reactor question

Hi New subscriber to the board here. I recognize a few names from other boards. I belong to Window Tinting message boards also and have found that the planted aquarium world is just as small as the window tinting world.

I have had a mild to bad case of BGA for quite sometime. I have used the three day blackout per Tom's instructions successfully only to have the BGA return.

I am useing pressurized C02 with a reactor 200 I ordered from Floridadriftwood. It is the one with the powerhead on the top with the sponge on the bottom (that gets all clogged up and falls out every two to three days). This reactor is supposed to be rated for large tanks up to 200g. I can't seem to get my C02 level past 24ppm (per a redsea test kit). No matter how fast I pump the C02 into the reactor the C02 level never gets past 24ppm. I was thinking that this reactor isn't big enough. Could I be correct? Would an inline reactor like the reactor 1000 with the black bioballs work better?

Forgive my ignorance or lack of terms. I am new to planted aquariums and am typeing this at 0430 9 1/2 hours into a 12 hour shift.

Thanks in advance for your replies. I am glad I joined.

 

Re: reactor question

Thanks for the replys.

I did dose KNO3 after the blackout. I am thinking that the C02 isn't high enough and that aloud the BGA to return.

I dose
KNO3 1 tablespoon Sat-Mon-Wed
K2SO4 1 tablespoon Sat-Mon-Wed
KH2PO4 1/4 teaspoon Sat-Mon-Wed
CSM+B 1/4 teaspoon Sun-Tues-Thurs

50% Water changes on Saturday.

I was also doesing to much KH2PO4 when I first got started. I don't have anyway of testing for phosphates out of the tap. There is alot of farming around here so I am guessing that the phosphate level in the tap is high. I am going to cut back on KH2PO4 and see if it works.

I am going to do another blackout along with a new reactor and start over again.

 

Re: reactor question

Laith it's a 200g. I just have the substrate and a few pieces of lace rock. I am figureing it is more like a 180g.

Hope I am not overdueing it.