TLF150 Reactor Question

Gagonzalez · 07/23/2013, 09:11 AM

I have a TLF150 Reactor on my nano and it has worked fine for a while now until 2 days ago. I usually use 2/3cup of Phosban in the unit but lately I have had algae issues so I upped it to 1 cup. Problem now is that within 24hrs (usually overnight) everything gets pushed up.

I usually set it to just tumble at the top and that didn't work. I tried to tumble a little more and that seems to work until this morning when everything was 1/2 way up the tube.

What can I do? Can I remove the sponge maybe? Help!

Donkeykong · 07/23/2013, 11:06 AM

removing the sponge will not help, it will probably make it worse. You said "I usually set it to just tumble at the top and that didn't work", what do you mean that didn't work? If the GFO is being pushed up the water column then there is way to much flow.

Gagonzalez · 07/23/2013, 01:12 PM

From what I understand about the Reactor, you're suppose to turn up the adjustment knob until the very top of the GFO starts to tumble slightly. This is where I had it. Is this wrong?

Donkeykong · 07/23/2013, 04:09 PM

So you had it just slightly rumbling, then over night it started rising all the gfo to half way up the reactor? Or you couldn't get it to slightly rumble at all?

Gagonzalez · 07/23/2013, 04:37 PM

Exactly as you state......."had it just slightly rumbling, then over night it started rising all the gfo to half way up the reactor".

YoungREEFA · 07/24/2013, 08:30 AM

The flow rate had to of increased via the adjustment knob, keep an eye on it, could it be turning itself?

Gagonzalez · 07/24/2013, 09:47 AM

No. It's very tight so there's no way it moved. In fact I need to use two hands to move it. One to hold the unit and the other to turn the knob.

I did get a good idea from another post on the unit though. I was told to use a zip tie that is tied around the center tube and pushed down over the sponge. This should keep enough pressure on the sponge for it to stay in place regardless of the flow.

I am going to try this today during my water change. Thanks

coverdog · 07/26/2013, 07:10 AM

Sounds like a pump issue.

Gagonzalez · 07/26/2013, 12:30 PM

Actually, the TLF150 Units are not exactly the best units made. The sponges at the bottom and top are very flimsy and not stiff at all. By placing the zip tie on the center tube, it really seems to help and I have now had it on for a few days with no rising issues. Problem solved. Thanks

07/23/2013, 09:11 AM	#1
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	TLF150 Reactor Question I have a TLF150 Reactor on my nano and it has worked fine for a while now until 2 days ago. I usually use 2/3cup of Phosban in the unit but lately I have had algae issues so I upped it to 1 cup. Problem now is that within 24hrs (usually overnight) everything gets pushed up. I usually set it to just tumble at the top and that didn't work. I tried to tumble a little more and that seems to work until this morning when everything was 1/2 way up the tube. What can I do? Can I remove the sponge maybe? Help!

07/23/2013, 11:06 AM	#2
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	removing the sponge will not help, it will probably make it worse. You said "I usually set it to just tumble at the top and that didn't work", what do you mean that didn't work? If the GFO is being pushed up the water column then there is way to much flow.

07/23/2013, 01:12 PM	#3
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	From what I understand about the Reactor, you're suppose to turn up the adjustment knob until the very top of the GFO starts to tumble slightly. This is where I had it. Is this wrong?

07/23/2013, 04:09 PM	#4
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	So you had it just slightly rumbling, then over night it started rising all the gfo to half way up the reactor? Or you couldn't get it to slightly rumble at all?

07/23/2013, 04:37 PM	#5
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	Exactly as you state......."had it just slightly rumbling, then over night it started rising all the gfo to half way up the reactor".

07/24/2013, 08:30 AM	#6
YoungREEFA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 895	The flow rate had to of increased via the adjustment knob, keep an eye on it, could it be turning itself?

07/24/2013, 09:47 AM	#7
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	No. It's very tight so there's no way it moved. In fact I need to use two hands to move it. One to hold the unit and the other to turn the knob. I did get a good idea from another post on the unit though. I was told to use a zip tie that is tied around the center tube and pushed down over the sponge. This should keep enough pressure on the sponge for it to stay in place regardless of the flow. I am going to try this today during my water change. Thanks

07/26/2013, 07:10 AM	#8
coverdog Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SW Fl. Posts: 189	Sounds like a pump issue.

07/26/2013, 12:30 PM	#9
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	Actually, the TLF150 Units are not exactly the best units made. The sponges at the bottom and top are very flimsy and not stiff at all. By placing the zip tie on the center tube, it really seems to help and I have now had it on for a few days with no rising issues. Problem solved. Thanks