Reactor

[Chef]

Do you guys have reactors in yout tank?
I know they are made to reduce the phosphate in the tank but could i buy couple and filled them with biomax or any biological media? Or would be better to keep a phosphate removal media?

I currently have a 55 gallon tank with 2 fluval 406, and aquaclear 70 actualy thinking of getting another fluval 406.

The all reason of this is, i am opening a second restaurant and i have to leave my fishtank behind so the only person that can take care of it, is my mother but she doesnt know much about fish and dont want her to do extra work. So i wanna make sure i have great filtration, so all she has to do is 10% water chnge a week.
Any suggestion will be appreciated. Due space i couldnt get fluval FX5

 

[KcMopar]

Why do you have a phosphate problem? What is the level of phosphate in your tank? Water changes should take care of phosphates. Normally phosphate is not an issue with freshwater.

 

[Chef]

No Sir i do not have a phosphate problem now. I was just thinking to put more bio media in the reactor, trying to get more filtration in my tank. And trying to avoind problems that my mother cant fix.

 

[KcMopar]

Sometimes to much bio media can create a lot of nitrates. IF your nitrates are easy to handle now with only 10% weekly water changes I would let it alone. To much bio media and you can create what is called a nitrate factory. I am still trying to get a grip on this phenomenon as I have witnessed it myself on my 150G.

You have plenty of filter on it. Its hard to beat those aquaclears!!!!!

 

[Chef]

Oh wow didnt know that, i thought the more the better, i guess i was wrong lol. Yes so far i love my 2 fluval 406, i left the aquaclear 70 so that my 2 fluval would have time to cycle. But if i get another fluval 406 i will take the aquaclear down. Originally i got one fluval 406 and one aquatop 500 with uv sterilizer, but arived wet and very dirty twice. The company said they test them, ok but why ship them wet and dirty? Plus why would you test each filter? Is there a problem with them? So i returned it and got anothe fluval. I will buy a seperate UV sterilizer.

 

[KcMopar]

Keep the Aqua clear as it handles nitrates very well if you are still using the sponge in the bottom (IMO). I guess the sponge slows the flow enough for Anaerobic bacteria to grow that consumes nitrate. Just a theory but, I have less nitrate with my aqua clear 110 installed then when its not. Dont be TO fooled or sold on the canister filter type. I have had many of both over the year and always lean toward the ones that hang on the back. I so like the canister for the flow they make and mine only have a bit filter floss and a little bio media in them.

 

[Chef]

ok will do. Ill keep the aquaclear, i love that too, have had aquaclear for 6 years and never had a problem with it.

 

[KcMopar]

If I was going to make an upgrade I would get the aquaclear 110 before I would get another canister. Those Aquaclears dont look like much but the sure so work and last for ever. What kind of restaurant are you opening?

 

[Chef]

I own an italian restaurant in PA, but the new place will be a seafood restaruant and bar in Ocean City MD. We are looking to open in march.

 

[KcMopar]

Thats kewl, good luck on restaurant Sir.

 

[Chef]

Thank you Sir!!!