Is it inadvisable to use a single Phosphate Reactor to run both Phosban(or similar) AND carbon at the same time? I was thinking of doing this on my 55g, since the reactor is rated (when filled with 150-200gr Phosban) for a much larger aquarium.

The only downside that I can think of is that I may wish to replace my carbon on a different schedule than my Phosban...

Thoughts?

Thanks...

Yep, you got the main drawback. If you do it, Phosban on the bottom, carbon on the top.

The two little fishies phosban reactor has sponge disks to seperate the media, so I am guessing they think it's okay... :)

Really? Both of mine came with 2 sponges. one for the top, and one for the bottom. You can order additional ones from them though if you wanted to keep them separated.

Great idea!

Thanks Jeff, Pearson...

-S

ONE THING... I was talking to one of the pros at Seachem today and he said the phosban reactor idea is a really good one. Just make sure to pack it when you load up, you apparently don't want the carbon swirling around as it will cause dust, which is apparently bad thing.

ONE THING... I was talking to one of the pros at Seachem today and he said the phosban reactor idea is a really good one. Just make sure to pack it when you load up, you apparently don't want the carbon swirling around as it will cause dust, which is apparently bad thing.

i thought the phosphate remover had to be suspended in the tube to be fully effective? if you pack carbon tight in there two i don't see how the phosphate media will be able to be suspended. i do think the charcoal will break down tumbling around in the chamber though. i was going to run two reactors so one with the phosphate remover can be loosely packed and the one with carbon can be packed so it is not moving around and breaking apart. any other thoughts on this?

The more I read about it, the more I think that is a good idea.

I have 2 reactors. One for carbon, one for phosban. Neither are packed in, and run without issue. The carbon does not break up.

I have a couple problems with running carbon and phosphate media in one reactor. I use two phosban reactors, one for carbon and one for phosban.
First, the flow through the phosphate reactor should be minimal. According to the manufacturer - 30-50 gal/hr. "Adjust the flow rate with the valve so that only the upper 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of granules tumbles, looking like water beginning to boil". For the carbon filter I want to maximize the flow.
Second, the carbon media needs to be changed more often than the phosphate media. I like to change the carbon every six weeks. The phosban lasts much longer, usually six months. I think it would be a problem changing the carbon in a reactor where there is also phosban. I understand that the initial cost of setting up two reactors is twice as expensive as one, but in the long run the cost of the phosban will be much more if it is changed more often than necessary.

what do these reactors go for in the states?
whats the typical flow rates on units such as these?
do you guys stray from the manufacturers R&D tested advice, & if so why?

everytime i hear the word "reactor" i smile, definately a coined name thats stuck big time! why didn't pistal pipes or stir pots take off ..lol

I think you can get the reactor, pump, valve and hoses for less than $50. I got one of mine from a local, used and the other on ebay, so I'm not sure about LFS prices. I think they reccomend <100GPH when using GFO, or as fast as you want through other media. They really are great tools. You can put whatever you want in them.

I use the Hydor Seltz L25 pumps. They have a flow adjustment dial on the front that I set at maximum for the carbon and minimum for the phosban. Check the marrinedepot site here:
Hydor SELTZ L25 Pump 265 gph (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Water Pumps > Submersible > 0 - 500 GPH ) (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~HD12202.html)
Also look here for the reactors and media:
Two Little Fishies Aquarium Filter Media (HydroCarbon and Phosban) (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~filter_media_two_little_ fishies_phosban_hydrocarbon.html)
Also here is a combo deal they have:
Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor & 150g Phosban Media with FREE Fish Collection CD!!! (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Filters > Inline/ Specialty > Phosphate Reactors ) (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~SearchStr~phosban~action~view~idProduc t~TL4411~idCategory~FIFRISPR~category~Two_Little_F ishies_Phosban_Reactor___150g_Phosban_Media_with_F REE_Fish_Collection_CD!!!_Saltwater_Aquarium_Suppl ies_Filters_Inline__Specialty_Phosphate_Reactors~v endor~.html)

PS: I do not work for this company but I think they have good prices and service. (I'm a dentist in Philadelphia, PA.)

I think you can get the reactor, pump, valve and hoses for less than $50. I got one of mine from a local, used and the other on ebay, so I'm not sure about LFS prices. I think they reccomend <100GPH when using GFO, or as fast as you want through other media. They really are great tools. You can put whatever you want in them.

The TLF instructions recommends a Maxijet 500(?), but goes on to say that 50gph is optimum (at least for Phosban). The Phosban reactor comes with a valve fitting to restrict flow. I think many people stick a Maxijet 400 on the reactor...

My understanding for the slow flow rate with GFO is twofold: increased contact time with the media and to prevent the media from grinding itself to dust. Packing GFO should not be an issue. Following the manufacturer's instructions, the majority of the GFO media is essentially packed- it is not suspended in the flow like a fluidized bed filter. I have used several different media in my PhosBan reactor and I would use a different material as a separator between the GFO and carbon. I use 2 reactors- one for phosphate control and one for carbon- inline with each other supplied by a MaxiJet 400.

