How to Arrange my Sump with an SM100 & Carbon?

[johnarky]

Ok, I'm deciding the best configuration for my sump. I currently have it set up but I'm adding a carbon reactor. Would like to get opinions on the best way to arrange it.
I've got 2 pictures below. One is all the "pieces", the other is my "proposed idea".
Let me know your thoughts... Feel free to modify my pics :)

[SantaMonica]

Seems fine. Remember that a carbon reactor (or any reactor) can traps particles and add nutrients to the water, which also reduces the coral food in the water.

[Ace25]

Honestly, I wouldn't use a reactor for carbon. I think it would work much better if you just put it in a bag directly under the output of the scrubber. Not all reactors trap stuff. Bio-Pellet reactors have holes big enough for even mysis and bloodworms to pass right though them (not that I am recommending anyone use a bio-pellet reactor with an ATS). Plus if you use carbon in a reactor, you are supposed to replace the carbon every 3-7 days, so the reactor gets cleaned out quite frequently (one reason I don't recommend carbon in a reactor, it requires too much work). GFO usually last much longer and works better in a reactor, and with sponges, that type of reactor can certainly trap food as anyone that has used one and washed out the filters can attest to. Since you are not supposed to 'tumble' carbon due to the risk of breaking it up and getting carbon dust in the tank, it really isn't all that reactor friendly unless you pack it full to the top, then you have to worry about channeling of the water when you do that.

[RkyRickstr]

I use the very fine .08 carbon. I think reactors are much more efficient ace.. with a valve i control the flow so it doesnt tumple.. in a filter bag on a drain there is no way to stop it from tumbling and grinding.

I use a few sponges to push it to the top and regulate flow with a valve. Works great.

As far as traping stuff goes, im not worried.. if it wasnt there it would be rotting in the sump or inside the rock somewhere.

[Ace25]

yes, reactors are much more efficient, for media that works via tumbling. For media that doesn't tumble, they actually do more harm (like in a bio-pellet reactor, if there isn't enough flow to tumble they stick, and then channel water through veins in the media which greatly reduces the effectiveness of the media).

If the media bag with carbon is on the floor of the sump, and the exit of the scrubber is at the top of the water level, they shouldn't be enough force to make the media tumble in a media bag, especially when you zip up the media bag so the carbon is tight enough not to tumble, but loose enough to let water flow through it. If you watch the BRS video on their dual reactor, they even say to pack the carbon in the reactor to the top so it doesn't tumble. On their dual media reactor you really can't use a valve because the first chamber is GFO, which requires a lot of flow to tumble it. First day you may close the valve slightly, but after 24 hours there is usually enough 'gunk' in the sponge filter that reduces flow they you then turn the valve full open just to keep the GFO tumbling.

Watch this video and see how the carbon reacts in a reactor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJGTKxQjqEY


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yba8hkQ6WC8

[RkyRickstr]

You might set it up so it doesnt tumble like that but then how do you know if its getting pushed through the media and not just through the sides of the filter bag?..

The way i ran gfo and carbon was mixed together in the same chamber.. the carbon doesnt allow the gfo to solidify and it gets the ling contact time it needs for more efficiency.

I used to drop a bag of gfo in the sump and it wasnt as effective.

I rather use the sponge and push it to the top, that way Im sure of how much flow is going through it and not arround it.

[johnarky]

Thanks guys.
I've used media bags in the past and I've had mixed results.
I'm going to give a reactor a try and see how I like it.
I'm also using the Rox .08 carbon and a BRS reactor. I'm going to use per-filters on the reactor pump (mj1200) and ill change those out at least once a week (more if necessary).
I'm not using any mechanical filtration so I don't mind if the per filter sucks some stuff out but ill definitely keep an eye on it.

Any thoughts on running the carbon before or after the ATS or does it not really make a difference?

[SantaMonica]

Chemically it does not matter. It's just a matter of trapping particles and loose algae.

[marineguy]

Can you not just reverse the flow in the reactor to stop it tumbling?

[RkyRickstr]

No, you will have to put a valve on it to reduce flow.. A mj1200 is too much flow imo.. I got myself a small rio pump and it had a small valve right on it.

[johnarky]

Thanks everyone.

Actually ended up going with the Carbon Reactor Pump and the Carbon Return both in the center chamber of the sump with the main return pump. Seemed like the best place to keep junk out of the reactor.

The BRS reactor comes with a valve to to adjust the flow so no problem there.

Water is already much clearer after 1 day. I'm happy thus far.... We'll see what the future holds!