In a sense you are correct that Corals do need a certain amount of these nutrients, this is especially true for some LPS and various other Corals.

I highly doubt your Corals are reacting negatively to the lower Nitrate and Phosphate levels from doing doing a water change, they are likely reacting to small changes in Salinity, temperature, ALK, and other variances.

Keeping Nitrates and especially Phosphates under control is especially important in tanks dominated by SPS. The Beads are also proving to be very helpful in fish only systems with heavy feeding regimens.

Hope this helps!

As far as the Nitrate at zero, I just more or less compare colors of the tests. And so far every test the colors are the same for both tank and reactor (around the 10 mark) keep in mind this is a fairly new setup so there shouldnt be a whole lot of build up. Does the fact of the tank being new, about three months, have any bearing on things????

I will try slowing down the flow and maybe look into some additives.

I hooked up mine but am having a hard time to get them tumbling. I have them in a custom made canister with an 800 rio hooked up to it. I have good flow but they are not tumbling is this okay with good flow?

Ian,
Just to clarify, if I purchase this system which is the vertex package.

http://www.oceaniccorals.com/store/i...&productId=355

And hook up this pump I already have.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/wp...ater+Pump.html

I should be good to go? I will obviously need tubing, clamps etc.

When I plumb this in which part of the sump does it draw from and return to.

How many bio pellets do I put in the vertex and which vertex model for a 160g system with a 40g sump.

Thanks,
Chris

Without seeing a video I can't comment for certain but you want to make sure every single Bead is tumbling in the reactor. If any are allowed to clump together they will stick and then possibly turn anoxic creating Hydrogen sulfide gas among other issues. Always make sure the Beads are tumbling wildly!

Ian
O.C.

You should be good to go; however, you are going from 3/4 outlet on the pump to 1/2" on the Reactor, this will not be a problem if you have the right fittings. The GPH is "okay" but a little more would be ideal. The best pump hands down for this setup is the Tunze Silence .020

Hope that helps!

Sorry Chris, I only answered half your questions....lol. Make sure the return aims towards the intake to wherever the skimmer is located. I would run a full 1100ml for your size tank, and I would opt for the UF-20 if you can swing it.

Cheers!

Ian
O.C.

what fittings and hose are people using to plumb the vertex uf-15 reactor? I cant seem to find the right size hose for it. Could some of you post pics on how yours is plumbed.

Cheers
Ray

just so i have this correct, the pellet reactor goes into the sump chamber, where the skimmer is located? and Why?:question:

At first I plumbed my Vertex with flex hose and had to use a crap load of adapters. Plus the hoses ended up snaking around all over the place. Instead I ended up replumbing it with 1/2" sch 40 PVC.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1272334680 http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1272334768

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1272334790

It is possible to plumb with flex hose but you'll have to find the correct sizes depending on what pump you are using and what adapters you can locate.