded female. I attempted to find the manual before purchasing and it wasn't on either your website or the sellers of the unit. That said, it looks like a quality product. Thanks again rob

Thank you for the advice. I let the team know! ;Shamefullyembarrased

 

[CoralNerd]

@shred5
Thanks for your post.
On the input, where can I buy red silicone tubing like yours? I'm looking for 5/8" tubing correct?

 

[shred5]

With silicon tubing you probably want to go a little smaller ID with plastic ratchet hose clamps.
Silicone stretches pretty well.. Way easier than vinyl.

I think mine was 12 mm 15/32 red vacuum silicon tubing for cars. I bought a bunch years ago for a build.
Like this:

12mm 15/32" Red Vacuum Silicone Hose Racing Line Pipe Tube 1 Foot 0.3 Meter | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 12mm 15/32" Red Vacuum Silicone Hose Racing Line Pipe Tube 1 Foot 0.3 Meter at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

13mm or 1/2 inch might be better if you can find it.