CONIC Bio-reactor from CAD lights is a plug and play biopellet mixer

By Jake Adams on Jan 27, 2012

The CONIC Bio-Reactor from CAD Lights is a thoughtfully designed aquarium devices which is a lot more than just a nozzle in a tube. Like the CPR media reactors, the CONIC Bio-Reactor is endowed with a primary forceful flow to aggressively stir the solid carbon dosing biopellets and a secondary rhythmic motion that helps to ensure thorough turnover.

The use of biopellets in aquariums has lost a lot of momentum as reefers realize that it can be somewhat problematic without the right set up but the CONIC Bio-Reactor has some features that address the issues of using biopellets. In addition to the more deliberate mixing of biopellets the CONIC Bio-Reactor is outfitted with a top-mounted outlet which can easily be plumbed to be directed towards the protein skimmer compartment of your pump, or right into the intake of recirculating protein skimmer designs.

The CAD Lights CONIC Bio-Reactor is rated for aquarium setups from 40 to 150 gallons but we feel this is conservative since many biopellet users are leaning towards using a lot less media per volume, especially for reef tanks with low nutrient loads. The CONIC Bio-Reactor is $175 including all fittings and the built-in pump which helps to keep the footprint to a modest six inches square.

*True All-In-One design, where the pump is already built inside of the Bio reactor in the bottom chamber. this feature saves ALOT more space and ease of use the moment you get it. the intake is in the bottom and the outtake is from the top allows for the most efficient flow of only 1 direction.

* Advanced Conic design, makes our Unique “Rhythmic Tumbling Motion” that moves every pellet evenly and prevents clumping. every pellet churns and moves throughout the entire reactor (from top to bottom).

* Self-priming and designed to be ready to use right out of the box and comes with all the pump, fittings, plumbing, union etc. all comes standard.

*Space saving design and energy efficient. no need for an external pump that will take up more space and wasted pump pressure.

* 100% Cell-Cast acrylic and Hand MADE IN USA.

* Completely disassembles easily for maintenance.

* Compatible with a large variety of Bio-pellets.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XMBVIE5PJXMAMZJSENESFNWBKA Joe

I am not a bio-pellet fan but that is one of the coolest reactors I have seen for them. CAD Lights does make some very nice products although they are a little on the pricey side.
Anonymous

Their equipment all looks top notch. Their logo, on the other hand…
J Brinks

Cool reactor, but who has that much space in a sump for a reactor?
http://www.AdvancedAquarist.com Leonard Ho

Footprint is only 6×6. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/cad-lights-conic-bio-reactor
Todd Sawasky

This thing is sweet but the biopellets IMO worst idea to hit this hobby in a long time. I hear more horror stories than good including myself.
Anonymous

I bought one of these yesterday from CAD, great guys to deal with on the phone. It ships out Monday so I should be tumbling some Warner Marine EcoBAK by end of next week. I will post up my thoughts once its in hand.

As for BioPellets, I had a HUGE Nitrate problem in my Reef/Fish tank for a few months and was using abosorbers in which were helping, just not handling the problem. I bought a SMR1 BioPellet Reactor and have been using it for 4 months with great results. Yes, I got the insane white slime bacteria bloom that everyone talks about, but it lasted 4 days and overnight it was gone and my water is crystal clear.
The only thing I dislike about the SRM1 (Which is an amazingly built piece of hardware by the way) is I don’t get the tumbling I’m seeing in this video and more tumble is better IMO so I figured for $175 I’d give it a try.
I’ve been in the hobby for over 18 years and I think BioPellets when done correctly are as much a benefit to the hobby as the invention of the Protein Skimmer. Like everything just need to make sure its done correctly with good equipment, you buy a $48 Two Fishes Phosban/Conversion Reactor and you get $48 worth of product. No offense to TWF they have some good products I do use as well.

I’ll let everyone know how this works.
Anonymous

I have seen and experienced both sides of the coin myself with carbon dosing. Had moderate success with vodka dosing but daily dosing got to become to much of a chore, then tried pellets twice without success. I have seen other locals have long term success, and I have seen some have short term success (great for 6 months then crash).

I just can’t get past the $ aspect of it all, even when it works great. The cost of reactors, media, skimmer, vs a 50cent plastic screen with a light shining on it and water flowing over it to grow algae and an occasional filter bag of carbon or purigen in the sump. The end results are the same, clean water with very low nitrates and phosphates. I have multiple tanks, like to experiment, and I am open minded to new ideas and methods (actually I usually jump on them right away to test out on one of my tanks) and for me the bio-pellet route just wasn’t for me, but I gave it a shot, actually 2 shots, but my tank suffered each time I tried even starting out with only 1/10th the normal amount.
gerd didosy

Congratulation to this fine designed acrylic products ! Wonderful done and hopefully this will attract reefkeepers. Only 1 question remains, based on experience in sps reefkeeping : Where is the conceptional background of using high efficiency skimming plus bio pellets ? Here i have my doubts regarding availability of nutition, such like dissolved organic matters and others..?
J Brinks

Which is great if you have that kind of space in a sump…

Most people I know that are running BP’s are running external reactors.

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