Can a HOB filter be used in place of a reactor?

Squibege · 02/16/2016, 11:23 AM

I have an old HOB kicking around. Not sure if I want to use it for the QT tank (along with a heater and air stone) or if I want to run it in the sump with carbon/ other media if necessary. I figure the HOB is more effective than jut putting carbon in a stocking and plopping it in the sump, but if I need to add better flow/ a filter to my QT then maybe I should just save up for a real reactor rather than buying another HOB?

Any experience/ suggestions here?

username in use · 02/16/2016, 12:18 PM

A baggie of charcoal in a hang on back will work fine in the right setting. I see no inherent issue with using it on a quarantine or small display.

MondoBongo · 02/16/2016, 12:23 PM

i would eventually be eyeing a reactor. the HOB won't be as efficient at getting water flow past your media, but it should be better than just leaving a media bag sit in the sump or similar. kind of a middle ground.

i wouldn't be too concerned with using a reactor on a QT tank. the HOB should be just fine there. unless there is a specific need i'm missing.

bmrigs · 02/16/2016, 05:07 PM

I have 2 Aquaclear 70's running on my nano. One houses the foam block, 50 micron pad and phosguard, the other houses foam block, 50 micron pad, purigen and carbon. All the filtration I need.

Sk8r · 02/16/2016, 05:11 PM

It won't work as well for GFO as a reactor, because a GFO reactor wants a 'fluidized bed' but not to the point granules abrade each other to microdust. As a carbon bag container a hob would work fine.

BigCountry74 · 02/16/2016, 07:35 PM

on smaller tanks absolutely.

02/16/2016, 11:23 AM	#1
Squibege Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 157	Can a HOB filter be used in place of a reactor? I have an old HOB kicking around. Not sure if I want to use it for the QT tank (along with a heater and air stone) or if I want to run it in the sump with carbon/ other media if necessary. I figure the HOB is more effective than jut putting carbon in a stocking and plopping it in the sump, but if I need to add better flow/ a filter to my QT then maybe I should just save up for a real reactor rather than buying another HOB? Any experience/ suggestions here?

02/16/2016, 12:18 PM	#2
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	A baggie of charcoal in a hang on back will work fine in the right setting. I see no inherent issue with using it on a quarantine or small display. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

02/16/2016, 12:23 PM	#3
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	i would eventually be eyeing a reactor. the HOB won't be as efficient at getting water flow past your media, but it should be better than just leaving a media bag sit in the sump or similar. kind of a middle ground. i wouldn't be too concerned with using a reactor on a QT tank. the HOB should be just fine there. unless there is a specific need i'm missing. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

02/16/2016, 05:11 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	It won't work as well for GFO as a reactor, because a GFO reactor wants a 'fluidized bed' but not to the point granules abrade each other to microdust. As a carbon bag container a hob would work fine. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/16/2016, 07:35 PM	#6
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	on smaller tanks absolutely. __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

02/16/2016, 05:07 PM	#4
bmrigs Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 198	I have 2 Aquaclear 70's running on my nano. One houses the foam block, 50 micron pad and phosguard, the other houses foam block, 50 micron pad, purigen and carbon. All the filtration I need.