Octo 9-inch Replacement Sponge for CalReact-220/5000D, 2 Pack
SKU: ROP-CR220-5000-SPG
- Direct OEM Calcium Reactor Fit: Factory-original replacement foam media discs engineered specifically for Reef Octopus CalReact-220 and CalReact-5000D 9-inch reaction chambers.
- Essential Pump & Impeller Protection: Prevents aragonite gravel, crushed coral media, and abrasive calcium carbonate chips from entering the VarioS DC recirculation pump.
- Dual-Position 2-Pack Coverage: Includes two matched 9-inch circular sponges to provide both bottom media bed support and top chamber particulate retention.
- Prevents Effluent Valve Clogging: Traps fine suspended calcium silt within the reaction bed, protecting micro-dosing effluent lines, needle valves, and peristaltic pump tubing.
- Durable Reticulated Open-Cell Foam: High-porosity marine-safe polyurethane foam withstands mildly acidic reactor environments (pH 6.5–6.8) while maintaining consistent water flow.
Reef Octopus
Globally trusted for premium protein skimmers and pumps, engineered in-house for unmatched reef filtration performance.
Reef Octopus 9-Inch Calcium Reactor Replacement Sponges
Maintaining steady mineral replenishment in large, stony coral reef aquariums demands high-volume, continuous dissolution of aragonite media inside a closed-loop calcium reactor. The Octo 9-inch Replacement Sponge for CalReact-220/5000D (SKU: ROP-CR220-5000-SPG) is the official OEM replacement foam media set engineered specifically for the 9-inch diameter reaction chambers of Reef Octopus CalReact-220 and CalReact-5000D Calcium Reactors.
Reef Octopus reverse-flow calcium reactors subject aragonite media to continuous high-volume water circulation and dissolved carbon dioxide. Over time, as calcium carbonate dissolves into ionic calcium and alkalinity, media granules degrade into fine, abrasive chalk silt. Without proper physical barriers, fluidized gravel and fines can enter the intake of the high-performance VarioS DC recirculation pump, scoring the ceramic shaft, jamming the impeller, and causing premature pump failure. Furthermore, loose media fines can easily block the delicate effluent needle valve or peristaltic drip lines, choking calcium supplementation and leading to hazardous alkalinity drops in the display aquarium. The ROP-CR220-5000-SPG two-pack provides complete coverage: one sponge sits beneath the media above the lower diffuser plate, and the second sponge seats over the top of the media bed beneath the upper acrylic retaining plate. Over prolonged reactor cycles, original foam discs become compressed, hardened with mineral deposits, or degraded by internal biological slime. Replacing them restores uninhibited recirculation and ensures smooth effluent control.
Ideal Replacement Scenario
If your calcium reactor media sponges have become permanently clogged with compacted calcium sediment, have hardened or torn during annual media cleanouts, or if you are restocking your CalReact-220 or 5000D with fresh coarse aragonite media, installing a fresh authentic pair of ROP-CR220-5000-SPG sponges restores factory flow dynamics and equipment safety.
(Note: Package includes (2) Reef Octopus 9-inch Replacement Sponge Discs [1 pair]. Calcium reactor body, aragonite media, and recirculation pump sold separately).
What’s Included:
(2) Reef Octopus 9-Inch Circular Replacement Foam Sponges (ROP-CR220-5000-SPG)
(Note: Calcium reactor, retainer bracket, aragonite media, and pump sold separately)
Technical Specs:
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: ROP-CR220-5000-SPG
Component Type: Open-Cell Reticulated Foam Filter Sponge Discs
Diameter: 9.0 Inches (~228 mm)
Quantity: 2 Sponges (Pair: Top Retainer & Bottom Diffuser)
Material: Marine-Grade, Inert Reticulated Polyurethane Foam
Color: Black
Chemical Resistance: Stable in Acidic Reactor Environments (pH 6.2 – 7.2)
Primary Compatibility:
Reef Octopus CalReact-220 (VarioS CR220 DC Calcium Reactor)
Reef Octopus CalReact-5000D (Dual-Chamber Calcium Reactor)
Super Reef Octopus SRO-CR5000D Series
WARRANTY
CoralVue, Inc. hereby guarantee this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of:
- 90days
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 the owner's or his agent's first knowledge of the defect.
- That CoralVue, Inc. shall be given the 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.
Click here to learn more.
Installation & Maintenance Guidelines:
Shut off the CO2 supply cylinder and disconnect the power supply to the calcium reactor's recirculation pump and feed pump.
Close inlet and effluent isolation valves, disconnect union fittings, and drain standing water from the reactor body into a bucket.
Unscrew the lid thumb screws or twist off the quick-release lid assembly to access the reaction chamber.
Remove the upper acrylic retainer bracket and lift out the old top sponge.
Empty remaining depleted aragonite media and remove the old bottom sponge from the lower diffuser plate.
Rinse the internal chamber walls with warm freshwater to remove lingering calcium carbonate silt and biological film.
Place one new ROP-CR220-5000-SPG sponge flat onto the bottom diffuser grid, ensuring the perimeter fits snugly against the acrylic cylinder wall with no gaps.
Add thoroughly rinsed calcium reactor media into the chamber until it fills approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of the chamber height.
Place the second ROP-CR220-5000-SPG sponge squarely on top of the media bed, followed by the acrylic retainer bracket.
Reseat the reactor lid O-ring, secure the lid, re-plumb unions, and purge all trapped air before restoring CO2 injection.
Pro Tips:
- Rinse New Sponges in RO/DI Water Before Installation. Before placing new ROP-CR220-5000-SPG sponges into your calcium reactor, submerge and squeeze them repeatedly in a bucket of pure RO/DI water. This washes away any residual manufacturing dust and thoroughly saturates the open-cell pores, preventing trapped air bubbles from rising into the reactor top and creating cavitation in the recirculation pump.
- Never Operate Without the Upper Sponge and Retainer Bracket. Even if you use extra-coarse aragonite media, never skip the top sponge. The intense upward flow generated by the VarioS DC pump fluidizes media grains near the top surface. Without the top sponge and weighted retainer plate, churning gravel fragments will be sucked directly into the recirculation intake, grinding down pump impeller blades and scoring the silicon nitride pump shaft.