When using chemipure in a reactor do u leave it in the bag?

Crush Coral · 02/01/2016, 10:15 PM

The title asks it all. Or does the bag plug up and stop the flow?

Reef Frog · 02/01/2016, 10:34 PM

The instructions that came with my reactor said specifically not to use any media in a mesh bag. You don't want to restrict water from moving freely through the media.

Crush Coral · 02/02/2016, 07:09 PM

ArE we all in general agreement with this?

moondoggy4 · 02/02/2016, 11:34 PM

Yes you leave it in the bag

Sandberg1222 · 02/03/2016, 02:57 AM

I've taken it out of the bag. My diy reactor works better that way. Actually worked too good and stripped the water to all zeros. My nems didn't like that. My reactor is small and tall, made out of an old gravel vac so the bag was not letting it spread out to fit. Had no problem taking it out. I used a piece of a old filter sock on my return to make sure nothing was able to get thru and return into my sump. Your reactor might act different, my tank is only a 40 gallon so a small reactor works great for me. If yours is a bigger one then I would probably leave it in the bag but you don't know until you try.

dianapickles · 02/04/2016, 11:49 AM

Bump. I'd like to know too.

Everyone seems to have different answers on this. Half say they take it out and it works great and the rest say that the finer contents will get into the tank.

Crush Coral · 02/04/2016, 01:52 PM

My concern is that the ferric oxide is so fine in chemicals pure elite that I am concerned it will just end up in the tank.

Crush Coral · 02/04/2016, 01:55 PM

Oops. I forgot to state that it is the chemipure elite I use and that my concern is the fine granular of ferric oxcide.

Reef Frog · 02/04/2016, 01:56 PM

Most reactors have sponges to keep the fines out of your water.

There may be differences in reactor designs so maybe some specify it's OK to use granular media in bags. Dunno. But in general you run bagged media in canister filters, media racks and high flow areas.

In an upflow reactor, you don't want to constrict the media. You just put in the media by itself, rinsed. That's the way they were designed. Water flows lthrough the media I impeded. That's it. Don't over think it.

Do what the manufacturer suggests. Mine says NO bags. One look at it and you'll see why. Just call or email if in doubt.

OP: The chemi pure product is good, but you may want to save money & buy GFO & GAC Carbon in bulk. You could save a small fortune. Same results.

02/01/2016, 10:15 PM	#1
Crush Coral Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,233	When using chemipure in a reactor do u leave it in the bag? The title asks it all. Or does the bag plug up and stop the flow?

02/01/2016, 10:34 PM	#2
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	The instructions that came with my reactor said specifically not to use any media in a mesh bag. You don't want to restrict water from moving freely through the media.

02/02/2016, 07:09 PM	#3
Crush Coral Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,233	ArE we all in general agreement with this?

02/02/2016, 11:34 PM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Yes you leave it in the bag

02/03/2016, 02:57 AM	#5
Sandberg1222 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lakewood, Wa Posts: 87	I've taken it out of the bag. My diy reactor works better that way. Actually worked too good and stripped the water to all zeros. My nems didn't like that. My reactor is small and tall, made out of an old gravel vac so the bag was not letting it spread out to fit. Had no problem taking it out. I used a piece of a old filter sock on my return to make sure nothing was able to get thru and return into my sump. Your reactor might act different, my tank is only a 40 gallon so a small reactor works great for me. If yours is a bigger one then I would probably leave it in the bag but you don't know until you try.

02/04/2016, 11:49 AM	#6
dianapickles Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 171	Bump. I'd like to know too. Everyone seems to have different answers on this. Half say they take it out and it works great and the rest say that the finer contents will get into the tank.

02/04/2016, 01:52 PM	#7
Crush Coral Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,233	My concern is that the ferric oxide is so fine in chemicals pure elite that I am concerned it will just end up in the tank.

02/04/2016, 01:55 PM	#8
Crush Coral Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,233	Oops. I forgot to state that it is the chemipure elite I use and that my concern is the fine granular of ferric oxcide.

02/04/2016, 01:56 PM	#9
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Most reactors have sponges to keep the fines out of your water. There may be differences in reactor designs so maybe some specify it's OK to use granular media in bags. Dunno. But in general you run bagged media in canister filters, media racks and high flow areas. In an upflow reactor, you don't want to constrict the media. You just put in the media by itself, rinsed. That's the way they were designed. Water flows lthrough the media I impeded. That's it. Don't over think it. Do what the manufacturer suggests. Mine says NO bags. One look at it and you'll see why. Just call or email if in doubt. OP: The chemi pure product is good, but you may want to save money & buy GFO & GAC Carbon in bulk. You could save a small fortune. Same results.