NextReef MR1 - User Manual

Nex tReef
Uncompromising Quality
TM
Other Notes:
We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase!
The MR1 should provide years of trouble-free service if properly cared for. Here are a few
hints to help:
Your reactor may be installed anywhere, as long as the surface is flat and the reactor is
upright. Your reactor can be installed in-sump, and is also ozone safe.
When changing the media, please keep in mind that some water may leak out of the
reactor when you remove the lid. Open the reactor over a bowl, bucket, or over your
sump. New media may cloud the water in the reactor (and your tank), you may want to let
the cloudy water run off into a container to be discarded.
Rinse the reactor when changing media, including the sponges.
Replacement sponges and o-ring gaskets are available from NextReef.
Please contact NextReef or your dealer with any installation questions.
Email: sales@NextReef.com Phone: 941-704-5391 (M-F 9am – 5pm EST)
NextReef is a Registered Trademark. The NextReef stingray, stylized logo,”Uncompromising Quality”, “MR1 Media Reactor”,
and “MR1 Shorty Media Reactor” are trademarks of NextReef Systems. All designs and content copyright 2008, 2009.
LIMITED WARRANTY
NextReef makes no claim to the suitability of this product for any specific use. The end user
is solely responsible for determining fitness for a particular use, and for installation. This
product is sold as a component of a custom aquarium installation.
Your product is warranted to be free of defects for a period of 90 days from purchase. We will, at our
discretion, repair or replace your product at no charge during this period. Return shipping is the
responsibility of the purchaser. This warranty does not cover accidental damage, misuse, improper
care or alteration, or acts of God, such as floods and earthquakes. Coverage terminates if the original
purchaser sells or otherwise transfers the product. This warranty excludes claims for incidental or
consequential damages, loss of revenue or profits, loss of business, or other financial loss in
connection with the warranty problem. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to
state or country to country.
Problem? Question? Give us a call first – we'll be happy to help.
Thank you for choosing NextReef! Our products are hand-built in the USA, and
are designed to provide the highest level of performance for your aquatic systems.
Instructions – MR1 and MR1 Shorty Media / Substrate Reactor
Wash everything.
Plumb the MR1.
The fitting in
the center of the lid is the water inlet; the fitting offset to one side is the outlet.
Always test for siphoning
when making any change to your aquarium configuration!
While we take great care to keep any contaminates away from our
products during assembly, please take a moment to clean the reactor and plumbing before
attaching to your tank. Only clean your reactor with warm water and a single drop of plain
dish soap (avoid dish soaps with moisturizers, etc.).
Never clean Acrylic with alcohol based products.
There are multiple ways to plumb in your media reactor, depending on
your tank configuration and design – 4 are listed on the following page.
Please keep in mind that a media reactor is intended to be a bypass filter, and is not
designed to handle the complete flow and pressure requirements of a large aquarium
system. In some installations you may want to install a ball valve before the reactor – never
use one to restrict the flow out of the reactor, as this can over pressurize it.
Fittings should be wrapped with Teflon pipe tape. Do not over-tighten when installing –
should one not seal correctly, re-wrap with Teflon plumbing tape and reinstall.
The MR1 is designed to accommodate flow rates up to 160gph, and we recommend you
choose a quality pump such as the EcoPlus 132 or the Mini-Jet 606. These pumps feature
adjustable flow rates, perfect for fine tuning your reactor's performance.
Your reactor is set up to use ½ inch (inner diameter) tubing. ½ inch ID tubing will also fit
snugly around the output from an EcoPlus or Mini-Jet pump. Three plastic hose clamps are
included - the third can be used to secure tubing to the pump if you choose this installation.
If you plumb the return from your reactor into the main tank, place the return line above the
water level to avoid siphoning in the event of a power loss.
Use caution when handling as acrylic
scratches easily.
Hang On Adapter:
To install the optional Hang-On Adapter, simply loosen 4 of
the screws that secure the lid until they are flush with the
bottom of the flange. Place the HOA under the flange, align
the screw holes and tighten.
You may notice a small gap between the reactor and
the flange at some of the screws - this is normal.
You do not need to remove
the Hang-On Adapter to change the media or remove the
lid.
®
MR1/Shorty Instructions v2.0 6/09

Summary

Hang On Adapter Installation

General Reactor Usage Notes

Limited Warranty Information

MR1 Reactor Setup and Operation

Initial Cleaning and Preparation

Instructions for washing the reactor and components before installation to remove any contaminants.

Plumbing the MR1 System

Guidance on how to connect the media reactor to your aquarium plumbing system.

Flow Rate and Pump Recommendations

Specifies optimal flow rates and suggests compatible pumps for the MR1 reactor.

Tubing and Hose Clamp Usage

Details on the 1/2 inch ID tubing and the use of included hose clamps for connections.

Siphoning Prevention in Return Lines

Advice on positioning the return line to prevent siphoning during power outages.

MR1 Reactor Suggested Installations

Simple Tank Plumbing

Diagram showing a basic installation of the MR1 reactor directly into the main aquarium tank.

Sump Installation with Dedicated Pump

Illustrates connecting the MR1 to a dedicated pump returning water to the sump.

