Daisy-chaining reactors

DanInSD · 12/31/2007, 02:33 PM

Hello, all. Just need a sanity check.

I am planning to add two PhosBan reactors to my reef tank, one with PhosBan media and one with activated carbon. It was my intent to daisy-chain these together (output of one goes into the input of the other, and then back into the sump) using a single QuietOne pump.

Anyone else done this?

Thanks,
Dan

Toddrtrex · 12/31/2007, 02:56 PM

Carbon in the first one, phosban in the second. Using an MJ400.

DanInSD · 12/31/2007, 03:41 PM

Cool, thanks much.

Looks like you've got that valve open pretty much all the way -- I might have a spare MJ400 lying around, I can just use that... Hmmm...

Did you buy the extra "plumbing kit" that they say is for attaching to the side of a sump?

Dan

flyguy7150 · 12/31/2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddrtrex
Carbon in the first one, phosban in the second. Using an MJ400.

Thats how i have mine, cept i didnt use a little piece of hose between the two, just connected the elbows straight with the double ended nipple thing. Using a maxi jet 400 as well, i cannot get the phos media to move much, using phospure by drf&s. Not using any of the included ball valves seemed to help, cause once it goes through the carbon media, seems like not enough flow to get the media moving in the 2nd reactor.

elzool · 12/31/2007, 03:52 PM

I use a pump that puts out about 250gph and have it running into a reactor with GFO then to a reactor packed with carbon.

I only set it up in that order so I could blast the GFO and if any particulates got out, they would have to make it through the carbon before getting out into the sump.

From the output of the reactor with carbon I have that flowing into a filter sock that my overflow goes through, again preventing GFO or carbon from making it into the tank.... I hope.

DanInSD · 12/31/2007, 03:55 PM

OK, so the QuietOne 1200 might be a better idea, then I can use the ball valve to limit the flow if necessary.

One more thing -- how do you attach a MJ400 to 1/2" tubing?

Thanks,
Dan

flyguy7150 · 12/31/2007, 04:02 PM

the output on the mj fits perfectly with the 1/2" tubing

DanInSD · 12/31/2007, 04:13 PM

Uh, right. Just tried it. Duh...

Dan

kdblove_99 · 12/31/2007, 07:17 PM

That is how i have mine hooked up!

dc_909 · 12/31/2007, 07:40 PM

Anyone know what the GPH should be used through the reactors?

Craig Lambert · 12/31/2007, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elzool
I use a pump that puts out about 250gph and have it running into a reactor with GFO then to a reactor packed with carbon.

I only set it up in that order so I could blast the GFO and if any particulates got out, they would have to make it through the carbon before getting out into the sump.

From the output of the reactor with carbon I have that flowing into a filter sock that my overflow goes through, again preventing GFO or carbon from making it into the tank.... I hope.

If you blast GFO with high flow, it will pulverize itself and end up in your tank as fine powdery dust particles. This will cause problems for your corals. GFO should be very low flow, and barly tumble at the top of the media.

elzool · 01/01/2008, 12:01 PM

Mine isn't being pulverized, it's tumbling rapidly, but certainly far from being pulverized.

Any particles that are broken off would have to make it through three sponges at the top of that reactor, through the carbon reactor and then through my filter sock. I feel safe at night knowing it's ok.

kdblove_99 · 01/01/2008, 12:26 PM

I use a MJ 600 but have it throttled back

ToddG · 01/01/2008, 08:19 PM

I just got my second reactor to use for carbon. I will run it off a maxi-jet 600 most likely.

I am using phosban in my first reactor running off a mini-jet 404.

You benefit more from carbon being run with more flow than the phosban type media. So even though it would be much easier to run them daisy-chained, it isn't the best way to do it. Much better to just run them at the flow that is appropriate.

12/31/2007, 02:33 PM	#1
DanInSD Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,255	Daisy-chaining reactors Hello, all. Just need a sanity check. I am planning to add two PhosBan reactors to my reef tank, one with PhosBan media and one with activated carbon. It was my intent to daisy-chain these together (output of one goes into the input of the other, and then back into the sump) using a single QuietOne pump. Anyone else done this? Thanks, Dan

12/31/2007, 02:56 PM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Carbon in the first one, phosban in the second. Using an MJ400. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

12/31/2007, 04:02 PM	#7
flyguy7150 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines Posts: 895	the output on the mj fits perfectly with the 1/2" tubing __________________ Leo Click on my red house to see my 90g RR tank :) Tons of pictures, tons... Click!!! Current Tank Info: 90g AGA Reef Ready, 6x54w T5s w/ SLRs, 29g Sump/fuge, OR 2500 Return, Octopus NW150, 2 x TLF Phosban Reactor, Koralia #1, #4, MJ Modded

12/31/2007, 03:41 PM	#3
DanInSD Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,255	Cool, thanks much. Looks like you've got that valve open pretty much all the way -- I might have a spare MJ400 lying around, I can just use that... Hmmm... Did you buy the extra "plumbing kit" that they say is for attaching to the side of a sump? Dan

12/31/2007, 03:52 PM	#5
elzool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Glendale, AZ. Posts: 1,005	I use a pump that puts out about 250gph and have it running into a reactor with GFO then to a reactor packed with carbon. I only set it up in that order so I could blast the GFO and if any particulates got out, they would have to make it through the carbon before getting out into the sump. From the output of the reactor with carbon I have that flowing into a filter sock that my overflow goes through, again preventing GFO or carbon from making it into the tank.... I hope.

12/31/2007, 03:55 PM	#6
DanInSD Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,255	OK, so the QuietOne 1200 might be a better idea, then I can use the ball valve to limit the flow if necessary. One more thing -- how do you attach a MJ400 to 1/2" tubing? Thanks, Dan

12/31/2007, 04:13 PM	#8
DanInSD Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,255	Uh, right. Just tried it. Duh... Dan

12/31/2007, 07:17 PM	#9
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	That is how i have mine hooked up!

12/31/2007, 07:40 PM	#10
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	Anyone know what the GPH should be used through the reactors?

01/01/2008, 12:01 PM	#12
elzool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Glendale, AZ. Posts: 1,005	Mine isn't being pulverized, it's tumbling rapidly, but certainly far from being pulverized. Any particles that are broken off would have to make it through three sponges at the top of that reactor, through the carbon reactor and then through my filter sock. I feel safe at night knowing it's ok.

01/01/2008, 12:26 PM	#13
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I use a MJ 600 but have it throttled back

01/01/2008, 08:19 PM	#14
ToddG Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 67	I just got my second reactor to use for carbon. I will run it off a maxi-jet 600 most likely. I am using phosban in my first reactor running off a mini-jet 404. You benefit more from carbon being run with more flow than the phosban type media. So even though it would be much easier to run them daisy-chained, it isn't the best way to do it. Much better to just run them at the flow that is appropriate.