Phosban Reactor used as a nitrate remover.

[OLDETOWNENORTHPETS]

Had a question from someone last night, Can you use a Phosban Reactor to remove nitrates. Just curious on if you can do this. If can or can't please explain.

[condiman]

depending on the reactor you are able to put many differant types of media in them for what your needs are. The small phosban reactors are nice but seem to clog up fast. I mainly use precision marine reactors and never had a problem with them.

[carym]

Found this...

The Kent Marine Phos Reactor removes unwanted algae causing phosphate from saltwater and freshwater aquariums. Can be used with any phosphate removing media. It can also be used with other forms of media, such as mixed bed resin, reef carbon or nitrate sponge to suit the needs of your aquarium.

[OneDummHikk]

To answer you specifically, phosban reactors won't have a big impact on nitrates, if any at all. Its funny because a lady local to me asked me the same thing a few weeks ago. The LFS here in hillbillyville suggested she buy a phosban reactor to try to get her nitrates down. Running a "nitrate sponge" with a reactor isn't the reactor doing anything with the nitrates, its the sponge and the sponge can be run without the reactor.

Removing the phosphates cuts down on algae growth and nitrates are reduced with algae and bacteria. So, an argument (although a bad one) could be made that a phosban reactor could actually cause higher nitrates by limiting the macro algae that would have processed the nitrates.

As far as the reactor itself is concerned, and other media in it, you can run any media you want in one and adjust the flowrate for that particular media. I assumed when you asked that you were referring to a reactor using GFO limiting nitrates rather than being able to use the reactor for some other media?

[condiman]

If you have a small tank like 30 gallons or less it would work but if you have a larger system then that precision marine or even use a cansiter filter would be better with the right media

[hansmatt]

I believe that some of the nitrate sponges are actually super-porous, finer grade rock, that gets de-nitriftying bacterial buildup quickly. I could be wrong, but it's not a chemical absorbant, like a sulfur de-nitrifier is. I believe that you want slow flow, like minijet 404 dialed down to dribble, for proper effect. I put some in a mesh bag then let it lay over the top of a bubbletrap in my sump, nice gradual flow.

[OLDETOWNENORTHPETS]

Thanks guys, I've always used the sponges for both nitrates and phosphates. Never used a reactor. Thanks. Matthew

[aquawolf]

I have a Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor that I run ChemiPure Elite in at all times. As others have said, it doesn't matter what type of media you put in the reactor as long as you adjust the flow accordingly. Sometimes it is a little bit of a pain to get the old media out and put new in without making a mess, but then again a lot of things in this hobby are like that.