NextReef MR1 Question

[EvMiBo]

I use the MR1 for hc gfo. After about 10-14 days the bottom sponge rides up. I need this to last about 4 weeks. I've just started combating this by tying zip-ties but the sponge still rode up a couple inches.

I've tried superglue in the past, it eventually breaks down.

I've thought about splitting the sponge in half also... But, I'm wondering if others are having this issue or have had something similar happen. How did you "solve" it.

[moondoggy4]

Do not use the sponge for GFO use plastic mesh that you can find at Joann's they come in sheets or already cut into circles. Then zip tie those to the plates.

[azjohnny]

The sponges ride up the shaft due to pulling detritus from your sump and clogging the sponges. Never heard of using the mesh for GFO just for Bio Pellets....Are the holes small enough not to let the GFO go through?

[drew2007]

That happened to me also. I just took the reactor and gave it a few light taps on my table and the sponge feel back into place. Hasn't moved since.

I think the plastic mesh will allow gfo to pass through. That's why you should use the sponges.

[d2mini]

No problem with mine. The gfo sits on top of the sponge... too heavy. Even after a month the sponge is still at the bottom.

[EvMiBo]

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Do not use the sponge for GFO use plastic mesh that you can find at Joann's they come in sheets or already cut into circles. Then zip tie those to the plates.

Do you have any pictures of the mesh? It would have to be pretty fine since the hc gfo is actually very small grain.

Originally Posted by azjohnny

The sponges ride up the shaft due to pulling detritus from your sump and clogging the sponges.

I know why it happens, I'm looking for a solution.

Originally Posted by drew2007

That happened to me also. I just took the reactor and gave it a few light taps on my table and the sponge feel back into place. Hasn't moved since.

I think the plastic mesh will allow gfo to pass through. That's why you should use the sponges.

Tapping it doesn't seem to work more me, it's simply getting clogged.

Originally Posted by d2mini

No problem with mine. The gfo sits on top of the sponge... too heavy. Even after a month the sponge is still at the bottom.

Right, I imagine you're using significantly more hc gfo in a 300+g setup. I'm only using a 1/2cup of hcgfo, so it's not very heavy and easily gets clogged.

Unless the mesh is small enough it sounds like reducing sponge size might be my best option?

[azjohnny]

Try putting a foam block at the feed pump inlet to keep the detritus from being fed into the reactor

[Ron Reefman]

Originally Posted by azjohnny

Try putting a foam block at the feed pump inlet to keep the detritus from being fed into the reactor

+1 feed clean water in and you shouldn't have an issue.

[d2mini]

Well then maybe you are using much to little in such a large reactor?

I don't know the answer to this myself, but maybe you can fill it at least 1/3 and let it run for much longer between changes? You are correct that i have much more in mine... around half full.
Plus, i stopped using the HC. At that price, i figured i could use the regular stuff, change it out more often and still come out ahead. You could use the cheaper stuff and use more. Lots of people have switched and haven't really seen any difference.

[EvMiBo]

I'll try the foam block on the intake of the pump (cobalt) for now if there's no other viable option. I was hoping the mesh idea would work, maybe I could modify some screen?

d2mini- I'm regenerating the hc and therefore reusing it, saving $ while pulling out PO4 more efficiently.

[moondoggy4]

http://www.marinedepot.com/Two_Littl...FIFRFA-vi.html something like this

[moondoggy4]

http://aquariumsupplies.marinedepot....core&view=grid two screens and sandwich this in between and use zip ties

[EvMiBo]

thanks for following up moondoggy4, I'll be looking into it.

[moondoggy4]

PS those screens can be bought at any craft store, they come in sheets and already cut into circles.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by EvMiBo

I'll try the foam block on the intake of the pump (cobalt) for now if there's no other viable option. I was hoping the mesh idea would work, maybe I could modify some screen?

d2mini- I'm regenerating the hc and therefore reusing it, saving $ while pulling out PO4 more efficiently.

ok fine, but you could still just use more if weight is the issue here. Boom. Done.

And fwiw, the hc is just going to allow you to change it out less often compared to the regular stuff.

[EvMiBo]

found some screens but they're still too large. the hc gfo is very small.

So for now anyway I'll be prefiltering before the water enters the pump. I imagine I'll have to switch a couple of these out every week or two but it will be much easier maintenance. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

[DavidG1966]

I use one of these on the tube right above the pad to keep mine in place. It works really well for me!

[moondoggy4]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...44&pcatid=4644 this pump I would recommend the 50 they have an option of the prefilter, the trick is getting the right tubing over the outlet, but the prefilter works great.

[EvMiBo]

again, thanks for the helpful info!

[azjohnny]

In the past I have used the foam blocks that come with Aquaclear HOB filters. Do you use a filter sock to trap the detritus from the DT

[EvMiBo]

Originally Posted by azjohnny

Do you use a filter sock to trap the detritus from the DT

yes

[shaggss]

Same thing was happening to me. I started mixing both GFO and carbon together and then you can put a sponge and the white plastic disk on top as it doesn't have to tumble when both are mixed.

[EvMiBo]

Originally Posted by shaggss

Same thing was happening to me. I started mixing both GFO and carbon together and then you can put a sponge and the white plastic disk on top as it doesn't have to tumble when both are mixed.

Can you explain why the gfo doesn't have to tumble? I've always been told that it needs some movement.

[EvMiBo]

Since the sponge rode up some (not all the way this time) I added the prefilter as pictured earlier, cut the sponge in half and ziptied as tight as possible this time (got 2 more zip clicks). Also, the mesh I have wasn't small enough but I still added it to the top and bottom of the reduced sponge. I'm hoping this works from now on... So far so good.

[shaggss]

Originally Posted by EvMiBo

Can you explain why the gfo doesn't have to tumble? I've always been told that it needs some movement.

Because it has been mixed with the carbon and you don't want the carbon to tumble or it will break up. Yes it is probably not as efficient as running the two separately, but it makes life easier for me.....