Calcium Reactor Media

[Reef Monkey]

Just curious what everyone uses for Calcium Reactor Media. I'm about to fill my Reactor for the first time and I would love some input the best media to use. FWIW my reactor is a reverse flow Octopus Reactor. Thank you for any help/suggestions.

 

[Ed Hahn]

I like the schuran type or simillar media. I use Carib Sea Corse media that just came out. Rinse it really good with RO or RO/DI water before use to get crude out or you will have a snow storm in your tank. You should rinse any media before installing it in reactor. I used the Deltec type and it would leave a big mess in my reactor some times even plugging it. You can go with fine media and do a lot of cleaning. I believe the corse media last longer also. I could be wrong. Good luck with which ever you decide.

 

[DonW]

Genx or schuran is one of the better medias. It does however need a lower ph but is worth the extra co2.

Don

 

[bc_slc]

I use ARM. It works great and lasts forever. I think most media are fine. I made the mistake the first time I loaded my reactor by using "used crushed coral." Got talked into it by someone at a LFS. What a mess - as the CC melted it released all the bad stuff (Phosphates, disasterous algae problem) that a CC bed absorbs over its lifetime. Because it did so gradually, it took me about 5 months to figure out the issue and correct it.

Mat

 

[91YOTA]

i use the koralith 6-10mm media in my lifereef reactor with an eheim 1048 stir pump... so far im a big fan of this media... i prefer larger media since there is less chance of it becoming sludge and clogging the reactor if maintained properly...

 

[apollothesun]

I use ARM. It works great and lasts forever. I think most media are fine. I made the mistake the first time I loaded my reactor by using "used crushed coral." Got talked into it by someone at a LFS. What a mess - as the CC melted it released all the bad stuff (Phosphates, disasterous algae problem) that a CC bed absorbs over its lifetime. Because it did so gradually, it took me about 5 months to figure out the issue and correct it.

Mat

i agree, use the media that's intended for. i like the genx, dons right, it does take a lot of co2, well worth it.

 

[apollothesun]

I use ARM. It works great and lasts forever. I think most media are fine. I made the mistake the first time I loaded my reactor by using "used crushed coral." Got talked into it by someone at a LFS. What a mess - as the CC melted it released all the bad stuff (Phosphates, disasterous algae problem) that a CC bed absorbs over its lifetime. Because it did so gradually, it took me about 5 months to figure out the issue and correct it.

Mat

i agree, use the media that's intended for. i like the genx, dons right, it does take a lot of co2, well worth it.

 

[packer]

What is the low ph for the genx? I would like to try it in a sulphur denitrifier if it would disolve/buffer at its ph.

 

[DonW]

What is the low ph for the genx? I would like to try it in a sulphur denitrifier if it would disolve/buffer at its ph.

6.5 is a good ph for genx. My denitrifier is running around 6.2 so no matter what media you use watch your ca. and alk. Most denitrifiers wont go down that low so arm is a better choice if yours is anything higher than 6.8.

Don

 

[Herefishyfishy]

"My denitrifier is running around 6.2"

Is this your DIY sulfur based unit? Pics?

 

[DonW]

"My denitrifier is running around 6.2"

Is this your DIY sulfur based unit? Pics?

No pics yet but I did decide which new camera to buy You shouldnt be hitting 6.2 unless you have a real long infeed, mine is about 30+ ft. Running it down that low is going to cause long term issues. At a PH of 7 you should end up with real high effuent orp and 0 nitrates.

Don

 

[Herefishyfishy]

At a PH of 7 you should end up with real high effuent orp and 0 nitrates.

Don

So you are no longer running Ozone then?

 

[DonW]

So you are no longer running Ozone then?

I run ozone also, but since my denitrifier is so low and I dont want it gassing up I flush it with rodi water as needed to give it a step backwards.

Don