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Octo BioChurn 90ext HOB Biopellet Reactor (OPEN BOX)
SKU: OB-OCT-BC90E
- The Reef Octopus BioChurn 90ext is a hang-on-back biopellet reactor rated for aquariums up to 100 gallons.
- It is designed for reef and saltwater tanks where sump space is limited or unavailable for an in-sump reactor.
- It holds 400ml of biopellet media and uses a patent-pending churn plate to tumble pellets in a cyclone motion.
- The external recirculating design lets the user independently control media flow without relying on return pump output.
Reef Octopus
Globally trusted for premium protein skimmers and pumps, engineered in-house for unmatched reef filtration performance.
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Open box: new, inspected, ready to use
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FREE Shipping on orders over $75.00
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Backed by a 90-Day Warranty
Hang-On-Back Biopellet Reactor for Small Reef and Saltwater Aquariums
The Reef Octopus BioChurn 90ext HOB Reactor is a hang-on-back biopellet reactor for systems up to 100 gallons that don't have room for an in-sump unit. It mounts directly on the tank or sump wall using the included hanging bracket, and feeds itself with the included Aquatrance AQ-800 recirculation pump, which has an independent flow valve for direct control over media tumble speed. No separate feed pump to source, size, or plumb.
The defining feature of the BioChurn line is the patent-pending churn plate. Rather than blasting media upward with high-pressure flow, the churn plate creates a cyclone-style tumbling motion that keeps pellets in gentle, sustained suspension. This extends the contact time between the biopellet media and the nutrient-laden water passing through the reactor, which is where the biological nitrate and phosphate reduction actually happens. The solid acrylic construction and easy-access upper containment plate make the unit straightforward to open and refill.
Key Features:
- The included Aquatrance AQ-800 pump features an independent flow valve, so you control media tumble speed without adjusting your return pump or plumbing.
- The patent-pending churn plate creates cyclone-style media suspension rather than direct upward pressure, reducing pellet wear and extending contact time.
- The HOB hanging bracket mounts on tank or sump walls, making this practical for builds with no available in-sump footprint.
- The upper containment plate retains biopellet media inside the chamber and is easy to access for media refills without dismantling the unit.
- Solid acrylic body construction throughout.
- Rated for tanks up to 100 gallons with 400ml media capacity.
- The recirculating external design means reactor flow is independent of your return pump, giving full control over media movement.
Ideal For:
- Reef and FOWLR tanks up to 100 gallons where sump space is too limited for an in-sump reactor.
- Hobbyists who want an all-in-one HOB solution with the feed pump already included and matched.
- Aquariums running biopellets for the first time, where a smaller, simpler external unit is appropriate before scaling up.
Pro Tips:
- Run the output line toward your protein skimmer. The BioChurn 90ext sheds bacteria-rich effluent as it processes nitrates. Directing that outflow to your skimmer intake lets the skimmer pull out the bacterial biomass, which is the intended workflow for biopellet reactors and keeps the exported nutrients from settling back into the tank.
- Start at the lowest flow setting on the AQ-800 valve. The churn plate is designed for gentle tumble, not blast-off. If the pellets are blowing around violently or stacking against the top containment plate, dial the flow back. You want a slow, steady cyclone, not a tornado.
- Don't pack the chamber to capacity right away. Start with 200-250ml of media and let the bacterial colony establish over two weeks before increasing. Adding too much media too fast on a new system can cause a bacterial bloom or a temporary oxygen dip in the tank.
What's Included:
- BioChurn 90ext reactor body (solid acrylic)
- Aquatrance AQ-800 recirculation pump with an independent flow valve
- Hanging bracket
- Top cover
- Churn plate (turntable)
- Upper containment plate
- Water inlet assembly
- Elbow, pipe sections, and adapter fittings
- O-rings (multiple)
- Fastening screw
Specifications:
- Tank Rating: Up to 100 gallons
- Media Capacity: 400ml (0.11 US gal)
- Body Diameter: 90mm / 3.5"
- Footprint: 8.7" x 6.1" (220mm x 155mm)
- Height: 16.2" (410mm)
- Installation: Hang-on-back (external)
- Included Pump: Aquatrance AQ-800
- Pump Power: 6W (50Hz) / 7W (60Hz)
- Pump Max Flow: 880 LPH / 232 GPH (50Hz); 908 LPH / 240 GPH (60Hz)
- Pump Max Head: 0.8m / 2.6 ft (50Hz); 0.9m / 3 ft (60Hz)
- Pump Type: Wet/dry, CE certified
WARRANTY
CoralVue, Inc. hereby guarantees this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of:
- 90-days
- Warranty is activated on the date of purchase.
This Standard Limited Warranty applies and is limited as follows:
- To the product only as long as it remains in the possession of the original purchaser.
- To the product that has not been subject to accident, misuse or abuse.
- To the product that has not been modified, altered, defaced, or had repairs made or attempted by other than CoralVue, Inc.
- That CoralVue be immediately notified in writing within ten (10) days of first knowledge of defect by owner or his agent.
- That CoralVue, Inc. shall be given first opportunity to make any repairs, replacements or corrections to the defective construction within a reasonable period of time.
- Under no circumstances shall CoralVue and/or the Manufacturer be liable by virtue of this warranty or otherwise for damage to any person or property whatsoever for any special, indirect, secondary or consequential damages of any nature however arising out of the use or inability to use because of the product defect.
Instructions:
- Attach the hanging bracket to the reactor body and hang the unit on the rim of your tank or sump wall, positioning the inlet near the water surface.
- Fill the reactor chamber with biopellet media. Start with approximately 200ml for new setups and increase to up to 400ml as the bacterial colony matures over two to four weeks.
- Connect the Aquatrance AQ-800 pump to the reactor inlet. Submerge the pump in the tank or sump.
- Route the reactor outlet. For best results, direct the output line toward your protein skimmer intake.
- Power on the pump. Use the independent flow valve on the AQ-800 to dial in a slow, steady cyclone tumble of the media. Pellets should rotate gently, not blast upward against the top plate.
- Monitor nitrate and phosphate levels over the first two to four weeks and adjust media volume as results indicate.
- Check the upper containment plate periodically for debris buildup and clear as needed.