PhosBan Reactor Setup

Guzzetta · 04/23/2009, 09:50 PM

I'm plan on ordering a PhosBan Reactor to help to control my phosphates and hopefully my algae issue. Any advice on the set-up? I was even thinking about getting 2 and using one for carbon. Can I use my mag 12 return pump?

Aquarist007 · 04/23/2009, 09:55 PM

your mag 12 would be too powerful. You want just enough flow for the phosban to slightly heave on the surface.
The carbon will be able to take more flow but you don't want it purlverized and returned to the display tank
As a suggestion use a maxijet1200 and t off the lines. Each of the reactors will come with a valve. Put that valve on each of the t'd lines and you can control the flow to each reactor separately.

SaltyDr · 04/23/2009, 09:57 PM

I have a Maxijet 400 and just "daisy chain" the two reactors together. If you T'd it off then you can seperately control the flow to each reactor.

Toddrtrex · 04/23/2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SaltyDr
I have a Maxijet 400 and just "daisy chain" the two reactors together. ........

That is exactly how I have mine set up on my 33 cube.

Like this,

Guzzetta · 04/23/2009, 10:06 PM

Good advice... Thanks

Guzzetta · 04/23/2009, 10:10 PM

Is that a flow valve(green thing) going into the first reactor... Does it matter when you daisy change which media you go into first?

Toddrtrex · 04/23/2009, 10:13 PM

Yes, that is the ball valve (( should be supplied with the reactor )).

Not sure if it matters, but I always put my carbon first -- I change it more often, so with my set up it is easier to get too. And if there is any detritus that gets sucked up, it will (( hopefully )) be stopped by the carbon, and not interfere with the tumbling of the phosban.

TellyFish · 04/23/2009, 10:22 PM

Bulk Reef Supply makes an excellent dual unit.

Aquarist007 · 04/23/2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TellyFish
Bulk Reef Supply makes an excellent dual unit.

is that the one made out of an old ro water filter system. If so I don't believe the flow can be individually monitored between the two chambers

Guzzetta · 04/23/2009, 10:32 PM

I know that two little fish suggest 20-30 gph for 130 grams PhosBan, 30-40 gph for 200 grams. What is a good flow rate for carbon?

Toddrtrex · 04/23/2009, 10:39 PM

If they are going to be daisy chained, go with the flow that works best for the phosban. That will end up being lower then ideal for carbon, but going to fast then ideal for the phosban would be worse -- it would grind against itself.

singold · 04/23/2009, 10:51 PM

I have 2 Phosban reactors made by "Two Little Fishies". One for Phosphate & one for Carbon. I use a Mini Jet 404 for the one that has Phosban & a Maxi Jet 400 for the Carbon. I filled the Phosban up about1/4 of the chamber & filled the carbon one completely full. The phosban should should look like a slow boil at top of media, otherwise the Phosban media will get grinded up. The Mini Jet-404 is a good flow for this. If I were to have "daisey-chained" 2 reactor on say the same pump of a Maxi Jet 400, I'd probably put the Reactor for carbon first to get lesser flow on the phosban reactor, for the above mentioned reasons. Less flow is needed for Phosban due to avoidance of grinding up Phosban media.

Michael · 04/23/2009, 11:01 PM

the maxi-jet is a great pump for the 150 sized reactor, ive tried several pumps and i think the 400 is spot on

fishkeeper2009 · 04/23/2009, 11:40 PM

I also use maxi-jets, I have an ball valve to adjust the flow, I run phosban into a second reactor filled with carbon, this helps prevent any gfo from escaping into the sump.

aquamanSD · 04/24/2009, 12:35 AM

According to Bulk Reef Supply... They usually say to run the GFO in the first canister and the carbon second because the GFO can powder off and the carbon helps to catch it so it doesn't go into your aquarium.

04/23/2009, 09:50 PM	#1
Guzzetta Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 107	PhosBan Reactor Setup I'm plan on ordering a PhosBan Reactor to help to control my phosphates and hopefully my algae issue. Any advice on the set-up? I was even thinking about getting 2 and using one for carbon. Can I use my mag 12 return pump?

04/23/2009, 09:55 PM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	your mag 12 would be too powerful. You want just enough flow for the phosban to slightly heave on the surface. The carbon will be able to take more flow but you don't want it purlverized and returned to the display tank As a suggestion use a maxijet1200 and t off the lines. Each of the reactors will come with a valve. Put that valve on each of the t'd lines and you can control the flow to each reactor separately. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

04/23/2009, 10:13 PM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Yes, that is the ball valve (( should be supplied with the reactor )). Not sure if it matters, but I always put my carbon first -- I change it more often, so with my set up it is easier to get too. And if there is any detritus that gets sucked up, it will (( hopefully )) be stopped by the carbon, and not interfere with the tumbling of the phosban. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/23/2009, 10:22 PM	#8
TellyFish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago 60607 Posts: 1,130	Bulk Reef Supply makes an excellent dual unit. __________________ ...and life spirals into astonishing diversity. Current Tank Info: Hawaiian inspired 109g Miracles Rimless - 100g Prop Tank - 300g total system volume

04/23/2009, 10:39 PM	#11
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	If they are going to be daisy chained, go with the flow that works best for the phosban. That will end up being lower then ideal for carbon, but going to fast then ideal for the phosban would be worse -- it would grind against itself. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

04/23/2009, 09:57 PM	#3
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	I have a Maxijet 400 and just "daisy chain" the two reactors together. If you T'd it off then you can seperately control the flow to each reactor.

04/23/2009, 10:06 PM	#5
Guzzetta Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 107	Good advice... Thanks

04/23/2009, 10:10 PM	#6
Guzzetta Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 107	Is that a flow valve(green thing) going into the first reactor... Does it matter when you daisy change which media you go into first?

04/23/2009, 10:32 PM	#10
Guzzetta Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 107	I know that two little fish suggest 20-30 gph for 130 grams PhosBan, 30-40 gph for 200 grams. What is a good flow rate for carbon?

04/23/2009, 10:51 PM	#12
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	I have 2 Phosban reactors made by "Two Little Fishies". One for Phosphate & one for Carbon. I use a Mini Jet 404 for the one that has Phosban & a Maxi Jet 400 for the Carbon. I filled the Phosban up about1/4 of the chamber & filled the carbon one completely full. The phosban should should look like a slow boil at top of media, otherwise the Phosban media will get grinded up. The Mini Jet-404 is a good flow for this. If I were to have "daisey-chained" 2 reactor on say the same pump of a Maxi Jet 400, I'd probably put the Reactor for carbon first to get lesser flow on the phosban reactor, for the above mentioned reasons. Less flow is needed for Phosban due to avoidance of grinding up Phosban media. __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

04/23/2009, 11:01 PM	#13
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	the maxi-jet is a great pump for the 150 sized reactor, ive tried several pumps and i think the 400 is spot on __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

04/23/2009, 11:40 PM	#14
fishkeeper2009 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plano TX Posts: 38	I also use maxi-jets, I have an ball valve to adjust the flow, I run phosban into a second reactor filled with carbon, this helps prevent any gfo from escaping into the sump.

04/24/2009, 12:35 AM	#15
aquamanSD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Dakota Posts: 168	According to Bulk Reef Supply... They usually say to run the GFO in the first canister and the carbon second because the GFO can powder off and the carbon helps to catch it so it doesn't go into your aquarium.