Questions on Phos reactor and refugiums

[FishDaAx]

Hey guys, so I am putting together a new tank and I have yet to add a refugium or reactor to any of my previous tanks. My questions are... If the point of a refugium is to lower phosphate levels through macro algae, then why would I need a phosphate reactor on the sump as well? Won't the reactor remove the phosphates starving out the macro algae? Should I use a fuge and then put something else in the reactor? Okay guys think that's all the questions lol. Any input would be great. Thanks!

[dragonfisher33]

personally i believe reactors like GFO removes the phosphate at a faster rate than macro algaes. for macro algae, you have to have fuge light running over the macro algae, allow it to grow, then harvest and throw away in order to remove phosphate from the system. albeit it's natural and doesn't require constant supply of the pellets, it's more dependent on time. also, it never hurts to have both as there's no such thing as too clean water and i'm sure macro algae will survive even if you believe there's not enough phosphate in the system. lastly, i like macro algae because it provides food/housing for the macro fauna, ie pods.

[Sniperhank]

I run both on my system. Running media like GFO only removes phosphates where macro algaes consume both nitrate and phosphate, where it consumes much more nitrate than phosphate. Though there are 'anti-nitrate' media out there...in all honesty I've never seen anything as effective as water changes and gfo/phosguard.

[FishDaAx]

Alright I will run both on my new tank build

[Sniperhank]

Originally Posted by FishDaAx

Alright I will run both on my new tank build

You don't have to. I would go slow with it rather than spending all the money all at once. See where the levels are at with a refugium since it is pretty cheap to set up. If you still want them lower, then add a reactor.

[FishDaAx]

Well I found this guy at petco on clearance for $17.99 sometime last year so I have had it sitting, waiting for a tank to use it on.

[Sniperhank]

Then you win!

[FishDaAx]

Woot woot! Haha so, where is the best place to put the reactor pump and should I hang it on the sump or to a wall? I am thinking doing intake and skimmer in section one, fuge in part 2, then return and reactor is last section? That ok?

[Sniperhank]

That is exactly how you should set it up. Just make sure you have a filter sock on your intake.

[FishDaAx]

I was planning on that. But I just have to figure out the size sump to DIY. I have a 24x24x24 cube and I DIY a stand that is 26x26x36tall what can I get to fit in there. Don't want to use a 10g but I will if I have no other choice

[Sniperhank]

Standard Aquarium Dimensions Chart and Dimensions to Gallons Calculator
A 20 won't fit...but keep in mind you can use things other than other aquariums for sumps. Anything that is rated at being safe to hold drinking water will work if you are creative enough.

[FishDaAx]

Hmmmm gears are turning now haha. I will see what I can find. thanks for the help! I will post back when I find a sump. All I am missing for this build is the sump and lighting. Here is the stand I made and the reef ready tank I got from my LFS

[Sniperhank]

I use a cheap clip on work light I bought at walmart for like 3 dollars...though keep in mind that the better the lighting you put over the refugium the better the algae will grow!

[FishDaAx]

Oh! No i have a fuge light, I mean DT lighting