MEDIA REACTOR - AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO AQUARIUM FILTRATION
When it comes to filtering water in aquariums, we may be faced with a variety of options on the market. One of the newest and most effective filtration methods is the media reactor.
Water filtration is one of the most important elements in maintaining the biological balance in an aquarium. If you do not provide adequate filtration in your aquarium, the water quality in it can deteriorate greatly, which can lead to devastating consequences for its inhabitants. You probably already know that poor water quality can shorten the life span of fish and make them more prone to contracting various diseases - so you should do everything you can to ensure that the water quality in your aquarium is at an appropriate level.
A common problem with many aquarium water filters is that they require constant maintenance. Some filters need to be flushed weekly and have the filter media replaced once a month. Not only can this be a time-consuming and expensive process, but it can also negatively affect the biological balance in the aquarium. Beneficial bacteria play an important role in maintaining the nitrogen cycle in the aquarium - helping to recycle waste products by converting harmful substances such as ammonia and nitrite into less harmful substances called nitrates. These bacteria live mostly in the substrate of your tank, but filter media is the next place where they are most heavily concentrated. By flushing your filter and replacing the filter media, you can wipe out the population of beneficial bacteria.
What is a media reactor?
Also called a phosphate reactor, a media reactor is an advanced method of chemical filtration used in marine and freshwater aquariums. These devices are very different from traditional aquarium filters - they have a tubular design with inlet and outlet valves located at the top of the device. The tube itself can be filled with the filter material of your choice and then submerged in the aquarium. These devices typically use the upward flow principle to fluidize chemical filter media, thereby increasing its efficiency. The water is evenly distributed throughout the reactor, which increases surface contact with the filter media. These devices are available in several sizes from mini size for nano aquariums, to larger devices.
Types of filter media
There are several filter media options depending on the type of reactor you choose. One of the most popular reactor types is the PhosBan reactor - this device helps absorb and remove phosphates and other pollutants from the aquarium. High phosphate levels in the aquarium are associated with a number of problems, including algae growth - installing one of these devices in your aquarium will serve as the most effective method of combating the algae infestation. This type of reactor gets its name from the PhosBan filter material. This filter material is effective for both marine and freshwater aquariums, and should be replaced no more often than once every 3-5 months.
Some other popular aquarium reactor filter media include bio granules, GFO and carbon.
Bio pellets are tiny pellets that can be used as filter media in a water reactor. These pellets are designed to improve water quality by improving the nitrification process, removing nitrates and phosphates from the water. Biological pellets are generally recommended for use in marine and reef aquariums for algae control.
GFO is a granular iron oxide filter media and is used to remove phosphates and silicates from all types of aquariums. This type of filter media has the highest absorption rate for phosphate, and it does not tend to leach back into the water like some filter media. In a freshwater aquarium, GFO products greatly reduce algae problems. In saltwater aquariums, it performs the same function while reducing hard coral growth. Other advantages of the GFO material are that it does not change the pH level of the water, has a high binding capacity and does not take up much space in the media reactor.
The third type of popular filter media for media reactors is carbon or, more specifically, activated carbon. Activated carbon is one of the most used types of filter media in various aquarium filters. It is designed specifically for cleaning aquarium water, filtering out toxins and other dissolved wastes in the aquarium. Carbon comes in a variety of sizes and porosities, and it tends to have a high absorption capacity.
If you are tired of replacing the filter material in your aquarium water filter every few weeks, or if you need a more efficient filtration option in your aquarium, consider a media reactor.
We introduced one type of media reactor to our readers in the article "MINIMAX MEDIA REACTOR - THE INNOVATIVE FILTER FOR A SEA AQUARIOME".
