Prime 7 Greatest Biopellet Reactors [Reviewed & Explained]

Most newbie aquarium fanatics make an analogous mistake. They don’t enable nitrifying useful microorganisms to develop. These organisms, particularly micro organism, break down ammonia into nitrite, and in the end into nitrate.

Given sufficient time and acceptable diet (carbon), these bacterial colonies maintain themselves within the gravels and filter sponges. Nevertheless, we use biopellets like GFO, carbon, polymers, and sawdust to additional help their existence.

Due to the porous properties and carbon construction of biopellets, the bacterial colonies are given sufficient house to develop and do their job of breaking down the natural pollution extra effectively.

Among the many biopellet reactors we tried, the Reef Octopus BR70 Biopellet Reactor is general probably the most handy and environment friendly product. The underside cone and mesh design, aided by sturdy materials and a smaller footprint, makes it your best option for the reactor.

Hello, I’m Ushnish, an aquarium fanatic with a decade of expertise, will probably be reviewing a number of Biopellet reactors right now.

Greatest Biopellet Reactors in 2024

1. Lifegard Aquatics Turbo Reactor – Medium Aspect Move

Appropriate for small to medium dimension tanks, Lifegard Aquatics Aspect Move Reactor can be utilized with biopellets like GFO and carbon beads. All through our testing, the pump and the reactor carried out fairly persistently.

Nevertheless, as a result of the reactor isn’t manufactured for larger aquariums, the pump circulation is probably not sufficient to rotate water in bigger tanks.

Necessary Options

Being constructed with polymers and rubber sealers, there isn’t any chance of corrosion on this biopellet reactor. Regardless of the fixed presence of air, the water high quality isn’t affected resulting from corrosion. Nevertheless, the rubber sealants might erode over time.

Lifegard Aquatics makes use of the aspect circulation turbo design to make sure a turbulent motion of water and biopellets. Because the pellets “vortex” within the water, the reactor achieves most effectivity and minimal pellet erosion.

The upper the circulation of water, the sooner you’ll erode the biopellets. With aquarium circulation management on the Lifegard Aquatics biopellet reactor, you possibly can optimize enter circulation to suit your necessities higher. Furthermore, a slower rotation on this case is way more efficient than a sooner operation.

• Minimal Area Requirement

This biopellet reactor is comparatively small in dimension and might be fitted with out pipes and valves. The small 5 x 5 x 16 inches dimension of the product has a negligible footprint and might be squeezed between your filters.

Execs

• Constituted of sturdy and high-quality acrylic.
• Straightforward to arrange. Shouldn’t take you greater than 10 minutes to set it up.
• Zero necessities for pipes and valves.
• Massive O-ring seals to make sure zero water leakage.

Cons

• Underwhelming pump efficiency. However, because the water flows from the perimeters, the velocity must be sufficient for many aquariums.
• The product is a bit noisy.
• Pricing is on the upper aspect contemplating the options supplied.

Lifegard Aquatics Medium Aspect Move Turbo Reactor is the appropriate one for small to medium-sized tanks. 

You may take a look at The Aquarium Information’s article on the Greatest Pond Pump.

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2. Reef Octopus BR70 Biopellet Reactor

For many who’re in search of a sturdy, environment friendly, and cost-effective biopellet reactor, the Reef Octopus BR70 is for them. Constructed with premium-grade acrylic, this reactor can be utilized for tanks as much as 80 gallons.

Though it lacks within the equipment division with the absence of pump and fittings, it regains the status with efficiency.

Necessary Options

• Fluidizing Cone Backside Design

In a proprietary design, the Fluidizing Cone Backside of BR70 allows the biopellets to all the time keep suspended within the water and evenly disperses the circulation upwards.

This enables longer contact between water and pellets with out proscribing the circulation.

On the prime, mesh display screen safety permits the biopellets to transfer freely by the unit with out clogging the output or disrupting the water circulation.

BR70 has one of many smallest footprints amongst biopellet reactors available in the market. With solely 3.875” X 3.875” in dimension, it may be squeezed wherever between your protein skimmers to the again of the tank.

• 400mL Biopellet Load Capability

The reactor unit holds 400mL of biopellets. Nevertheless, because the unit doesn’t include a bundled pump, we advocate Sicce Syncra Silent 1.5 Pump (357 GPH) to maneuver and droop the pellets effectively.

Execs

• Particularly designed for stable carbon dosing biopellets.
• Reactor leads are mounted with screws to forestall leakage.
• Biopellets don’t clog the reactor.
• Doesn’t require a heavy circulation charge.

Cons

• Want Valves for circulation management
• The pump isn’t included within the package deal

The Reef Octopus BR70 is ideal for energy customers with bigger aquariums in confined areas. 

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3. Accel Aquatics BioPellet and Filter Media Reactor – FR-16

The FR-16 is the smallest mannequin within the Accel Aquatics BioPellet vary. With a media capability of as much as 300mL, this biopellet reactor is appropriate for small to medium aquariums.

As a number of applied sciences have been used to create a robust water circulation, the product could seem a bit loud for front room utilization.

