What is your favorite reactor?

[ReefReadyOrNot]

Which reactor brand is the most popular? I haven't completely decided but I will likely run rox carbon and gfo at one point or another for my tank. I may also add another reactor to grow out chaeto.

There are so many brands and sizing though. I'm leaning towards Two Little Fishies phosban since many seem to use them but there is also the BRS.

I've narrow it down to Sicce, two little fishies phosban, brs, and bashsea pellet master reactor. Which do you like or dislike and why?

 

[mattgsa]

I really like the BRS, it works well. Just be care full, I was not watching it and it pulled nearly all the phosphates out the system. That's my fault, I should have been monitoring it.

 

[gcarroll]

Think different!
https://reefbuilders.com/2018/05/02/nyos-torq-media-reactor-is-all-about-that-base/

 

[WannaBSpaghetti]

Think different!
https://reefbuilders.com/2018/05/02/nyos-torq-media-reactor-is-all-about-that-base/

Now thats interesting. If I understand correctly - the idea is to have the base all hooked up but have the chambers be swappable for different media as needed or simply a dirty/clean quick change? Innovative - but I wonder if the ease of media changes/cleaning will justify the price, or how often the base will need maintainance. I'm sure time will tell.

 

[gcarroll]

Now thats interesting. If I understand correctly - the idea is to have the base all hooked up but have the chambers be swappable for different media as needed or simply a dirty/clean quick change? Innovative - but I wonder if the ease of media changes/cleaning will justify the price, or how often the base will need maintainance. I'm sure time will tell.

Well considering that carbon only effective about 1-2 weeks....
We in this hobby however find every excuse not to change media. Changing media is a PITA! I for one don't run media because I know full well that I won't change it!

 

[miPapareef]

I originally bought the BRS duel reactor. But it was way too big for my 75 gallon display tank. I downgraded to the BRS mini reactor and I really liked using that one for ROX carbon. One cup of carbon every two weeks is just about perfect for my tank. I bought a spare media cartridge so I can swap the media cartridge very quickly.

 

[skim]

If your tight for funds and don't mind a little elbow grease, you could pick up a used Canister filter cheap and use it. Same thing but also includes pump and you do not need a large unit. Example the old Fluval 103.

 

[jjam]

Im actually glad this came up. i have been looking to change my current media reactor a brs deluxe. It is just too big and i am currently only running a about a half cup of rox carbon and that is it. I was going to get the mini but they recommend running a it full which i do not need to do currently. Finding something that is not overly huge, fairly easy to change the media and can be run off a manifold seems to be not doable.

The closet I came up with

Aquamaxx FR-S - Have to modify to run off manifold
Avast Spyglass Small - Big
Ultra Reef Reactor - big


It seems like a lot of newer reactors are are going up flow

I have been reading and debating for the last two weeks and im still undecided

 

[Joe Grubbs]

Im actually glad this came up. i have been looking to change my current media reactor a brs deluxe. It is just too big and i am currently only running a about a half cup of rox carbon and that is it. I was going to get the mini but they recommend running a it full which i do not need to do currently. Finding something that is not overly huge, fairly easy to change the media and can be run off a manifold seems to be not doable.

I'm running a BRS Duo on my 250g system and a Mini on my 100g. I do not 'fill' the canisters with media as noted by others, that is not always necessary. I have purchased additional replacement filter sponges for the canisters and add a few of those to keep the Carbon from tumbling.

Example, I run one canister with a mix of Rox/GFO. Placing 2 sponges in the top, mixing and adding 1.5c ROX with 0.5c GFO, then finishing with 2 or 3 sponges on the bottom followed by the cap. Based on the PO4 tests I change this every 3-4 weeks. We feed heavily, generally, my PO4 runs 0.02 - 0.1 ppm. I also have a refug with chato assisting in nutrient export.

 

[jda]

I just use whatever cheap used ones I can get from people getting out of the hobby. They all are good and they all suck at the same time... and they all end up having fittings break. I just want them small enough to fit in the dishwasher in my fish room.