Two Little Fishies Reactors?

[meverha1]

Does anyone have suggestions and/or suggested modifications for getting these things to work a bit better?

I have two - one for Carbon and one for Phosban. Neither one works all that well.

Carbon - It seems like the carbon becomes clogged with bacteria/algae fairly quickly and then floats to the top of the reactor. This isn't a huge problem but it does limit flow and it means that I have to change the carbon weekly.

Phosban/GFO - This is what I have a major issue with. The reactor initially works very well and keeps the material tumbling (think pot of water about to boil) but 2-3 days later it seems like the material is only moving in one or two areas. Turning up the flow helps but only for a short time. Within a day flow is restricted again.

I end up having to change my GFO weekly - not because it's exhausted it's usefulness but because it refuses to tumble in the reactor anymore.

Suggestions?

[Denbf58]

can you put a filter floss around the pick up of the pump i find it helps with the clogging

[meverha1]

Originally Posted by Denbf58

can you put a filter floss around the pick up of the pump i find it helps with the clogging

The pump intake really isn't the issue, I don't think

[Tanthaitrung]

Are you using the filter flosses that's included in the reactor?

[rjjr1963]

I'm using Cad Lights Nano reactor. They work pretty well and have a filter on the intake side to prevent gunk from fouling the pump.

[GoVols]

Sounds like your water needs to be (Way) better filtered, before it passes threw your reactors.
That would stop reactors sponges from becoming clogged.

JMO...

Activated carbon should be in the reactor with the top and bottom sponge holding it in place. You don't tumble carbon like GFO. It's soft and will grind into small fines that will be released into your tank and could cause HLLE.

[GoVols]

I'd dump the carbon and run Puriegn.

The only time I'd use activated carbon would to be to remove something like a medication, which Purigen does not do.

[texdoc77]

I had the same issue with the TLF reactors, here is how I fixed it.

First remove the line in and line out from the reactors. (of course turn the pump off first)

Next, carefully remove the reactors from your sump being careful not to leak any saltwater on the floor (or GFO or Carbon)

You can then carefully unscrew the tops and pour out all the media, save it for later if you like.

***MOST IMPORTANT PART***

Toss the reactors in the trash being careful not to reach back in and grab them, let them stay in the trash... forever.

Finally go order new, better reactors online, like the BRS dual reactors, or spectrapure reactors.

Your problem with the TLF reactors is now fixed!!!

[GoVols]

Originally Posted by texdoc77

I had the same issue with the TLF reactors, here is how I fixed it.

First remove the line in and line out from the reactors. (of course turn the pump off first)

Next, carefully remove the reactors from your sump being careful not to leak any saltwater on the floor (or GFO or Carbon)

You can then carefully unscrew the tops and pour out all the media, save it for later if you like.

***MOST IMPORTANT PART***

Toss the reactors in the trash being careful not to reach back in and grab them, let them stay in the trash... forever.

Finally go order new, better reactors online, like the BRS dual reactors, or spectrapure reactors.

Your problem with the TLF reactors is now fixed!!!

LOL!!!!!!!

Here's what you want for price and quality.

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx_...FIFRIT-vi.html

[coverdog]

I don't know what your water quality is but it shouldn't be clogging up the reactors. I've been using two little fishes for over two years and never had any clogging. I have left them for a month and still run like the day I put in new goo or carbon. I pull water out of the return section of the sump.

There's better reactors out there but those should do the job. The only problem I've heard was some have leaking caps. Never had that problem either.

[meverha1]

My water quality is decent but I do get a lot of bacterial buildup in the carbon reactor.

I'm been thinking about a new reactor for GFO. Maybe I need to check that Aquamaxx one out.

[Jah2707]

I run carbon and GFO in the same TLF reactor. It helps keep the GFO from clumping. But mine used to get clogged. After I started running filter socks I don't have any problems with that anymore.

[Potatohead]

No problems with TLF reactors here either. I mean let's be honest there isn't much to building a reactor and if it's getting clogged from junk it is not the reactors fault. . I run carbon and Rowa in one unit and it works perfectly with an MJ400.

[fishchef]

I have used TLF reactors for many years. They were like the first to offer this technology. Flow rate is the general solution. Fast enough to tumble the media depending on what your using. Changing the pads and keeping them clean. Periodic adjustment or flush of the media flow to correct any compacting.

[billdogg]

One of my TLF150's is probably going on 20 years old by now and has never had an issue like you describe.

I have found that my GFO will clump up within a couple weeks if my dosing is getting a bit on the heavy side. I currently use a Sicce .5 with a ball valve that is most of the way open. It has seemed to help quite a bit with the clumping because it is taking water from just before the dosing point rather than being fed from the return pump that sits at ground zero.

For the carbon the easiest way to run it is to reverse the flow pattern so that the water goes down through it rather than up. Water pressure alone holds it in place so that it cannot tumble.

[FullBoreReefer]

I run two sponges in the reactor before the carbon or gfo, helps break up the flow of water and disperse it better than the holes in the red bottom disc.

Although, I now run a dual brs reactor instead of (2)TLF reactors