Are reactors helpful?

[rk4435]

A reef keeping friend that lives nearby came by while I was doing my water change. After observing my whole inefficient set up he insisted that I need a reactor to lessen the need for water changes.

I'm too new to the hobby to truly understand the science behind it as well as the pros and cons. Does anyone have any advise?

 

[picoreefguy]

it really depends on the reactor and the media you plan on putting in it. the most common are carbon and gfo reactors gfo will absorb phosphates and some silicates and carbon is an all around absorption media that removes organic molecules and other dissolved organic matter that can turn your water yellow really well. as far as lessening the need for a water change they can lessen the need but not by much and besides nutrient export isnt the only reason to do a water change. you also need to replace elements that are taken up by the fish and corals, mostly corals, like calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, strontium and so on.

 

[picoreefguy]

+1 and lets not forget those biopelet reactors for those keeping an ultra low nutrient system and nitrate reactors for keeping those dang trates down lol. but as my old signature line said theres nothing better for your tank than a water change.

 

[elfloyd]

+1 to all above.

Reactors focus on a specific goal. Dosing is another method of adding back elements coral and fish remove from the water and theoretically can reduce the need for water changes. However, water changes will replace trace elements not covered by reactors/dosing, and removes some things carbon and skimmers will not remove.

Nothing eliminates the need for water changes.

 

[ralph atl]

+2 to all the above!

 

[franciscosalazar]

If you're not satisfied with your current method of running carbon, a reactor will optimize your carbon filtration.