What’s your reaction? What would you put into a new media reactor?

[Peace River]

What’s your reaction? What would you put into a new media reactor?

Imagine with me that you just attended a Reef-a-Palooza or similar reef show and you won a media reactor in the raffle or maybe you were able to win one in an R2R giveaway. Let assume that you have a medium-sized mixed reef with a sump – what type of media would you use? Or may the question should be – what type of medias should you consider? Would you put it to the side and only use it when certain parameters need to be improved? Do you avoid media reactors? Would you start with carbon and then switch to GFO or Biopellets when there is a specific issue in your tank?

Photo by @Broadfield

 

[T-J]

I put both GFO and carbon in my reactor. Mixed all together and have it on a light tumble.

 

[SPS2020]

What would you put into a new media reactor?

New media!

 

[SPS2020]

I put both GFO and carbon in my reactor. Mixed all together and have it on a light tumble.

My understanding was that carbon will break down into fines when tumbled with gfo. Not sure that is an issue or not.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

At this point my tank, knock on wood, is doing fine with a refuge and skimmer. I would not add a reactor.

 

[feresadas]

I put both GFO and carbon in my reactor. Mixed all together and have it on a light tumble.

You really shouldn't have carbon tumbling, especially with GFO which is much harder than it, which will grind the carbon to a powder adding it to your water column.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

You really shouldn't have carbon tumbling, especially with GFO which is much harder than it, which will grind the carbon to a powder adding it to your water column.

This, you dont want that tumbling, it will get into the water column and will pack up your filtration.

 

[Aspect]

Using a large reactor filled with Seachem Matrix.

 

[jasonrusso]

It kind of depends on what else I have in the system. If I only have one reactor, then carbon. If I already have carbon, then I'd add GFO.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Using a large reactor filled with Seachem Matrix.

Have you been able to quantify the results? Or it simply works good for you? I have a large container of it so I was wondering about your results?

 

[T-J]

This, you dont want that tumbling, it will get into the water column and will pack up your filtration.

Never had an issue. I use ROX carbon.

 

[acesfull44]

Carbon, Biopellets and the Occasional GFO

 

[Dburr1014]

Skimmer and refuge.
I hope to never add a media reactor.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Skimmer and refuge.
I hope to never add a media reactor.

Been using them for carbon, kinda liking it over the bag in the sump, more efficient on larger tanks IMHO.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Never had an issue. I use ROX carbon.

Good to know, never used rox. Too cheap, lol.

 

[Bricky]

What about a Cryptic fuge?

 

[bakbay]

I voted for "None". I have now 3 media reactors sitting in the garage collecting dusts. For me, it's too much of a PITA to replace the media (turn it off, remove reactor from the sump and not spill, refill, etc). I've been using cheap, disposable nylon bags in a high-flow area. No more GFO either, just carbon (sometimes).

 

[schooncw]

Using a large reactor filled with Seachem Matrix.

or DeNitrate

 

[I never finish anythi]

I have 1 reactor running bio pellets. I just put carbon / rowaphos in a media bag in the sump when needed. Easy life

 

[exnisstech]

I voted other because it depends on if your tank even needs a media reactor. If so then why would be the media I would run.