View Full Version : Bio Pellet Reactor suggestions
caliking
02/26/2011, 12:12 AM
So I picked up a bag of Vertex Bio pellets and now face the tough choice of which bio pellet reactor to purchase. I was told by a few fellow reefers about two specific brands they recommend (Reef Octopus BR-110 (and) NextReef SMR1). But as always I would like to get more opinions before I buy either. :beer:
Reefnut2010
02/26/2011, 03:05 AM
Get the Reef Octopus. Look at the design and you'll see why it is a better choice. I just bought a pellet reactor not too long ago and seriously want to sell it and buy an Octopus.
caliking
02/26/2011, 05:02 AM
I do like the design of the Reef Octopus but want to know what other reefer's experience has been with either.
solitude127
02/26/2011, 09:23 AM
I'm using the Two Little Fishies reactor and really like it.
Clemente
02/26/2011, 09:54 AM
I have used both and the Reef Octopus is by far the best. It is truly a better design. There is another reactor, from JNS, which creates a water vortex inside the chamber which always maintains the pellets in suspension. Its a compact in-sump design, with the Sicce pump under the chamber. I haven't tried it but looks very promising.
johnnyb05
02/26/2011, 12:20 PM
So I picked up a bag of Vertex Bio pellets and now face the tough choice of which bio pellet reactor to purchase. I was told by a few fellow reefers about two specific brands they recommend (Reef Octopus BR-110 (and) NextReef SMR1). But as always I would like to get more opinions before I buy either. :beer:
hello i made a cone modification to a PM reactor. after much experimentation the cone works better then plates, plastic mesh etc. the pellets flow better plus you can use a smaller pump. heres a video with the mod in action. i have another video on how i coned the reactor but that one is long and boring lol. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAadSpRXwU8&feature=player_detailpage
caliking
02/27/2011, 12:52 AM
hello i made a cone modification to a PM reactor. after much experimentation the cone works better then plates, plastic mesh etc. the pellets flow better plus you can use a smaller pump. heres a video with the mod in action. i have another video on how i coned the reactor but that one is long and boring lol. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAadSpRXwU8&feature=player_detailpage
nice mod,,,
uhuru
02/27/2011, 01:01 AM
I use the octopus biopellet reactor, it is the most well thought out biopellet reactor on the market right now. A lot of early reviews by people that never used it complain that it is overpriced, but when you actually use it you will see it is superior from top to bottom. You will never have problems with loss of flow over time due to screens getting clogged. I like it so much I would get another to run other media if I needed to.
caliking
02/28/2011, 02:02 AM
my mind is made. Reef Octopus it is.
t4zalews
02/28/2011, 08:47 AM
I use the BRS bio pellet reactor and had zero problems with it. Cheaper too.
gws76
03/01/2011, 03:19 PM
I agree with the posters above on the Reef Octopus Biopellet reactors. I have the BR-140 and love it. Although I did have to mod it three days after setting it up. My screen cup was pushed up against the bottom of the lid which was causing the flow to stop in the reactor. Also, had to add a check valve between the pump and reactor. Since I feed my skimmer with the biopellet reactor, everytime I would shut off my supply pump to clean the skimmer cup, the reactor would back siphon the pellets into the pump.
cakemanPA
03/01/2011, 04:41 PM
I have 2 Nextreef reactors. I would happily trade them in and get the Octopus reactors
uhuru
03/01/2011, 06:04 PM
I agree with the posters above on the Reef Octopus Biopellet reactors. I have the BR-140 and love it. Although I did have to mod it three days after setting it up. My screen cup was pushed up against the bottom of the lid which was causing the flow to stop in the reactor. Also, had to add a check valve between the pump and reactor. Since I feed my skimmer with the biopellet reactor, everytime I would shut off my supply pump to clean the skimmer cup, the reactor would back siphon the pellets into the pump.
Once you run the biopellets for a few days you can remove the screen cup completely as the biopellets shouldn't be floating up that high anyway...
