TMC Reef Bio Gro 2.0

What is this Reef Bio-Gro 2.0 from TMC?

The TMC Reef Bio-Gro 2.0 is an advanced marine reactor that's designed to grow macro-algae and, in turn, reduce the amount of unwanted nutrients from your reef tank. It's a game changing piece of reefkeeping equipment from TMC and an update on their popular Reef Bio-Gro S.

This new and updated design includes a high performance, double-sided LED board that combines AquaRay technology with premium Samsung LEDs to create an effective and efficient lighting system with a high PUR (photosynthetically usable radiation) rating.

Not all macro-algaes are the same, but for most a large amount of PUR is needed to help mimic the conditions they experience in nature. The spectrum peaks created by this reactor's lighting system will not only boost macro-algae growth, but help them flourish too.

How does this TMC Reef Bio-Gro 2.0 work?

This Reef Bio-Gro 2.0 can sit inside or outside of an aquarium, thanks to its compact, space-saving design. It can also be placed inside a sump, or hung onto the back of an aquarium.

After instillation, simply place a small amount of macro-algae onto each of the reactor's plates, connect a pump (sold separately) and turn on the LED lighting board. It's recommended that you set this LED lighting board to turn on when your main aquarium lights turn off.

Once switched on, the LED lighting board inside the reactor will work its magic, emitting a custom-engineered lighting spectrum that promotes optimum macro-algae growth. You can easily harvest this macro-algae too, thanks to the reactor's pull-up lid.

The TMC Reef Bio-Gro 2.0 is available in two different models, a small and a medium. The small has a volume of 3.8l with 9w LEDs, while the medium has a volume of 7.6l with 14w LEDs.

What's macro-algae and why is it good for my reef tank?

They're often referred to as the 'plants' of the reefkeeping hobby, but macro-algaes aren't really plants. They're actually seaweed - multicellular organisms that typically live in the ocean and are visible to the naked eye.

They have several uses in the reefkeeping hobby, but their main benefit is that they can reduce unwanted nutrients, like nitrates and phosphates, that may otherwise be used up by micro-algae = the unsightly kind of algae that can cover your decor and aquarium's glass.

Macro-algaes are also used by some aquarists to decorate their tanks, instead of or alongside corals. This helps to simulate a wild-like environment and promote natural behaviours in your fish and other aquarium inhabitants.