Chaeto reactors.

[Cheddah93]

Was looking it to making a chaeto reactor in place of a Refugium for a reefer 170 I recently purchased. Was looking for some feedback on people who may have one or used one. Main reason being is space inside the sump does not allow for a refugium on these setups and I’ve always been pro refugium on previous setups. This will be my first tank in about 4 years and just getting back into the hobby.

 

[Chris A.]

I have a diy macro reactor and they do become a pain to clean

 

[Cheddah93]

I have a diy macro reactor and they do become a pain to clean

What does it entail as far as cleaning minus removing some and re installing?

 

[this is me]

I have a diy macro reactor and they do become a pain to clean

Lol. I was about to say a macro reactor looks like more work to clean. I bought an XL NEXT reactor(or something like that) and some LED strip but never set it up. Just the thought of removing the pump tubing, removing the LED strips, that wraps around the reactor so that it doesn't get wet, to remove some cheato seems like work. The reactor is also small-ish and the macros are on a photo steroid so probably have to remove it very often.
I look at my 20gallon fuge and said eff that to the macro reactor.

 

[Cheddah93]

On the tank I bought it doesn’t really leave any option for a refugium or any kind of algae... just picking up a reefer 170 and I’ve seen people turn the incorporated ato into a small refugium but I feel that it doesn’t benifit much in doing so and with the size I was looking into a possible algae/chaeto reactor due to the restrictions under cabinet.

 

[Chris A.]

I can dismantle mine pretty easily but then I have to bring it over to the sink and pull the macro out and bring it back to the tank. Keep in mind you’ll have to clear the tubes of water so it doesn’t go everywhere and clean up after yourself at the sink. It works if you have no other option. I’m going to setup my 40b and get rid of it lol