Necessary Options

A penductor or a circulation accelerator has been used within the mannequin to maintain the biopellets transferring in a powerful turbulent movement. The circulation accelerator pushes the water circulation by a slender nozzle to drive the pellets to maneuver sooner.

The FR-16 is designed to generate a turbulent and sooner circulation with no need a robust pump. The inverted conical backside, under the vinyl tube, works as an extension of the accelerator and doesn’t let the pellets clump or accumulate within the backside.

Due to the circulation accelerator and inverted conical backside, you don’t want to make use of a robust pump. A smaller 150-300 GPH pump is sufficient for the simplest pellet actions.

• Appropriate for nitrate-reducing biopellet

Though the reactor was designed for nitrogen-reducing biopellets just like the NP-Lively Pearls, it really works fairly effectively with GFO and carbon pellets.

Execs

• Small Footprint of solely 5.5” in diameter
• Extra highly effective water circulation at a a lot decrease pump drive, even as much as 25%.
• The pricing of the product is within the inexpensive and cost-effective vary.

Cons

• The FR-16 biopellet reactor is loud. With pellets tumbling and water accelerating, it’s a bit louder than the competitors.
• The pump and tubings aren’t included.

The FR-16 biopellet reactor is optimum for smaller and medium aquariums with high-bioload fish like Oscars, Arowana, and Cichlids.  

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4. Two Little Fishies ATLPBR150 GFO PhosBan Reactor 150

With the potential to cater to aquariums as much as 150 gallons in dimension, PhosBan 150 biopellet reactor is appropriate to deal with 200 grams of GFO and carbon pellets. Regardless of its lack of simple set up, the cost-effectiveness trumps all of it.

Necessary Options

A dispersion plate is used to attain media fluidity within the reactor chamber. The Upflow Know-how, aided by the slender design, helps preserve the biopellet media suspended and transferring. For carbon, it’s advisable to fill your entire column for optimum effectiveness.

A smaller pump of a most of 20-30 GPH is advisable for ATLPBR150 to operate. Something greater than that can transfer the pellets sooner and put undue strain on the column partitions.

Premium-grade vinyl and rubber O-rings are used to fabricate the mannequin. Whereas leakage is prevalent in a number of joints, many of the unit appears fairly sturdy.

The worth level of this product is its main promoting level. Regardless of the presence of different premium merchandise, the cost-efficiency of this mannequin entices quite a lot of newbie aquarium fanatics.

Execs

• Making it probably the most standard biopellet reactors on the market, PhosBan Reactor 150 is cost-effective and sturdy,
• The advisable circulation charge of solely 20-30 GPH makes it much less noisy and extra environment friendly.
• Simply removes Inexperienced Hair Algae from bigger tanks.

Cons

• Troublesome to keep up and disassemble. The hanging bracket is connected to the bottom.
• Poor path for set up.
• Materials high quality points and leakage.
• The pump and equipment aren’t included within the product.

PhosBan Reactor 150 is appropriate for hobbyists on a constrained finances and tanks with excessive algae infestation.

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5. Aquatop MR-30 Media Reactor

The Aquatop MR-30, with 152 GPH capability and help of as much as 200 gallons, is without doubt one of the most cost-effective biopellet reactors on the market. Though cheaper, the reactor comes geared up with a pump, equipment, and a dependable filtration system.

Necessary Options

• Reverse water circulation design

The effectivity of MR-30 is maximized by a reverse circulation design channeling the water by each the biopellet media and sediment discharge filter.

The product makes use of premium-quality acrylic for sturdiness and nil flaking. Subsequently, dangerous polymers aren’t launched into the water—retaining the fish protected.

MR-30 makes use of seal-tight recessed O-rings to make sure zero leakage and simpler removing of the lid. The O-rings are simply replaceable and don’t corrode in the long run.

The SWP-360 pump included with the product is empowered by the bundled equipment and adjustable water circulation characteristic. Alter the water circulation to maintain the biopellets suspended and slowly transferring.

Execs

• Straightforward to place collectively.
• Mechanical sponges are included.
• Value-effective
• Each accent and pump are included.

Cons

• Bigger footprint in comparison with effectivity.
• The pump is a bit underpowered for GFO suspension.
• Carbon Dose clogs the biopellet reactor.

MR-30 is ideal for bigger aquariums with small areas to deal with a biopellet reactor. 

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6. Two Little Fishies ATLPBR550 GFO PhosBan Reactor 550

Just like PhosBan 150 however with sufficient column house and circulation to help aquariums of as much as 550 gallons, the PhosBan Reactor 500 is a fan favourite. Compared to the previous one, Phosban 550 has a max media capability of 750 grams and a max circulation charge of 250 GPH.

Necessary Options

This 550 variant of PhosBan makes use of the identical Upflow expertise as its smaller model. The circulation of water is directed from the underside by reflecting it on the dispersion plate and thru the biopellet media.

• Small footprint of 4.5” X 6.5”

The 550 reactor has a smaller footprint per gallon than the 150 model. With solely 4.5” in size and 6.5” in width, it’s simpler to position it close to the aquarium.