Sump Installation with System Pump

Shows how to plumb the MR1 using the main system pump, returning to the sump.

Main Tank Installation with Dedicated Pump

Diagram of the MR1 connected to a dedicated pump, returning water to the main tank.

MR1 Reactor Loading and Assembly

Inserting Lower Plenum and Sponge

Steps for correctly inserting the lower plenum and filter sponge into the reactor canister.

Loading Reactor Media

Guidance on filling the reactor with media, including fluidization considerations.

Inserting Upper Plenum

Instructions for placing the second sponge and upper plenum onto the reactor tube.

Final Lid Sealing

Steps for cleaning the lid and securely attaching it to the reactor body.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The NextReef MR1 Media Reactor is a hand-built, USA-made device designed to provide high-level performance for aquatic systems. It functions as a bypass filter, accommodating various media types to improve water quality in aquariums.

Function Description:

The MR1 Media Reactor is intended to filter aquarium water by housing various media, such as phosphate control products or fluidized media. Water is directed through the reactor, passing through the media, which then helps to remove impurities or provide other beneficial effects to the aquatic system. It is designed to be a bypass filter, meaning it handles a portion of the aquarium's total water flow rather than the entire system's flow. This design prevents over-pressurization and allows for fine-tuning of the filtration process. The reactor can be installed in-sump or directly into the main tank, and it is ozone safe.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Flow Rate: The MR1 is designed to accommodate flow rates up to 160 gallons per hour (gph).
• Tubing Size: It uses 1½ inch (inner diameter) tubing for connections.
• Pump Recommendations: Recommended pumps include the EcoPlus 132 or the Mini-Jet 606, both of which feature adjustable flow rates suitable for fine-tuning reactor performance.
• Fittings: The fitting in the center of the lid is the water inlet, and the fitting offset to one side is the outlet. Fittings should be wrapped with Teflon pipe tape for a secure seal.
• Construction: The reactor is constructed with acrylic components, which are prone to scratching if not handled carefully.

Usage Features:

• Installation Flexibility: The reactor can be installed anywhere as long as the surface is flat and the reactor is upright. It can be plumbed directly into the main tank or into a sump.
• Dedicated Pump Installation (Preferred for Sump Systems): For systems with a sump, the preferred installation involves a dedicated pump returning water into the sump. This setup minimizes head pressure and prevents siphoning from the main tank.
• Dedicated Pump Installation (Main Tank Return): If returning water to the main tank with a dedicated pump, the return line should be placed above the water level to prevent siphoning in case of a power loss.
• System Pump Installation (Sump Return): The reactor can be installed on the main system pump, returning water into the sump. For large pumps, it's recommended to tee off the main return line and use a ball valve to control the flow, as the MR1 is not designed to handle the full flow of large pumps.
• Media Loading:
  • Insert the clear tube with the attached lower plenum and a filter sponge into the canister, ensuring the sponge is flush against the plenum at the bottom to prevent media leakage. A length of pipe or tubing can be used to push the sponge in.
  • Hold your thumb over the tube while pouring media into the reactor, keeping the tube centered.
  • For non-fluidized media (e.g., phosphate control products), the reactor can be filled as desired.
  • For fully fluidized media, fill the reactor no more than two-thirds full to allow the media to move freely. Heavy or fine media may require less fill.
  • Slide the second sponge and the upper plenum onto the tube.
  • Wipe any debris off the lid and top of the reactor before securing.
• Lid Closure: Press down firmly onto the center of the reactor to seat the tubing into the fitting on the underside of the lid. Twist the lid clockwise and gently tighten the thumb screws.
• Hang-On Adapter (Optional): To install the optional Hang-On Adapter, loosen four screws on the lid until they are flush with the bottom of the flange. Place the adapter under the flange, align the screw holes, and tighten. It is not necessary to remove the adapter to change media or remove the lid. A small gap between the reactor and flange at some screws is normal.
• Siphoning Prevention: Always test for siphoning when making any changes to the aquarium configuration, especially when the return line is placed above the water level.

Maintenance Features:

• Initial Cleaning: Before attaching to the tank, clean the reactor and plumbing with warm water and a single drop of plain dish soap (avoid moisturizers). Exercise caution as acrylic scratches easily. Never use alcohol-based products on acrylic.
• Media Changes:
  • When changing media, some water may leak out. Open the reactor over a bowl, bucket, or sump.
  • New media may cloud the water; allow the cloudy water to run off into a container to be discarded.
  • Rinse the reactor and sponges when changing media.
• Replacement Parts: Replacement sponges and o-ring gaskets are available from NextReef.
• Troubleshooting: For problems or questions, contact NextReef via email at sales@NextReef.com or phone at 941-704-5391 (M-F 9am - 5pm EST).
• Warranty: The product is warranted to be free of defects for 90 days from purchase. NextReef will repair or replace the product at no charge during this period. Return shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser. The warranty does not cover accidental damage, misuse, improper care or alteration, acts of God, or transfer of the product by the original purchaser. It excludes claims for incidental or consequential damages, loss of revenue or profits, loss of business, or other financial loss.

NextReef MR1 Specifications

General

Brand	NextReef
Model	MR1
Category	Aquariums
Language	English