AQUATOP MR-30 Media Reactor – 152 GPH Up-Flow Filtration System – with Pump, Tubing & Mount – for Saltwater or Freshwater Aquariums – Sump or Hang-On Setup

Was looking for a reactor that would fit in the back chamber of my BioCube 29 and this fit the bill. Pump has fairly low output as many reviewers have stated but it works for me so far with PhosGuard. A larger replacement pump is so cheap that I'm not concerned about the output. I'd buy it again.

I have been using this as a gfo reactor for a while now and It does a good job. Only issue is the suction cups don't seem to wanna hold the hoses very well and they slip out from time to time and are more noticeable in the tank. Cleaning isn't hard but is still harder than I would like. The sponges get clogged up fairly easily and can cause performance issues if u don't stay on top of your maintenance. Over all I will buy another one for my other tank. The hang on option is good but it is better suited for a sump.

The media could not be loaded. Everything works perfect. Easy to put together got the reactor running in probably 10 minutes. The only thing I don't like is that the unit is to big, other then that thumbs up. Fyi I looked at some of the reviews about the pump problem and I don't think that's the case. Attached is a video showing how is working perfectly, the GFO needs to tumble gently you don't need an earthquake inside the reactor. So far everything working good 👍 I recommend the unit.

I wanted to build a chaeto reactor and I liked the hang on design for my sumpless nano reef tank.The canister is fine overall: hangs on well and it forces the water down and back up. I like that it comes with screens to keep the macro from over growing into those areas but that’s the end of the positives.The pump it came with is too weak (I immediately had to replace it with a sicce silent 0.5 on low). The outlet too easily pinches off the tubing creating resistance for pump. The plastic inlet might be ok for a really thin rimless but on my tank it doesn’t hug the wall and looks janky. I’m hoping I can find some RO per tubing in black to pipe my own inlet and outlet. Overall if I didn’t already use it I’d probably return it.Next time I’ll probably just spend a little more.

This reactor works decent. The mechanical sponges are horrible and need to be cleaned every couple weeks. The capacity sucks as the unit is much smaller then you will think. I do manage to cram in around 1l of pond matrix and now that I’ve changed media 1.5ish of matrix.What many say about the pump is spot on. This is not suited to any sort of moving bed filtration. I’m running this thing wide open right now packed full of matrix with factory foams siting 4” above substrate to reduce foam clogging and I’m probably getting around 40gph flow from the 120gph pump.What I can say is the outlet filter bag is suitable enough that those looking to run a carbon based media can in a freshwater system that cant utilize a protein skimmer properly. You would need to use a different pump and clean the outlet sock every couple days but I can see this working even though everyone else says carbon media in a reactor can’t be done on a freshwater system. The sock will collect the bio scum from the carbon just fine like a fine micron filter sock would. Even running matrix I get bio scum buildup and clean the sock every couple weeks.DO NOT CARBON DOSE WITH THIS SYSTEM! Because the mechanical filtration for this is so bad if you carbon dose you will clog this reactor in 2-3 days and have zero flow. You’ll then have to take it apart clean your media, sponges, the housing etc.. a full cleaning to get it right agian. I know cause I tried using sugar in my tank while using this after not seeing actual results to speed up heterotroph reproduction. All I got was a massive biofilm that I had to clean out of every part of the u it.His reactor might work for someone but it seems to be just one more piece I have to maintain on my setups with no beneficiary results and I monitor and record all my tanks water persmeters daily. For a salt systems this is way way way too small and for those with thoughts as myself using in freshwater I’ve yet to find a way to use it that makes a different at all. I’m still giving this 3 stars cause it’s not the products fault I didn’t achieve what i wanted. It works as expected although it is smaller then you can even think it is. Again not their fault. I’m still playing with this trying to find a usable setup that actually improves. Any tank but I’ve not seen any results as if yet.

The media could not be loaded. Nice reactor for the price , no leaks whatsoever so far , took extra care during assembly , this is for my 30 gallon aquarium , filled with the proper amount of media for my aquarium the pump is not the most powerful pumps 90 gallons per hour that enough to turn the water over 3 times . The flow through the media is proper gently tumbled the media does not over churn it with us incorrect . Overall in pleased with the reactor now the long 3 to 4 week to let the bacteria in to build up .

Very good for the price. Works fantastic. Will most likely buy another one.

The pump that was included lasted only for FIVE (5) MINUTES! Now I'm stuck looking for another pump. Another reviewer said that the pump wasn't strong enough. Now I don't know what to buy. Meanwhile....the reactor is set up and ready to go.....but I can't use it. I would also like enough tubing to have the reactor under the tank, rather than behind. It is heavy when it is full and I don't know if I want all that weight on the back of my glass aquarium. Not only that, but there is barely enough clearance to put it on the back of the tank and it scraped the wall! Now I have to add "touch up paint" to my To Do list. Along with having to purchase another pump!(And, they don't give you enough tubing if you want to put the thing under the tank).I'll update this review if I ever manage to get this thing working...... Right now I am extremely unhappy that I spent all of this money and I can't use the thing.