Reef Octopus hang on Zeovit reactor

By on Aug 20, 2012

The Reef Octopur hang on Zeovit reactor joins a huge and growing stable of aquarium products from the Chinese company. With the high popularity of hang on back skimmers and media reactors, it’s no surprise that Zeovit reactors also received the hang on back reactor treatment. We’re actually a bit surprised that it has taken so long in the first place.

Zeovit reactors with modified plumbing for hang on back use have been around forever, but no reactor intended for primarily hang on back use seem to ever have really been released. Fortunately Reef Octopus is finally stepping up to the plate with their hang on back Zeovit reactor. Considering that the reactor is still in its developing stages, details are still seriously lacking but we already have a pretty good impression of the reactor’s inner workings.

It appears that water from the tank is pumped through the bottom and then drains from the top back into the system. The reactor also features a handle for stirring your zeolites, which is of course vital to maintaining a stable Zeovit system. Rods sticking out of the stirring pipe serve to increase stirring power. The intake is outfitted with a hose adapter so you can attach your desired pump with soft pluming for noise reduction and easier removal. The outtake pipe appears to have an air hole to prevent the chance of a siphon occurring.

Two schedule 80 unions should furthermore make removing the pump and or the reactor easier. There appears to be a lack of thumb screws or even a screw on lid, and this Reef Octopus hang on Zeovit reactor seems to rely on a simple o-ring compression fitting instead. This design should make replacing you zeovit stones a breeze, and considering that the lid will be above the water level the risk of leaks should not be a concern.

Rather than the traditional bent acrylic lip the Reef Octopus Zeovit reactor uses a more adjustable screw thumb lip to suspend it from the aquarium. The flat acrylic back panel rather than a round back furthermore should make installation a breeze. Release date is scheduled to be around October, although the reactor might be limited to Japan. Retail pricing is not yet known.

[via LSS Laboratory]

 

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=508021671 Albert Dao

    This is a terrible idea for reasons that have nothing to do with the HOB aspect of the product. Zeovit systems require super stable tanks, which is rarely the case with tanks that aren’t drilled. More often than not, tanks without sumps are the result of poorly informed hobbyist setting up their first saltwater tanks. Even if said hobbyist becomes adept at keeping their tank running smoothly, it is never an ideal situation and hardly the candidate for an upgrade to what is probably the most advance reef keeping technique currently out there.

    Products like this make it seem “okay” to be tacking on a difficult system to a suboptimal setup. More often than not, you’re not going to end up with “TOTM” mack-daddy Zeoreef. One ill-fated bout of slacking or weekend vacation and you’re more apt to come home to a tank full of problems.

    Before anyone jumps on me for this post, I am generalizing.

    Lastly, I should note that I love the Zeovit system. KZ easily has some of the best products for corals out there, but the Zeovit system is not something I’d just slap onto a system on a whim.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001443324671 Patrick Jewell

    GROSSLY generalizing.

    I’ve seen sumpless nano systems with little more than a CPR skimmer encrusted with garbage that barely skim, and the tank looks better than fully established 135 tanks. I say its 60/40, 60% of the time I see sump systems looking better than sumpless systems. ‘I am generalizing’.

    I think this is a GREAT option for those who like the SIMPLICITY of sumpless systems who want to dabble in Zeovit..In addition, HOB skimmers have come leaps and bounds with in the past 5 years. So they are ready to meet the demands Zeovit or similar bacteria driven systems. Or for those who have simply run out of room in there sump or who just do not want to add another piece of equipment into their sump.

    There is no “wrong way”, sure there might be a “more right way”, but not everyone has those options. I think this is a fantastic move on Reef Octopus’ part because they are capitalizing on a unclaimed niche market with little cost to do so. Fantastic move, IMHO.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=508021671 Albert Dao

    One does not merely “dabble” in Zeovit -____-

    And no, it is not grossly generalizing. I’ve had a bird’s eye view of the industry for a long time now and I can tell you without a doubt that simplifying Zeovit is a good way to frustrate the masses. It’s not an easy system, it was never meant to be an easy system. If you’re a pro reef keeper with impeccable habits, then fine. But if you’re like 99% of the sumpless SW hobbyists, your had best wait until you get around to canning your crappy “the LFS ripped me off and didn’t inform me/I’m a noob and didn’t understand, went el cheapo” beginner system and upgrading to a proper tank.

  • http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/ Aquarium Specialty

    Hey Albert. Give me a shout sometime :-) .

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001443324671 Patrick Jewell

    Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion.