If anyone ever happens to consider an algae reactor, here is my latest experience.
As I want to keep everything under my tank, and space is limited, I decided to try an algae reactor.
It is a Skimz MBR127. it is recommended for 1 cube of mysis per day and the equivalent amount of waste, in conjunction with a skimmer and typical filtration.
I currently have 20 fish (all 4" an under, no tangs) and feed them 2x per day. first feeding is pellets at 1:30, 1 turn of an Eheim, tiny pellets, and in the evening a homemade mix of fresh live oysters, clams, and mussels plus frozen mysis, all soaked in selcon.
so, I feed them well and it shows. Running a 12 lights on schedule, this reactor has helped maintain my nitrates and phosphates very steady over the past 5 weeks (ever since I upped lights on from 8 to 12 hours)
here is how I seeded the reactor, and then the results after 48 days. I will see what it is in 30 days next time as I don't want it to get this full and compacted next time.