Deluxe BRS Carbon/GFO Reactor "Just Arrived"

I have always wanted to get a carbon Reactor to do some polishing of my water. A UV sterilizer is not possible, since I have a mandarin and need my copodes to make it to my DT. I was eyeing the one that is branded BRS (Bulk Reef Supply) and watched the video that Jon has and was quite impressed with it. I spoke to Reed at BRS and explained what I wanted to do and he also agreed with my idea.

There was a 3reef group buy that kicked in a week ago & took advantage of the additional savings. Of course that wasn't all I bought, but that's for another post later on.

There are four different reactors that they carry that is their own brand. One is white top with clear tubing. The second one (the one I purchased, the Deluxe) has a black top, black tubing, has a release button to make it easier to remove the cartridge. The third is the same as the second one, but is a dual configuration to run GFO and carbon at the same time. The forth is a Jumbo version of the first one.

I purchase a Maxijet 1200 and BRS Rox 0.8 Activated Carbon 1.5lbs container. I did a lot of research on carbon and what was the differences. BRS also has a video on this as well.

At first glance, wow this reactor was built very well. The clear housing is very thick and the top body section is built just as well. It comes will all the needed 1/2" black tubing and all the connections including the ball valve uses Push Connect (Murlok) connections.

I can't wait to get it running tomorrow. I'll keep everyone posted.

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Here are some pics of course.

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That is the style with the button to release air pressure. Nice. I have the old one and no wrench but I love it. Using the Rox 0.8 is kind of a pain but I wouldn't use anything else.

Pods getting decimated by UV is a myth you know. I'm sure a few get killed here and there but for the most part they aren't free swimming. I can get you pics of pods actually colonizing the area between a 24W in tank Green Killing Machine and the glass. Plenty of pods in my system, both fuge and display and the UV runs 24/7.

 

How do you have your UV connected?

It's not just killing the pods, it also kills off the good nutrients that pods and others feed on. There are other ways I could of connected the UV, but really couldn't justify the time, money, & end result..

Can you explain the pain in using Rox 0.8, also any special way I need to rinse before using?

 

The UV is directly in the fuge and pulls water thru a submersed pump. The pods have colonized the area between the body and the glass, they even climb across the the intake. And they have more than enough to eat in the rocks and among the macro's. UV doesn't kill pods for the same reason it barely effective against MI. Neither are 100% free swimming organisms.

The Rox granular size is so small it works through the sponges. I haven't seen the sponge in the new models but in mine, the carbon will find ways through. To rinse just set up and run it into a bucket until the water runs clear.

 

Good to know.. Originally I was going to connect the UV into my return, so all the water would get UV treated. That was the reasoning that I decided no to do it & just go carbon.

I'll take some pics of the sponges.. Rinse with RODI water or SW?

 

Saltwater. The easiest way to rinse is to set the reactor up on the tank and put the return tube into a bucket instead of back into the sump. Run water through the reactor until the water runs clear. You'll have to replace a gallon or so of saltwater into your system but I've found this is more effective at rinsing the carbon than running tap water through just the refillable cartridge.

 

I experienced the same issue with the Rox 0.8. Maybe the new foam will not let it as deep.

 

Congratulations! Definitely a great buy. I use a BRS dual reactor on both 92 and 150.

 

Definitely congrats on the buy!

I had the mind to get the same thing, but a flat tire on the truck made my tank budget take a hit. Guess I'm waiting for the next group buy now.