Reef Discussion

[ryan1986]

Dont kill me right away.

Ok so when I bought my redsea max 250 he had a 301 fluval canister filter running on it which i got for free,

I haven't used it since buying tank.

NOW thoughts why cant I clean and modify the canister filter and run it as an algae reactor, so internally would be just 2 filter pads and LEDs to grow macro algae to lower nitrate and phosphate.

I dont think I can run a sump as cant drill my tank and internal reactors can only be a max of 3.5inch wide so not big at all, so if I can use the canister filter as an external reactor it would be a nice large volume and conveniently out of the way.

Thought???

 

[ryan1986]

With LEDs I thought can

A. drill hole on side of canister feed led strip in and silicone it up.

Or

B. Cut large hole in base of canister and put a clear one end tube inside and silicone it in. Then place LEDs inside of tube.

 

[slin1977]

Fill your canister with Siporax and watch your Nitrate and Phosphate drop.
You will need to start dosing Nitrate and Phosphate ( first world problems ehh )
My 10 liters Siporax could reduce 50 ppm Nitrate to 0 ppm overnight.
No need for modifications or toying around with leds, just good old fashion aquarium technology that’s been around for decades.
My recommendation is 1 liter Siporax per 30 liter tank water.

 

[Sam Parker]

yeah forget the leds, will cause you trouble in a DIY version.

Siporax will work fine, just keep the water supply line to the cannister away from detritus.

 

[ryan1986]

Fill your canister with Siporax and watch your Nitrate and Phosphate drop.
You will need to start dosing Nitrate and Phosphate ( first world problems ehh )
My 10 liters Siporax could reduce 50 ppm Nitrate to 0 ppm overnight.
No need for modifications or toying around with leds, just good old fashion aquarium technology that’s been around for decades.
My recommendation is 1 liter Siporax per 30 liter tank water.

Seriously is it that effective. Wtf isn't it used in every tank.

 

[ryan1986]

Ok so I read a discussion in here about siporax and matrix.

How many L would I need for a 250L tank.

Also does the matrix remove phosphates or just nitrates.

 

[Sam Parker]

It's effective if setup well. Can be expensive (although people are also now using garden scoria!).

It's almost too good to be true and takes time to establish - that's why people aren't using it more. Working out how much to use can also be tricky as if you have too much, you will need to dose nutrients back in.

Will tackle both nitrate and phosphate.

 

[ryan1986]

It's effective if setup well. Can be expensive (although people are also now using garden scoria!).

It's almost too good to be true and takes time to establish - that's why people aren't using it more. Working out how much to use can also be tricky as if you have too much, you will need to dose nutrients back in.

Will tackle both nitrate and phosphate.

Yer bunarong sell matrix for $30 per 1L so looking at a few hundred to set up which is crazy.

I will probably stuff a good canister filter but I am thinking cut 1 side out, put a clear panel in and do 3 strips of silicone and then buy a grow led globe and shine in. I have some macro algae already in my tank :( so only cost is some silicone, clear panel and grow globes.

And the canister is just sitting there anyway so why not make use of it.

 

[Sam Parker]

I doubt you'll get it to seal up again, but if its cost you nothing - give it a hack :)

 

[ryan1986]

Would silicone seal plastic and acrylic.??

Thought cut out a panel on side, (have overlap) put clear acrylic panel in and have 3 beeds of silicone, I.e inside join, sandwich section, outside join, then shine a light in to grow algae. Cut media basket to match window.

Found this globe and acrylic at jaycar

 

[Sam Parker]

be careful of heat!!!

 

[ryan1986]

be careful of heat!!!

I will, I'd love to just run a sump but cant drill the redsea max tanks and I have no idea how else to run a sump or except using this filter like a reactor.