Great idea feeding your skimmer directly with the reactor btw
gws76
03/01/2011, 06:08 PM
I may try removing. You should see the nastyness that my skimmer produces!
uhuru
03/01/2011, 06:10 PM
My skimmate has doubled since I started running biopellets I can only imagine what would happen if I fed the output directly into the skimmer.
Dhummel64
03/02/2011, 01:59 AM
i was wondering if anyone has noticed a difference in running the bio pellet RX, i've been running the GFO on my tank so i know the difference there, just curious what people think, i have the option to get one this week because we have a group buy going right now and i live like 15 min from them.
thanks for your info.
caliking
03/09/2011, 03:16 PM
What pump do you all recommend I use to power the REEF OCTOPUS BR110? I see the youtube video shows a Tunze pump. But I was told the tunze pump would need meet the manufactures recommendation of 335gp-535gph.
gws76
03/09/2011, 04:15 PM
What pump do you all recommend I use to power the REEF OCTOPUS BR110? I see the youtube video shows a Tunze pump. But I was told the tunze pump would need meet the manufactures recommendation of 335gp-535gph.
I've been running the Tunze 1073.02 pump on my BR140, and it works fine. It's actually a little to much flow, but that's what's so nice about the 1073.02, you can dial it back with the adjustment on the front of the pump. That particular Tunze pump puts out 634 gph before head loss.
kctango
03/09/2011, 04:28 PM
I am using the avast 18" if your a DIY person you can save some money with their kit.
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/mediareactors/MR-10-18
NyReefNoob
03/09/2011, 04:37 PM
how does someone say something is the best if they havent tried others ? personally i have the vertex uf-15 and absolutely love it, very solid built, have even flow through out the reactor, it comes completely apart for servicing and cleaning, mine is plumbed into my return pump, ive been using the vertex brand of pellets a little over 5 months, not going to say my skimmate really increased alot as my skimmer kicked butt anyways
uhuru
03/09/2011, 06:41 PM
Mainly because the octopus reactor can run 100% screen-less so doesn't suffer from the same problems that other reactors do. Its already screen-less on the bottom and if you remove the top screen there is almost no chance of clogging. By doing this, there is such little pressure on the pump that you can run lower flow through it and get the same amount of tumbling. The reactor doesn't even get pressurized so if you run it external there is less chance of water leaking. BTW I have tried others not just for biopellets but other media and if you read some of the posts above other people have as well.
thebanker
03/09/2011, 06:50 PM
I love that cone mod. When is someone going to figure out an easy cone mod for the TLF150?
dbond
03/09/2011, 09:59 PM
I presently use the Next Reef Reactor and it works well but here is a new reactor which Im probably going to get next
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$100 bucks includes the pump and I think the vortex should help prevent clumping at least I hope.
caliking
03/09/2011, 11:02 PM
I was going to buy this model but was told by the seller that the Reef Octopus is better in the sense that the media tumbles in the chamber, as opposed to this model where the media spins around the chamber.
I presently use the Next Reef Reactor and it works well but here is a new reactor which Im probably going to get next
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$100 bucks includes the pump and I think the vortex should help prevent clumping at least I hope.
goofball310
03/09/2011, 11:21 PM
That's the ATB Alpha that I'm trying to find more information about in another thread. So far no one has responded.
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/reactors/atb-media-biopellet-reactors/atb-alpha-1-biopellet-reactor
lolgranny
03/13/2011, 12:09 PM
I too have been looking at the ATB alpha and the Reef Octopus BR-110.
I need to make up my mind.
If you dont mind me asking, what is the ideal biopellets to use? Is there a "best?"
caliking
03/13/2011, 01:49 PM
I went with the vertex brand. My lfs sells many types, but they claim many customers hav told them vertex gives them the best results.
niko5
03/13/2011, 06:33 PM
After seeing all the reactors with the cone at the bottom I decided to mod my TLF reactor. I just cut a square of 1/8" acrylic headed it up and made alittle cone to put down in the bottom. It moved the pellets WAY better than it did stock. I always had one side that wouldn't move, now they all move looks pretty nice and cheep!
