Phosphate Reactor putting alot of dust into tank.

deemos · 12/13/2013, 11:35 PM

Hello Guys,

I am from Dubai. Nice to find a forum this populated and filled with so much useful information.

I have been in the hobby for 2 months now....Got myself a 75 G tank to start with, have a aqua excel skimmer , water levels are perfect .

I recently got a phosphate reactor, the one that has those small white pellets inside.

I am getting this fine white dust coming into the tank , I know its the reactor because i turned it off and there is no more dust + you could see the dust inside the reactor. I even cleaned the pellets inside the reactor and did a 10% water change thinking it would help , but as soon as i plug it back in , it starts again.

Been reading online and people say its something to do with the flow inside the reactor.

Model:
( Reef octopus beginner media reactor with pump )

Any input on this ? This is driving me crazy so ive had the reactor off for about 24 hrs now, and water is crystal clear.

Jerzey · 12/14/2013, 12:13 AM

you have to regulate the flow rate thought the reactor with a vlave.... i take it your running phosban through it... once you adjust that you'll be aces

billdogg · 12/14/2013, 06:29 AM

As mentioned above - it sounds like the flow needs to be turned down. It should be set so that the surface of the media just tumbles a little. Any more and it will grind itself into dust.

Also - most people use GFO (Granular Ferric Oxide) as PO4 media - unless I'm mistaken, I think the white media may be aluminum based, which can be harmful to the system.

hth

Mr tap water · 12/14/2013, 09:24 AM

Hi there
You could try adding a small piece of filter floss for a week in the top of the reactor this will help filter out any small particles if it is to do with the reactor good luck

Jerzey · 12/14/2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

As mentioned above - it sounds like the flow needs to be turned down. It should be set so that the surface of the media just tumbles a little. Any more and it will grind itself into dust.

Also - most people use GFO (Granular Ferric Oxide) as PO4 media - unless I'm mistaken, I think the white media may be aluminum based, which can be harmful to the system.

hth

+1 gfo works best IMO

Sk8r · 12/14/2013, 03:44 PM

There are plastic mesh adapters (two circles of white plastic with holes in it) that go into a Phosban reactor top and bottom to contain the NXP granules. If yours doesn't have an adapter kit, that may be your problem. Check the NPX manufacturer's web site for the adapter kit. Or see if you can find a closeup pic of one and cut it out of flexible plastic.

NPX is not aluminum: it's ceramic, as I understand it, which affords a biobed for bacteria.

Cozwey · 12/15/2013, 09:47 AM

I know you said you cleaned the media but I find it does take me quite a while to get it really clean. I soak it for a good half hour in which time I drain and add new water several times until it no longer releases milky residue.

12/13/2013, 11:35 PM	#1
deemos Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 34	Phosphate Reactor putting alot of dust into tank. Hello Guys, I am from Dubai. Nice to find a forum this populated and filled with so much useful information. I have been in the hobby for 2 months now....Got myself a 75 G tank to start with, have a aqua excel skimmer , water levels are perfect . I recently got a phosphate reactor, the one that has those small white pellets inside. I am getting this fine white dust coming into the tank , I know its the reactor because i turned it off and there is no more dust + you could see the dust inside the reactor. I even cleaned the pellets inside the reactor and did a 10% water change thinking it would help , but as soon as i plug it back in , it starts again. Been reading online and people say its something to do with the flow inside the reactor. Model: ( Reef octopus beginner media reactor with pump ) Any input on this ? This is driving me crazy so ive had the reactor off for about 24 hrs now, and water is crystal clear.

12/14/2013, 12:13 AM	#2
Jerzey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Cape may, New jersey Posts: 375	you have to regulate the flow rate thought the reactor with a vlave.... i take it your running phosban through it... once you adjust that you'll be aces __________________ 54g corner BB, 30g acrylic sump, SRO 1000 int skimmer, Jebao dual controller WP25+(2)WP10, dim4, DIY (142w) cree led(142w)/t5(96w) hybrid fixture, refugium, media reactor, ATO, 70lbsLR, mixed reef

12/14/2013, 06:29 AM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	As mentioned above - it sounds like the flow needs to be turned down. It should be set so that the surface of the media just tumbles a little. Any more and it will grind itself into dust. Also - most people use GFO (Granular Ferric Oxide) as PO4 media - unless I'm mistaken, I think the white media may be aluminum based, which can be harmful to the system. hth __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

12/14/2013, 03:44 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	There are plastic mesh adapters (two circles of white plastic with holes in it) that go into a Phosban reactor top and bottom to contain the NXP granules. If yours doesn't have an adapter kit, that may be your problem. Check the NPX manufacturer's web site for the adapter kit. Or see if you can find a closeup pic of one and cut it out of flexible plastic. NPX is not aluminum: it's ceramic, as I understand it, which affords a biobed for bacteria. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/15/2013, 09:47 AM	#7
Cozwey Go Canada!!!! Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 363 Blog Entries: 1	I know you said you cleaned the media but I find it does take me quite a while to get it really clean. I soak it for a good half hour in which time I drain and add new water several times until it no longer releases milky residue. __________________ QT, Go Slow, Read the Stickies People!!!! Current Tank Info: 120g FOWLR, 55 Perm QT, Full Apex, Kessil, Reef Octo, MP40's, MP10's, Plumbed ATO, BRS 2 part dosing.

12/14/2013, 09:24 AM	#4
Mr tap water Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 248	Hi there You could try adding a small piece of filter floss for a week in the top of the reactor this will help filter out any small particles if it is to do with the reactor good luck