• Larger capability for bigger aquariums

Mitigating the problem of utilizing a number of biopellet reactors, PhosBan Reactor 550 nitrifies bigger tanks with ease. You can also use it in your smaller aquarium for sooner disintegration.

• Good for HOB purposes

The equipment and built-in hanging bracket of the PhosBan 550 make it good for hang-on-the-back (HOB) operations. It additionally features a ball valve for circulation management.

Execs

• Contains needed equipment and a ball valve.
• Straightforward to put in and take away
• Value-effective

Cons

• O-rings are brittle and will lose form.
• The construct high quality might’ve been a bit higher.
• A pump isn’t included within the package deal.

PhosBan 550 is sufficient for bigger 500+ gallon aquariums.

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7. OCTO OCT-MF300B 2.5 Inch Media Reactor

Geared up with each needed accent and an affordable pump, the OCT-MF300B biopellet reactor is a beast. Empowered by its 2.5” column and 95 GPH max circulation, this product is able to nitrifying your medium-sized aquarium inside per week.

Necessary Options

As with different Reef Octopus merchandise, OCT-MF300B additionally equips itself with a cone backside design for higher water circulation and media suspension. The design ensures that the media, particularly GFO and carbon, don’t accumulate close to the underside.

Your MF300B might be hung over rims (HOR) for higher help and effectivity. Nevertheless, resulting from its smaller footprint, it may be squeezed nearly wherever.

OTP300 feed pump, though not fairly highly effective, is sufficient for media suspension and circulation needed for bacterial operations.

• Customizable to your wants

Due to the product’s versatility and bundled tools, it may be used as a filter, reactor, skimmer, and even SUMP.

Execs

• Straightforward to arrange
• Massive media capability for medium aquariums
• Comes geared up with a pump and all equipment
• Nice as carbon and GFO reactor

Cons

• Absence of froth filter. Sludge can construct up over time.
• The pump is simply too highly effective for GFO and the circulation management system doesn’t work effectively

OCTO OCT-MF300B is finest for medium tanks with excessive quantities of ammonia and hair algae.

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Shopping for Information

We’ve examined and reviewed only some of the perfect biopellet reactors. Nevertheless, because the record isn’t exhaustive, there are hundred different reactors accessible available in the market to fulfil your function. On this part, we’ll focus on the parameters that we’ve thought of whereas reviewing the merchandise.

Therapy Capability

When shopping for a biopellet reactor, all the time think about therapy capability as the first contributing issue. Disregarding wastage, you could select a bigger capability mannequin for a smaller aquarium. However, a smaller capability reactor can’t cater to a bigger quantity.

Be aware: 1 US gallon (liquid) is the same as roughly 231 cubic inches or 3.78 liters.

Reactor Design and Configuration

Numerous totally different design parts are sometimes embodied by producers to maximise operational effectivity. Nevertheless, not each fancy title is efficient in nitrifying your aquarium.

Guarantee gradual motion of pellets, full circulation of circulation, suspension of beads, and dispersion of water whereas selecting your subsequent biopellet reactor.

Course of Management

A biopellet reactor, at most, is able to providing monitoring and circulation management when it comes to course of management. Guarantee that your most popular product comes with each of those options.

Nevertheless, the circulation management part is extra depending on the pump than the reactor itself.

Upkeep Necessities

You’ll usually want to scrub your reactor and exchange the beads to maintain its efficiency. Straightforward set up, removing, cleansing, and pellet substitute must be thought of when shopping for a biopellet reactor.

A extra sturdy reactor ought to assist you to clear the merchandise a number of occasions earlier than giving up on the physique or the O-rings. Clogging of the pipes and pump breakdown are additionally prevalent In some cheaper options.

Pump Energy Consumption

As you have to preserve your reactor operating 24×7, energy consumption must be given due weightage. You probably have a number of aquariums and reactors, it could add as much as a major quantity.

Be aware: circulation management techniques usually put a pressure on the pumps and improve motor resistance. It might probably improve the facility consumption of the setup.

Reliability

You shouldn’t neglect the monitor information of the producer, mannequin, and person experiences when shopping for the biopellet reactor. You may anticipate to get higher buyer help, product help, and substitute elements from a reputed producer than a horrible one.

Value-effectiveness

Whereas not within the exorbitant zone, biopellet reactors don’t come low-cost. Starting from a number of {dollars} to some hundred, decide what’s finest in line with your finances. All the time keep in mind that the basics of all of the reactors are principally the identical.

Leakage, sturdiness, energy consumption, upkeep, and help principally contribute to the distinction in pricing.

FAQs

The Backside Line

After cautious consideration and prolonged utilization, we consider that the Reef Octopus BR70 is the most suitable choice as your biopellet reactor. Whereas a bit on the pricey aspect, it has mesh display screen safety and a backside cone design that’s unparalleled when it comes to comfort and effectivity.

Nevertheless, you could want to purchase a separate pump from the identical producer to maximise its efficiency.