Media reactor?

I'm thinking about picking up a media reactor to run phos-ban and carbon in. Any suggestions on a good unit? It's for a 125 gallon tank, not sure is size really makes a difference. Also, I already have a mag 5 as well as a RIO 2500 pump laying around, not sure what kind of flow rate you are supposed to have through a media reactor, will these work or will I need a smaller pump also.

So far I have found:
Two little fishes Reactor
ViaAqua Poly-Reactor
Kent Marine Phos Reactor
Nextreef MR-1 Media Reactor
Precision Marine Substrate/Media Reactor

 

If you want to run carbon and phosphate media I would get 2 different reactors. That way you don't have to change out both medias if only one is exhausted.

The TLF unit is a good inexpensive unit, does not come with a pump, but lots and lots are sold.
Via Aqua poly reactor is made a little cheaper, but it does work well and comes with a pump. This is my favorite since it comes with the pump.

The MR-1 and PM are great units but quite a bit more expensive. They are made a lot better.

As for the flow rate, the reactor only needs a pretty slow flow rate. Normally much less than 100 gph for the normal 3x 10-12 inch units, so either of your pumps will be a lot larger than you need.

Basicly they are all pretty good units. They are all pretty easy to work with, so any of them will work. If it was me, I would go with 2 via aqua units, you get 2 pumps with them so you don't have to hook them together and take the both offline to maintain one of them.

Down side to doing this, you will have 2 more pumps that can fail and will take power and have power cords to deal with.

Kim

 

I run two of the PM's and they are great. Cost a little more but easy to clean and change media and that is worth the extra money to me.

 

I have/use this one.....
Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor 150

Works great and at a great price. It doesnt come with a pump, but if you split the return line, you wont need a pump. Luna

 

Ive been using the NextReef reactor with RowaPhos and Carbon at oposite ends. Flow rate is about 150 gph , I try to keep it slower for more contact time with the media . I change and clean everything every 8 weeks . Seems to be working good , should I seperate them into different reactors? Its allready getting really crowded around this little 24 gal AIO ..