Best bio pellet reactor?

Reef Pilot · #1 05-10-2012, 07:00 PM

I have the Vertex UF20 reactor. Works great for me. It is narrow and tall, so uses a small footprint in my sump. I run it off a T from my return pump, and control the amount of tumble with the valve that it comes with on the input side. Just be sure to use mesh (from Michaels) inside, instead of the sponge filters or get the Vertex Pro-Bio Peller kit. The output is near the input to my skimmer.

I use the Vertex bio pellets along with MB7 with mine. I ramped it up slowly, but managed to run the whole 1000ml bag in the reactor. Then I just top it up about every 3 months, to keep it tumbling all the way to the top for maximum efficiency.

martinmcnally · #2 05-10-2012, 07:23 PM

Check out the Reef Octopus ones. Great pricing. Uses the mesh and they have a bunch of different sizes. Also have the cone bottom for tumbling of pellets.

freezetyle · #3 05-10-2012, 08:33 PM

Not so fond of the reef octopus ones. the one that i have running gets clogged fairly easily. the area that they have the mesh isnt wide enough, i ended up running it without that piece and hoping that the pellets wouldnt enter in the sump.

My vote is the reef dynamics one, or the new cad-lights cone reactor. of if you want a reactor that can can use if BP aren't your thing the vertex uf 15

Tracey2 · #4 05-10-2012, 10:34 PM

Vertex, great flow

ILIKECOUGARS · #5 05-10-2012, 11:36 PM

I using a Vertex UF20 reactor,with no bottom plate tee off the return pump.

I used to use a TLF 550 reactor until the flow blew a hole in the bottom of the reactor, using the same method with no bottom plate.

banditpowdercoat · #6 05-11-2012, 04:43 AM

Whats a good pump to go with on the TLF 150? I can't get new reactor yet. But my present powerhead leaves something to be desired and the pellets clump and go stagnant.

Rice Reef · #7 05-11-2012, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

Whats a good pump to go with on the TLF 150? I can't get new reactor yet. But my present powerhead leaves something to be desired and the pellets clump and go stagnant.

I have just jumped onto the biopellets bandwagon and I am currently using MJ1200 however, I am tumbling only 200ml of pellets... Only 35-40% as I am starting slow... I do have a mag 5 pump standing by as I plan to tumble 400-500ml eventually.