I was very impressed with this reactor. I am in the manufacturing business, and I can always tell if a company takes pride in their work. This one definitely does! The packaging was equally impressive, for what that is worth. I really like the sleek, clean design. The functionality is also great. I will definitely be buying more Vertex equipment in the future for these reasons. I was skeptical after reading the earlier review, but I am glad I kept an open mind about it. I am not experiencing any of those issues. On the Bulk Reef Supply side, I have been very impressed as well with the professionalism and prices. I always go here first for my reef needs.

Thanks and keep doing what you do!

Dan

Just finished setting up the system in my 100g reef. I was very impressed with the overall quality of the Vertex reactor. The packaging was superior in my opinion. Everything was operable and shiny. I read the other review and while I agree that the grate on the bottom of the internal chamber allow smaller media to pass through, It doesn't really matter so much as the media sinks to the bottom anyway. I don't see how the media would get between the inner chamber and the outer one causing scratches.

I had space concerns with this reactor and BRS doesn't list the actual footprint. After finding it online, it appears that this reactor has the smallest footprint for the 1+ liter sized reactors.

I got the Zeovit system about two weeks ago to date, the overall build quality is good, however the nipple port on the top of the lid was not sealed properly and allows air in even with the supplied rubber boot cover... That causes an issue with micro bubbles exiting the reactor and making their way into the main display as well as back into the reactor. I used a little crazy glue sealed it so not too big an issue, but not what I expected from Vertex. If you don’t seal it, the reactor will fill with air and the media will dry out that’s a bigger issue as the makers of the Zeovit system warn against exposing the media to air?!?!

Issue number two… the drilled holes in the internal chamber (Top and Bottom) for water to pass through also allow the smaller Zeovit Media to pass through when pumping the handle up and down… this cause the media to impede and scratch the internal chamber walls and some force is needed to push the chamber down and back into the inner seat on the lower end of the reactor. Failure to do so will bypass the flow though the inner chamber where the media is held. In order to fix that issue, I made a trip to my local craft store and picked up some plastic sewing mesh (smaller hole sized) and cut round pieces for both top and bottom. Again, not what I would have expected from Vertex.

After all the little tweaks above the reactor is working, I have yet to do the first change out, but have noticed that it might not be easy as the inner chamber is about 3” to 3 ½” inches, you cannot remove the pump rod, so pulling out enough media will be a challenge…

Would I recommend the unit at this time… well that’s questionable!

look forward to getting this for my next saltwater tank i have left the hobby for a few years and wanting to get started again. This seems to be the best to get started again.