Vertex Universal Media Reactor. What pump and media to use?

sneakerpimp · 12/12/2010, 01:59 PM

I'm getting a Vertex Universal Media Reactor and I can't decide on which media to use in it.

The de nitrate acts the same as live rock and a deep sand bed, providing a home for aerobic and anaerobic denitrifying bacteria.

Pro Bio Pellets Provide a food source to sustain a large population of beneficial Bacteria.

Would a maxijet 1200 be fine for this reactor? The de nitrate requires a flow rate of less than 50 gallons per hour.

sneakerpimp · 12/13/2010, 04:58 PM

Anyone? I can't find that much info on this reactor. I'm surprised not many people use it.

sneakerpimp · 10/09/2011, 10:24 PM

Bumping, because now I think more people will have this reactor.

jamesdawson · 10/09/2011, 10:36 PM

Go with the biopellets.

Maxijet should be fine.

Hagisan · 10/10/2011, 08:18 AM

You might not get enough tumble and may result in clumping of the pellets with the maxijet. I would suggest splitting it off the return pump with valve.

leeit2me · 10/10/2011, 11:03 AM

a maxijet will not make your BP tumble in that reactor. you better off looking for something bigger and plus you have valve to control the flow anyways. So, bigger pump wouldn't hurt it.

jamesdawson · 10/10/2011, 11:54 AM

Well, it all depends on how many biopellets you try. A Maxi 1200 will certainly fluidize 500ml of pellets and I would be suprised if it didn't work up to 1000ml or more. You should take out the foam as it restricts flow and instead use perforated screens with biopellets.

If you add a cone bottom to that reactor it will tumble the reactor filled up to 90% capacity. I use the cone-bottomed SWC UR120, which is about the same size as this Vertex and a Maxijet 600 fluidizes over 2 litres of biopellets.

sneakerpimp · 10/10/2011, 07:37 PM

I have the vertex uf-20. My tank has fallen into disrepair and nitrates are through the roof.

So which two media's should I use:

1.Bio pellets
2.De Nitrate
3.Carbon
4.RowaPhos

TJQ · 10/11/2011, 10:21 AM

I'm running two UF-20s that are fed by a Tunze Silence (792 GPH and can be dialed down) with 1000ml of Vertex Biopellets in each reactor, and it's probably overkill. I've read that once the level of bacteria increases on the biopellets it will be harder to prevent them from clumping, so increased flow will be needed.

One tip with the Vertex reactors: getting replacement unions is most likely going to be very difficult, so your best best is to plumb in your own standard unions (Spears for instance) that you could replace if needed in the future. If you're just going to install the barbs and use tubing, then it wouldn't be an issue.

12/12/2010, 01:59 PM	#1
sneakerpimp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 154	Vertex Universal Media Reactor. What pump and media to use? I'm getting a Vertex Universal Media Reactor and I can't decide on which media to use in it. The de nitrate acts the same as live rock and a deep sand bed, providing a home for aerobic and anaerobic denitrifying bacteria. Pro Bio Pellets Provide a food source to sustain a large population of beneficial Bacteria. Would a maxijet 1200 be fine for this reactor? The de nitrate requires a flow rate of less than 50 gallons per hour.

10/09/2011, 10:36 PM	#4
jamesdawson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I AM THE SEA Posts: 1,303	Go with the biopellets. Maxijet should be fine. __________________ Old Reefers Never Die, they just...join the crew! Current Tank Info: I'm expanding my reach

10/10/2011, 08:18 AM	#5
Hagisan Preparing to move on... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wilton, CA Posts: 697	You might not get enough tumble and may result in clumping of the pellets with the maxijet. I would suggest splitting it off the return pump with valve. __________________ - Bradley Moved On...

10/10/2011, 11:54 AM	#7
jamesdawson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I AM THE SEA Posts: 1,303	Well, it all depends on how many biopellets you try. A Maxi 1200 will certainly fluidize 500ml of pellets and I would be suprised if it didn't work up to 1000ml or more. You should take out the foam as it restricts flow and instead use perforated screens with biopellets. If you add a cone bottom to that reactor it will tumble the reactor filled up to 90% capacity. I use the cone-bottomed SWC UR120, which is about the same size as this Vertex and a Maxijet 600 fluidizes over 2 litres of biopellets. __________________ Old Reefers Never Die, they just...join the crew! Current Tank Info: I'm expanding my reach Last edited by jamesdawson; 10/10/2011 at 11:54 AM. Reason: typo

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12/13/2010, 04:58 PM	#2
sneakerpimp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 154	Anyone? I can't find that much info on this reactor. I'm surprised not many people use it.

10/09/2011, 10:24 PM	#3
sneakerpimp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 154	Bumping, because now I think more people will have this reactor.

10/10/2011, 11:03 AM	#6
leeit2me Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: bklyn,ny Posts: 241	a maxijet will not make your BP tumble in that reactor. you better off looking for something bigger and plus you have valve to control the flow anyways. So, bigger pump wouldn't hurt it.

10/10/2011, 07:37 PM	#8
sneakerpimp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 154	I have the vertex uf-20. My tank has fallen into disrepair and nitrates are through the roof. So which two media's should I use: 1.Bio pellets 2.De Nitrate 3.Carbon 4.RowaPhos

10/11/2011, 10:21 AM	#9
TJQ Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 116	I'm running two UF-20s that are fed by a Tunze Silence (792 GPH and can be dialed down) with 1000ml of Vertex Biopellets in each reactor, and it's probably overkill. I've read that once the level of bacteria increases on the biopellets it will be harder to prevent them from clumping, so increased flow will be needed. One tip with the Vertex reactors: getting replacement unions is most likely going to be very difficult, so your best best is to plumb in your own standard unions (Spears for instance) that you could replace if needed in the future. If you're just going to install the barbs and use tubing, then it wouldn't be an issue.