Thoughts on Nextreef MR1 Reactor??

micielo719 · 06/15/2015, 11:35 AM

Hey guys.. Piecing all of my equipment together as my QT tanks begins to cycle and was wondering if anyone had any info on the Nextreef MR1 reactor. I am looking at possibly getting 2 of them 1 for GFO and the other for Carbon. I want to take all necessary precautions for algae blooms and phosphate issues and figured if I set the reactors up from the get go I could possibly avoid algae blooms and leaching phosphates. Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated. The reason I am looking at the MR1 is because the build quality seems to be greater than most.Plus it comes as a complete kit and I don't need to put much thought into which pump,etc. Also, which brand GFO/Carbon are you guys using in it?? Lastly just to confirm on the install, the pumps can go in the same chamber as the return pump and then the dump off goes into my skimmer section correct?? Thanks for all your help and info..

d2mini · 06/15/2015, 11:41 AM

I've recommended these reactors in the past. Good stuff.

I've always used HC GFO and Rox Carbon from BRS.

Your pump and return line can be placed anywhere in your sump.

But I wouldn't run GFO until after you are cycled. It should be a while before you would have any excess P04 from feeding your fish and such. Same with carbon... let it cycle first.

micielo719 · 06/15/2015, 11:48 AM

Cool... Thanks for the info.. I had done a lot of reading and since I will be using Marco Rock I figured even though I will be curing/cooking it in a tub for a month or so I should have the Reactors on hand just in case right after cycling I get hit with phosphates..

KingTriton1 · 06/15/2015, 12:50 PM

Nextreef MR1 is the only reactor I will ever use again. They are really that good.

micielo719 · 06/15/2015, 12:51 PM

Glad to hear KingTriton..

BlackTip · 06/15/2015, 12:58 PM

I have not used the reactor yet, but I have two of them still in the box waiting for my tank to be up and running. I did some research before I decided to buy, and they have very favorable reviews.

micielo719 · 06/15/2015, 02:44 PM

Another + for Nextreef.. Thanks Blacktip

moondoggy4 · 06/15/2015, 06:51 PM

I have the Next Reef Shorty works great I use if for spot filtering whenever I need it, hangs on the tank.

micielo719 · 06/16/2015, 07:38 AM

I'm wondering if I should go for 2 shorty or 2 MR1?? Is this something that should be running all the time or just when you have issues?? Do you guys think the shorty can handle - 120DT? Thanks

moondoggy4 · 06/16/2015, 07:29 PM

The thing about reactors are they are sometimes way bigger than the media that you put in them. I remember putting in my GFO and had about 70% of space left over.

I just put 1 3/4 of carbon in my Nextreef Shorty pretty much full, a little Polyfill on the bottom. The Shorty's have a bracket so you can hang the reactor on the side of the tank or sump, but you will need room for that.

I have D-D Rowahos GFO and they say not to rinse the media but put a wool type polyfill on top and bottom, so that will need a taller reactor.

06/15/2015, 11:35 AM	#1
micielo719 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 192	Thoughts on Nextreef MR1 Reactor?? Hey guys.. Piecing all of my equipment together as my QT tanks begins to cycle and was wondering if anyone had any info on the Nextreef MR1 reactor. I am looking at possibly getting 2 of them 1 for GFO and the other for Carbon. I want to take all necessary precautions for algae blooms and phosphate issues and figured if I set the reactors up from the get go I could possibly avoid algae blooms and leaching phosphates. Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated. The reason I am looking at the MR1 is because the build quality seems to be greater than most.Plus it comes as a complete kit and I don't need to put much thought into which pump,etc. Also, which brand GFO/Carbon are you guys using in it?? Lastly just to confirm on the install, the pumps can go in the same chamber as the return pump and then the dump off goes into my skimmer section correct?? Thanks for all your help and info..

06/15/2015, 11:41 AM	#2
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	I've recommended these reactors in the past. Good stuff. I've always used HC GFO and Rox Carbon from BRS. Your pump and return line can be placed anywhere in your sump. But I wouldn't run GFO until after you are cycled. It should be a while before you would have any excess P04 from feeding your fish and such. Same with carbon... let it cycle first. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

06/16/2015, 07:38 AM	#9
micielo719 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 192	I'm wondering if I should go for 2 shorty or 2 MR1?? Is this something that should be running all the time or just when you have issues?? Do you guys think the shorty can handle - 120DT? Thanks __________________ 120G Aqueon Dual Overflow / 40B sump / JNS CO-2 Skimmer / Tunze 3155 ATO / Eheim 1262 / Apex w/PH Lab / Dual Jäger 250w heaters / Reefbreeders Photon 48 / Spectrapure 90GPD RO/DI / Vortech MP40WQD / 2

06/15/2015, 11:48 AM	#3
micielo719 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 192	Cool... Thanks for the info.. I had done a lot of reading and since I will be using Marco Rock I figured even though I will be curing/cooking it in a tub for a month or so I should have the Reactors on hand just in case right after cycling I get hit with phosphates..

06/15/2015, 12:50 PM	#4
KingTriton1 Moved On Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 642	Nextreef MR1 is the only reactor I will ever use again. They are really that good.

06/15/2015, 12:51 PM	#5
micielo719 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 192	Glad to hear KingTriton..

06/15/2015, 12:58 PM	#6
BlackTip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1,598	I have not used the reactor yet, but I have two of them still in the box waiting for my tank to be up and running. I did some research before I decided to buy, and they have very favorable reviews.

06/15/2015, 02:44 PM	#7
micielo719 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 192	Another + for Nextreef.. Thanks Blacktip

06/15/2015, 06:51 PM	#8
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I have the Next Reef Shorty works great I use if for spot filtering whenever I need it, hangs on the tank.

06/16/2015, 07:29 PM	#10
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The thing about reactors are they are sometimes way bigger than the media that you put in them. I remember putting in my GFO and had about 70% of space left over. I just put 1 3/4 of carbon in my Nextreef Shorty pretty much full, a little Polyfill on the bottom. The Shorty's have a bracket so you can hang the reactor on the side of the tank or sump, but you will need room for that. I have D-D Rowahos GFO and they say not to rinse the media but put a wool type polyfill on top and bottom, so that will need a taller reactor.