I have 2 Two Little Fishes Phosban reactors daisey chained together. The first has phosban and the second has carbon. It is working great for me this way. I do hpwever replace the carbon much more frequently than the phosban. You also want to rinse the phosban first or the dust left in the container will turn the tank orange for a time.
HTH
Peace
Lynn

Hi Stargazer and :welcome: to TR.

When i was at my mates LFS last i took the opportunity to check out his unit set-ups. quite a nice arrangment
Ca ,nitrate, & PO4 german reactors in a row under one of the DT, like bottles on a wall - i felt like taking target practicehttp://www.alexander-oberg.de/smileys/viecher/DoomSoldier.gif lol

Id have to run though, cause id be a few thousand in the red if i broke them:huh:

OR...I put my Phosphate media in a filter bag, thereby allowing me to change carbon and recover the Phos Media.

I have 2 Two Little Fishes Phosban reactors daisey chained together. The first has phosban and the second has carbon. It is working great for me this way. I do hpwever replace the carbon much more frequently than the phosban. You also want to rinse the phosban first or the dust left in the container will turn the tank orange for a time.
HTH
Peace
Lynn

Hey Lynn,

I also daisy chain my carbon and Phosban but do the carbon first and then the phosban. Reason being is the phosban needs a slower turn over than the carbon. I havenever seen it but apparantly if the flow is two hard throught the Phosban it can turn to dust and ge tinto the system. Just a suggestion to flip it around;)

Thanks for the suggestion I know about the slow flow needed for the phosban but I just have the whole thing dialed back. No matter which way you add them if they are using the same pump both have the same amount of flow. I run the carbon second so hopefully the carbon will absorb the smaller particles from the phosban. I do rinse both well prior to adding so I am sure that helps as well. Particularly the carbon. The phosban you have to be much more gentle with so you don't break it down. I think I need a new pump for mine though. Just checked it yesdterday and the flow is down to a trickle. Either time to clean the pump or replace it.

Phosban, Carbon and Substrate Reactors Of My!

Well boys and girls in the world of new high tech aquatic toys we are bombarded with thousands of options to give us that technological edge in maintaining prestine aquatic environments. Each type of Fluidized Reactor provides a desired result. Whether it be removing Phosphates from the water for for a thriving SPS Reef Aquarium using Phosban or polishing the water by the use of Carbon means that each has particular guidelines that should be followed for optimal results.

Phosphate Reactors

Phosphate reactors use such media a ROWAphos or other types of media to remove Phosphates from the water. Removing Phosphates is beneficial to decrease the growth of Nuisance Algaes such as Hair Algae or to prevent Calcium from becoming chemically locked and preventing Corals from precipitating Calcium to grow. Most Phosphate removing media is very fine and requires a very slow rate to gently disturb the media within the chamber. To much flow and the media can easily pass through the Foam Filter pads of most reactors. This media last for a long period of time before requiring it to be replaced.

Carbon Reactors

Carbon reactors use such media such a Fauna Marin Carb L Pellet Carbon will remove Ammonia and other harmful chemicals from the water as well as provide poloshing of aquarium water. This media is mostly available and large pellets and a fast flow is recommended to keep the media fully suspended to provide 360 degree x 360 degree access to the media eliminating dead spots. This media last for a very short period of time requiring it to be replaced more often if not weekly.

Substrate Reactors

Substrate reacters operate around the same principle as carbon reactors. This media is not so small that even on the lowest setting it may have a chance to seep through the Foam Filter Pads but not heavy enough that the highest setting is required. A mediumd flow rate is recommended to keep the media in a constate state of suspension to provide 360 degree x 360 degree access to the media eliminating allowing bacteria to colonies all aspects of the media.

These are just guidelines and whatever suites your aquarium is what you should do. My personal opion is that if you have room to operate individual Fluidized Reactors with individual Pumps and Valve Controls that would be your best option to fine tune the water flow or ability to change individual media at your descretion.


http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/Jasonanatal/28%20gallon%20JBJ%20Nano%20Cube%20HQI%20Reef%20Aqu arium/DigitalRebelPhotographs0052.jpg
Photograph Thursday, October 26, 2007 - My Precision Marine Reactor currently filled with Fauna Marin Carb L.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/Jasonanatal/28%20gallon%20JBJ%20Nano%20Cube%20HQI%20Reef%20Aqu arium/AquariumChillerSetup-1.jpg
Photograph Thursday, october 26, 2007 - Water Flow Diagram with Precision Marine Reactor and JBJ Artica 1/15 hp Titanium Chiller.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/Jasonanatal/28%20gallon%20JBJ%20Nano%20Cube%20HQI%20Reef%20Aqu arium/AquariumReactorDiagram0002.jpg
Photograph Monday, November 12, 2007 - This Precision Marine Reactor Diagram is my personal opinion of an effecient Reactor setup. Each Precision Marine Reactor has their own Pump and Control Valve to operate independantly allowing the ability to change the media without interupting or wasting othe various media.