Modern ReefKeeping

The SMR1 has finally been released!

Our solid media reactor (aka Biopellet reactor) is available NOW! Give the folks at Aquarium Specialty a call, they have the very first batch.

The SMR1 is a special edition of our standard reactors, with some very cool changes. It’s available in 2 sizes with 14 & 21 inch chambers.

Here’s  the most common questions so far:

What took so long?

Well, a few things. One, we tested the reactor / media combination A LOT. New fittings, new plenums, different pumps… it takes a while. Plus, we had to have that cool blue acrylic tubing custom cast… yep, just for us! Plus, there’s pictures to take, labels to design, websites to update… stuff takes a while!

What’s different?

Well, it’s white and blue. (Isn’t that enough?) That blue tubing drastically drops the PAR values inside… and cutting down on light reduces algae. We also completely redesigned the plenums to eliminate the sponges, added an ring to adjust the upper plenum height, and switched out the fittings with 5/8″ ID barbs.

Is it only for Biopellets?

Nope. It’s great for Zeolithic media, Seachem Matrix (one of our favorites), and all sorts of other media. Plus, you can add sponges later and still use carbon, GFO, etc.

Why does it cost more? Come on, its just blue……

Because we can? Seriously, it costs us quite a bit more to build. Cast tubing is 3x as expensive as extruded (what we use on the MR1 series) – while they’re both strong, the cast tubing is optically transparent, and the only way to get that color. Plus, those new plenums (literally) take us 4x as long to cut on the laser. It all adds up… the price is a little higher, but still half of what some of the competition charges.