phos reactor

[parrotchute]

So, after all your good advice, I decided to get a phosphate reactor. Most of them don't come with pumps, right? I have an extra aqua lifter pump - would that work? And, last question, what sort of media should I buy to go with it? Buying from Drs, if anyone has any specific model recommendations.
Thanks - happy st patrick's day!

Alex

 

[dustin_P74]

reactor
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+20173&pcatid=20173

media
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+8996&pcatid=8996

 

[XxKnuckleheadxX]

i bought the phosban 150 didnt have a pump but i bought a little pump rated at 90 gph and it has a ball valve with the reactor. very simple to use i love it.

 

[ccCapt]

I agree with Dustin on the reactor (same 1 I have), but I would pass on the PhosBan and get Phospure. Same stuff and cost less than 1/2 the price of PhosBan. I used it until I switched to BRS GFO.

 

[parrotchute]

cool, thanks guys! I'm guessing I need a filter mesh bag - any specific size? Oh, and will the aqua lifter pump work?

 

[dustin_P74]

if you get the reactor i linked to, you dont need a pump as it comes with everything you need, and you dont need a media bag, thats what the reactor is for

 

[parrotchute]

thanks for curing my ignorance dustin, going to order it!

 

[parrotchute]

thanks capt, I think I'll go w/that

 

[parrotchute]

generated a couple more q's:
Carbon or the phosphate removing stuff? I know it really depends on what kind of problems I'm having, but I'm looking for an overall cleaning effect - I have some red slime algae and the water is a little discolored, but not sure what to go after first.

Also, do I need to buy the tubing separately (can't really tell) and if so, what size? Does the pump just sit at the bottom of the tank?

Thanks for the patience!

 

[dustin_P74]

again, if you bought what i linked to you need to buy nothing extra. also if you can find another sponge then you can run both in the same reactor

 

[ccCapt]

You can mix the carbon and GFO, but the carbon will get exhausted faster and can possibly start leeching what it absorbed back into the tank. You would need to change the GFO more frequently than required if you mix them both since the carbon doesn't last as long.