Ill post a video here in alittle bit.
Too bad I didn't have the camera running when I spilled the container holding the bio pellets all over my kitchen counter while I installed the cone.... err...
niko5
03/13/2011, 08:16 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e9aANFqiNI
Video of it working.
uhuru
03/13/2011, 08:38 PM
Nice work!
caliking
03/14/2011, 01:55 AM
Wow!! Really cool work.
thebanker
03/14/2011, 05:59 PM
Great work modding the TLF reactor, and a nice electronic soundtrack to back it up.
Anyone know an EZ method for doing this? I don't have access to spare acrylic, saws, and heat guns, etc to make that sort of thing.
Or... niko5, can I throw you a couple bucks to make me one? :D
HiggyBrew
04/29/2011, 03:32 PM
I am thinking of buying the JNS Alpha 2 and adding 1L of Vertex BioPellets. What do you think? Anyone running this combo?
thebanker
04/29/2011, 03:35 PM
Just to update, I'm using Niko5's mod in my TLF 150 reactor and it works PHENOMENALLY. I noticed a drop in algae and better color in my coral just from this mod! Way to go!
:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
magnetar68
03/23/2012, 10:25 AM
What's the easiest way to bend the acyrlic for the TLF 150 mod? I was going to try heating up a 2.5" disc in a toaster oven and then pushing it down over a piece of tubing.
redddogg69
03/23/2012, 12:07 PM
Here is a pic of my vertex UF-15 reactor I modded into a recirculating pellet reactor. Pellet tumble is independent of the effluent flow so I can fine tune the removal of nitrate and phosphate so as not to strip my system of nutrients and to limit the amount of bacteria that escapes the pellet reactor.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/redddogg69/pelletreactor2.jpg
galkito
04/05/2012, 05:54 AM
redddogg69 can you please post some more images or a video to see the mods you made on this Vertex you have? I am trying to make somthing similar...
Thanks,
Galkito
ErikS
04/05/2012, 06:14 AM
I was going to buy this model but was told by the seller that the Reef Octopus is better in the sense that the media tumbles in the chamber, as opposed to this model where the media spins around the chamber.
Actually in theory spinning is the better option.............but I seriously doubt there's a true practical difference.
The JNS is however the only reactor currently on the market that is spedicially designed (from the ground up) for biopellets.
bayoupr
04/05/2012, 07:27 AM
The AquaMaxx works great.
Paulairduck
04/07/2012, 11:09 PM
take a look at the cad lights pellet reactor, saw it in use today and the three way valve is ticket, with the cone body
Chet.84
04/08/2012, 09:47 PM
I have the reef octo 110 and love it. Tumbles pellets very well.
seanewbie
04/09/2012, 07:56 AM
I have a deltec denitrator already. Should I invest on a bio pellets reactor as well?
kv2wr1
04/09/2012, 03:51 PM
m3ZXKWzJBEI
The new Cadlights reactor looks cool. I'm thinking of trying it on my 180g.
You can adjust it more than the video shows it looking pretty violent.
Schennj
04/09/2012, 05:12 PM
I have a BRS gfo reactor, is there anyway of using it to run BP?
gmoney243
04/09/2012, 06:50 PM
The new reef dynamics reactors are hot! Local member has and says its the best he's used and he's been through quite a few.
jfeva0049
07/17/2012, 01:59 PM
anyone have the 135 model?
fbodykiller
07/17/2012, 05:49 PM
anyone have the 135 model?
I am also interested in this...
What other recirculating reactors are there?
thebanker
07/17/2012, 06:40 PM
Anyone use the CPR Aquatics reactors that move the pellets in a harmonic wave, with the open top? I always thought those were cool, because you could just dump a few pellets in when it looks low.
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