Filtration is the process of removing unwanted particles and other substances from the tank’s water. There are typically three types of filtration done in reef aquariums mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration.
With mechanical filtration, there is usually some sort of filter media used where water is pushed through the media and the media traps particulate matter. There are many different kinds of media available including sponges, pads, and most the most commonly run with a sump, filter socks.
Chemical filtration is another tool in the reef keeper’s arsenal that can be deployed for a litany of reasons. Most revolve around changing water chemistry and removing certain components that lead to poor water quality. There are many different types of media and equipment used to maximize media effectiveness. For most of my tanks, I use only minimal amounts of Carbon and GFO. The Carbon filters out impurities and polishes the water. The GFO strips nitrate out of the water and helps control algae.
Biological filtration is the natural breakdown process of waste and bacteria happening inside the reef aquarium. Providing the right conditions and surface area for bacteria to populate can have a large positive effect on a reef aquarium.
Here are some of the various filtration products that have worked well for me in different scenarios that I recommend.
Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) Dual GFO and Carbon Reactor
Situation: I like to run small amounts of carbon and GFO on my aquariums. I have this system on both my 75-gallon reef tank and my 210-gallon reef tank. On the 75 gallon tank, I have the dual reactor plumbed into my return line and on the 210 it is fed through a small pump that pulls water from the sump to the reactor and back into the sump.
Background: The BRS dual reactor allows for the use of GFO and Carbon in the aquarium system. The system uses two twists on media cartridges that can be filled with media. Water is pulled through both cartridges filled with media via a pump or hard plumbed into the return line. The canisters can hold about three cups of carbon and two cups of GFO.
The two cartridges are the same size, but less GFO is used so that it can move and not turn into a solid. The dimensions are 14.5” H x 14” W x 5.25”. The reactor can be hung up or placed in the sump.
Assessment: These are very easy to initially set up. Hard plumbing takes a bit longer and you want to make sure you have the right connection before attempting. Setting up using an additional pump is a breeze through. The reactor comes with the necessary lines and a valve that can be adjusted to create a slight tumble in the gfo. The canisters easily spin on and off allowing for easy media change and cleaning.
Recommendation: If running chemical filtration with GFO and Carbon is something you want to do in your system this dual reactor does the job well.
The reactor is built well, easy to install, easy to use, and is very durable. The price for these reactors is a great value as well.
