2 reactors or 1

byrdman81 · 04/08/2009, 06:46 PM

Well i have gotten mixed answers on this in other places and people i have talked to. I have two little fishes reactors that i wanna use on my tank. ONe for carbon and other for phosphate removal. Should i use them both and just tie them both into one pump or should i just use one and separate the two diff medias with a sponge. I have been told both so im not for sure. IF i use the two what pump should i use?

ravedood · 04/08/2009, 08:30 PM

IMO I would use both reactors. One for GFO and one for carbon. This way its easier to change the media when needed. I have heard of people hooking them up in series with one pump. You can also use 2 pumps but I guess that would add more heat to the water. You dont need a strong pump. I think a pump that is rated for about 150GPH should be fine. I have mine on a Maxi-jet 404. The reactors should have valves on the input side so you can regulate the input. You dont want the media moving all over the place because that will create a lot of dust. All you need is just a little tumble of media on the surface.

jlinzmaier · 04/08/2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ravedood
IMO I would use both reactors. One for GFO and one for carbon. This way its easier to change the media when needed. I have heard of people hooking them up in series with one pump. You can also use 2 pumps but I guess that would add more heat to the water. You dont need a strong pump. I think a pump that is rated for about 150GPH should be fine. I have mine on a Maxi-jet 404. The reactors should have valves on the input side so you can regulate the input. You dont want the media moving all over the place because that will create a lot of dust. All you need is just a little tumble of media on the surface.

+1

Carbon is usually changed regularly on a monthly basis. Depending on your po4 levels, your GFO may last much longer. Much less hassel to have them in separate reactors.

Jeremy

greennd79 · 04/09/2009, 01:10 PM

bulk reef supply carrys the dual chamber reactor i have one and run carbon and gfo and love it. Its easy to change out the media too.

byrdman81 · 04/09/2009, 01:51 PM

I think i will go with the two separate reactors. So when i use them the output from one reactor goes into the input of the other or do i just tee off from the pump into each individual inputs?

airdog67 · 04/10/2009, 01:21 AM

I use two reactors, two little fish brands. I hooked them up with one 50 gph pump, and it works great. Run the carbon first and then the pos. If any po4 is leached from carbon it will pass through the pos reactor and hopefully be removed. JMO

byrdman81 · 04/10/2009, 04:00 AM

how did you all hook two up?

saltwatermadnes · 04/10/2009, 12:27 PM

Bulk Reef Supply has a dual reactor which is the same thing you're talking about but its already connected and it connects easily to any maxi jet.. its only $60 which is what you'll be spending on 2 TLF reactor anyways. I love mine its a snap to use. Check it out just saying there are other options..

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Carbon...duct_info.html

mclaman · 04/10/2009, 01:16 PM

I've tried a few and BRS's are the best by far.

04/08/2009, 06:46 PM	#1
byrdman81 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 543	2 reactors or 1 Well i have gotten mixed answers on this in other places and people i have talked to. I have two little fishes reactors that i wanna use on my tank. ONe for carbon and other for phosphate removal. Should i use them both and just tie them both into one pump or should i just use one and separate the two diff medias with a sponge. I have been told both so im not for sure. IF i use the two what pump should i use?

04/08/2009, 08:30 PM	#2
ravedood Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL Posts: 1,540	IMO I would use both reactors. One for GFO and one for carbon. This way its easier to change the media when needed. I have heard of people hooking them up in series with one pump. You can also use 2 pumps but I guess that would add more heat to the water. You dont need a strong pump. I think a pump that is rated for about 150GPH should be fine. I have mine on a Maxi-jet 404. The reactors should have valves on the input side so you can regulate the input. You dont want the media moving all over the place because that will create a lot of dust. All you need is just a little tumble of media on the surface. __________________ Florida Marine Aquarium Society Member --Ben

04/09/2009, 01:51 PM	#5
byrdman81 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 543	I think i will go with the two separate reactors. So when i use them the output from one reactor goes into the input of the other or do i just tee off from the pump into each individual inputs? __________________ Working on 20L setup. Drilled bottom center custom overflow,Tunze 9002 skimmer, mag 5 return. Custom built cabinet to match the kitchen cabinets. AI led lighting Current Tank Info: 20 long nano currently working on 40 Breeder

04/10/2009, 04:00 AM	#7
byrdman81 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 543	how did you all hook two up? __________________ Working on 20L setup. Drilled bottom center custom overflow,Tunze 9002 skimmer, mag 5 return. Custom built cabinet to match the kitchen cabinets. AI led lighting Current Tank Info: 20 long nano currently working on 40 Breeder

04/09/2009, 01:10 PM	#4
greennd79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: crestwood il Posts: 449	bulk reef supply carrys the dual chamber reactor i have one and run carbon and gfo and love it. Its easy to change out the media too.

04/10/2009, 01:21 AM	#6
airdog67 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Earth, I think Posts: 234	I use two reactors, two little fish brands. I hooked them up with one 50 gph pump, and it works great. Run the carbon first and then the pos. If any po4 is leached from carbon it will pass through the pos reactor and hopefully be removed. JMO

04/10/2009, 12:27 PM	#8
saltwatermadnes Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 115	Bulk Reef Supply has a dual reactor which is the same thing you're talking about but its already connected and it connects easily to any maxi jet.. its only $60 which is what you'll be spending on 2 TLF reactor anyways. I love mine its a snap to use. Check it out just saying there are other options.. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Carbon...duct_info.html

04/10/2009, 01:16 PM	#9
mclaman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 587	I've tried a few and BRS's are the best by far.