Question about phosphate reactors

Fountainhead · 10/12/2006, 04:15 PM

Whats the difference between putting phosphate removal media (or carbon or whatever) in a phosphate reactor and just putting the same media in a media bag in a high flow area of your sump?

mburnickas · 10/12/2006, 04:18 PM

I am guessing flow rates and (upflow). I had the bag deal with PHosar and did not do much. Spent the $27 for two fishes...much better.

jdieck · 10/12/2006, 04:20 PM

In the case of carbon it does not make much difference. In the case of Phosphate media depends on the type, if it is alumina based there is no much difference. If it is iron based, the upflow of the reactor fluidizing the media you reduce the tendency of it being clumped together by carbonate precipitation increasing its life and performance.

In all cases depending on the media shape you might get less channeling in a reactor than in a bag.

Fountainhead · 10/12/2006, 04:53 PM

Thanks guys. Mike, what pump are you using with the Two Little Fishes? Do you have the reactor in a sump or external somehow?

mburnickas · 10/12/2006, 04:57 PM

I have the 2 little guy running a mini-jet 404; running about 30 gph. It is external to my sump.

orb · 10/12/2006, 08:00 PM

mine is fed off my return pump, in my sump.

10/12/2006, 04:15 PM	#1
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	Question about phosphate reactors Whats the difference between putting phosphate removal media (or carbon or whatever) in a phosphate reactor and just putting the same media in a media bag in a high flow area of your sump?

10/12/2006, 04:18 PM	#2
mburnickas Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: MA Posts: 684	I am guessing flow rates and (upflow). I had the bag deal with PHosar and did not do much. Spent the $27 for two fishes...much better. __________________ Thanks Mike Current Tank Info: 75 gal; Tek T5 lights, reef tank with low to mod coral; wavemaker with maxjet ph; red sea ozone with orp at 350 (and going higher); Ev-120 protein skimmer; quiet one 3000 main pump

10/12/2006, 04:20 PM	#3
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	In the case of carbon it does not make much difference. In the case of Phosphate media depends on the type, if it is alumina based there is no much difference. If it is iron based, the upflow of the reactor fluidizing the media you reduce the tendency of it being clumped together by carbonate precipitation increasing its life and performance. In all cases depending on the media shape you might get less channeling in a reactor than in a bag. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

10/12/2006, 04:57 PM	#5
mburnickas Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: MA Posts: 684	I have the 2 little guy running a mini-jet 404; running about 30 gph. It is external to my sump. __________________ Thanks Mike Current Tank Info: 75 gal; Tek T5 lights, reef tank with low to mod coral; wavemaker with maxjet ph; red sea ozone with orp at 350 (and going higher); Ev-120 protein skimmer; quiet one 3000 main pump

10/12/2006, 04:53 PM	#4
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	Thanks guys. Mike, what pump are you using with the Two Little Fishes? Do you have the reactor in a sump or external somehow?

10/12/2006, 08:00 PM	#6
orb Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: orlando Posts: 602	mine is fed off my return pump, in my sump.