Odd issue with BRS reactor

RattlerSkin · 01/08/2012, 10:20 PM

I installed a single BRS reactor about 3 weeks and it was running perfectly fine until last weekend when I did my first carbon and GFO change. I did everything as I normally would, cleaning the canister out, replacing the carbon and GFO then refilling the canister with saltwater. When I started it back up it was running fine, but then that same night I noticed the water level in the canister was only about 3/4 full. Water was still flowing through the reactor and I had good flow back into the sump, so I let it go figuring it would balance out whatever issue it had. The next morning, I look at it and see the water level in the canister is now about 1/2 full. No leaks anywhere, but somehow the level in the reactor canister is steadily decreasing. I shut off the reactor pump and start it back up to purge all of the air in the canister, but it goes down steadily over the hours and days. I attached two pictures, one is last night right after a water change and media change and the other is early this afternoon. The constant changing in water levels is causing my carbon to drop and the top pad to raise, making my carbon tumble and grind as well.... Very frustrating. Any ideas?

sbeason · 01/09/2012, 06:58 AM

I am not sure why you are trying to run both in the same cannister, but that could be the problem. I run the dual chamber and do experience in the 2nd chamber(for carbon) the same thing with the water level, but it isn't an issue. I assume you are using a mj pump for the feed....

RattlerSkin · 01/09/2012, 07:58 AM

I am running a cobalt MJ pump and running both is frequently done; I haven't read about this issue anywhere else for people running both in the same reactor. It's just odd that the water level continually recedes, it doesn't just drop a little and stay there.

RattlerSkin · 01/10/2012, 01:02 PM

No other input?

outssider · 01/10/2012, 07:13 PM

i am running the same as you with no problems. I did put my valve on the out-flow not the in-flow. maybe try putting your valve on the out-flow line that returns to the sump. This should pressurize the reactor with restriction of the flow thus keeping the canister full of water,

GuySmily · 01/10/2012, 07:50 PM

I had the same issue as you after my first media change. When I shut the flow off, the canister fills with water, and when I turn the flow back on it gets air in it again. If I do it a few times eventually all the air disappears.

A few tips:
1. Put another sponge at the bottom, under the GFO. I used a bottom sponge the first time, and I skipped the bottom sponge this time. I had much smoother tumbling with the bottom sponge in place, so I'm going to put it back next time.

2. Put a tee in-line coming off your maxijet. I never use more than 50% of the power from the MJ, and the tee prevents excess backpressure by recirculating water into the sump, instead of wearing out the MJ. If you do want more than 50% of the MJ's power, you might need to buy another ball valve (or swap the valve from the reactor-side to the recirculation-side of the tee). I've been unable to find a selectable tee/valve combo, but let me know if you find one.

3. Push the top sponge down against the carbon. I don't think the carbon is supposed to be allowed to tumble.

--------

Next time I re-do the media, I'm going to try outssider's tip. It sounds like a good idea.

01/09/2012, 07:58 AM	#3
RattlerSkin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 105	I am running a cobalt MJ pump and running both is frequently done; I haven't read about this issue anywhere else for people running both in the same reactor. It's just odd that the water level continually recedes, it doesn't just drop a little and stay there. __________________ Custom designed 60G acrylic DT with ~20G sump, ~60 lbs Fiji pink sand in display tank and ~4" oolite DSB in refugium with cheato, ~70 lbs LR, AquaMaxx AM100 skimmer, Eheim 1260 return pump, 2x MP40W ES, ATI 6x54W SunPower, Elos OsmoController, BRS GFO/Carbon reactor

01/10/2012, 01:02 PM	#4
RattlerSkin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 105	No other input? __________________ Custom designed 60G acrylic DT with ~20G sump, ~60 lbs Fiji pink sand in display tank and ~4" oolite DSB in refugium with cheato, ~70 lbs LR, AquaMaxx AM100 skimmer, Eheim 1260 return pump, 2x MP40W ES, ATI 6x54W SunPower, Elos OsmoController, BRS GFO/Carbon reactor

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01/09/2012, 06:58 AM	#2
sbeason Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lake St Louis, MO Posts: 1,391	I am not sure why you are trying to run both in the same cannister, but that could be the problem. I run the dual chamber and do experience in the 2nd chamber(for carbon) the same thing with the water level, but it isn't an issue. I assume you are using a mj pump for the feed....

01/10/2012, 07:13 PM	#5
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	i am running the same as you with no problems. I did put my valve on the out-flow not the in-flow. maybe try putting your valve on the out-flow line that returns to the sump. This should pressurize the reactor with restriction of the flow thus keeping the canister full of water,

01/10/2012, 07:50 PM	#6
GuySmily Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: El Dorado Hills Posts: 181	I had the same issue as you after my first media change. When I shut the flow off, the canister fills with water, and when I turn the flow back on it gets air in it again. If I do it a few times eventually all the air disappears. A few tips: 1. Put another sponge at the bottom, under the GFO. I used a bottom sponge the first time, and I skipped the bottom sponge this time. I had much smoother tumbling with the bottom sponge in place, so I'm going to put it back next time. 2. Put a tee in-line coming off your maxijet. I never use more than 50% of the power from the MJ, and the tee prevents excess backpressure by recirculating water into the sump, instead of wearing out the MJ. If you do want more than 50% of the MJ's power, you might need to buy another ball valve (or swap the valve from the reactor-side to the recirculation-side of the tee). I've been unable to find a selectable tee/valve combo, but let me know if you find one. 3. Push the top sponge down against the carbon. I don't think the carbon is supposed to be allowed to tumble. -------- Next time I re-do the media, I'm going to try outssider's tip. It sounds like a good idea.