just installed my GFO reactor, is this right?

ExpensiveHobby · 12/26/2014, 03:44 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUxq...ature=youtu.be

SHouldnt the GFO just tumble lightly? Is this too much?

billdogg · 12/26/2014, 03:47 PM

That seems too much to me. Try putting a valve between the pump and the reactor. You can find them at a decent big box hardware store with the JG style plastic fittings.

hth

slief · 12/26/2014, 03:51 PM

Way way too much flow. You only want the GFO to tumble on the surface. You shouldn't see any movement anywhere but the surface and it should be very subtle movement/tumbling.

ExpensiveHobby · 12/26/2014, 04:12 PM

well that sucks. I read nothing but great reviews on it and im disappointed in the first 5 minutes

Dustin Thompson · 12/26/2014, 04:38 PM

Could you adjust the two strainers and foam vertically to not allow it to tumble so much? What does that hog have for a pump on it?

slief · 12/26/2014, 04:58 PM

Put a small gate valve on the effluent side so you can adjust the flow.

Lavoisier · 12/26/2014, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExpensiveHobby

well that sucks. I read nothing but great reviews on it and im disappointed in the first 5 minutes

Our hobby is always about adjustments. You have a great product, you just need to tailor it to your system.

Zacktosterone · 12/26/2014, 09:52 PM

Like everyone else has posted. Ball valve it lol

jamroz37 · 12/27/2014, 03:04 PM

Agreed a little lighter flow

outssider · 12/27/2014, 05:08 PM

the only reason you need it to tumble at all is so it won't bind together with calcium carbonate and become a solid clump. The slower you can pass water through the reactor, the better. (providing it doesn't clump)

ExpensiveHobby · 12/28/2014, 07:24 PM

I still need help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc1_...ature=youtu.be

I increased the pre GFO filters from 2 to 4. Added more GFO to make it heavier. Put filter floss over the intake on the pump to slow that down... Nothing. Still blowing GFO everywhere. The pump itself is set on the lowest setting which says 10gph

Went to home depot and lowes. They do not make ball valves that small. I measure the female end on the pump its between 2/8 and 3/8 of an inch the male end on the reactor itself is smaller to fit in the pump

slief · 12/28/2014, 08:03 PM

You don't need help. You need a valve!!

Packing your reactor full of all kinds of stuff from GFO to Filter Floss isn't going to help as you saw. You need to restrict the flow coming out of the unit as mentioned. Looking at the pictures and video, is the output on that reactor threaded? It looks like the water just flows out of a hole. If I am seeing it right, you should try to plumb a fitting in there so you can attach some nylon tubing and a small valve like the one in the link below. Frankly, I am also surprised there isn't an adjustment on that reactor or it's pump to slow the flow down.

You can find all kinds of smaller valves at places like Marine Depot, Fosters and Smith etc. Also, check Lowes. They have a handful of smaller valves for John Guest style fittings. You might find something you can use there. Heck depending on the inlet and outlet of your reactor, you could even change the plumbing on it to push lock style semi rigid tubing. Check out Lowes plumbing section.

If not, order something like this and install it on the effluent (output) side in line on the nylon tubing or what ever you are using.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Two_Littl...FTVLBV-vi.html

ExpensiveHobby · 12/28/2014, 08:33 PM

Im a little confused about what are saying with the output of the reactor. There are three holes in the glass but they are not threaded.
I dont think i can customize anything using those holes and if i did would limiting the amount of output affect the flow rate coming in?

The pump does have an adjustment.
4 settings from 10gph to 52. I have it on 10 now. Neither the male end of the pump or the female end of the reactor is threaded

RobinsonFam1 · 12/28/2014, 08:52 PM

they may not sell one that small but if you get a hose bard to threaded adapter then you can screw it into a ball valve that they do stock. i do know that they typically stock 1/2" pvc valves all day too.
check with us plastics.com also. local plumbing supply should be able to help too. i see no reason that HD/Lowes/Ace etc wont have what you need though.

ExpensiveHobby · 12/28/2014, 10:06 PM

This may seem ghetto but could i just cover up half of the intake grate with duct tape as a long term solution?

12/26/2014, 03:44 PM	#1
ExpensiveHobby Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore Metro Posts: 834	just installed my GFO reactor, is this right? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUxq...ature=youtu.be SHouldnt the GFO just tumble lightly? Is this too much? __________________ -Custom 4'x3'x16" rimless display tank. 3 Ocean Revive T247's, BRS Dual Reactors, ASM G4XX Skimmer, Hydor Smart Wave System, JBJ A-T-O, BRS Dosers. -Custom 6'x10"x10" fowlr, cadlights skimmer, Curr

12/26/2014, 03:47 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	That seems too much to me. Try putting a valve between the pump and the reactor. You can find them at a decent big box hardware store with the JG style plastic fittings. 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

12/26/2014, 03:51 PM	#3
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Way way too much flow. You only want the GFO to tumble on the surface. You shouldn't see any movement anywhere but the surface and it should be very subtle movement/tumbling. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

12/26/2014, 04:12 PM	#4
ExpensiveHobby Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore Metro Posts: 834	well that sucks. I read nothing but great reviews on it and im disappointed in the first 5 minutes __________________ -Custom 4'x3'x16" rimless display tank. 3 Ocean Revive T247's, BRS Dual Reactors, ASM G4XX Skimmer, Hydor Smart Wave System, JBJ A-T-O, BRS Dosers. -Custom 6'x10"x10" fowlr, cadlights skimmer, Curr

12/26/2014, 04:58 PM	#6
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Put a small gate valve on the effluent side so you can adjust the flow. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

12/26/2014, 04:38 PM	#5
Dustin Thompson Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 32	Could you adjust the two strainers and foam vertically to not allow it to tumble so much? What does that hog have for a pump on it?

12/26/2014, 09:52 PM	#8
Zacktosterone Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Sault Ste Marie Ont Posts: 2,475	Like everyone else has posted. Ball valve it lol

12/27/2014, 03:04 PM	#9
jamroz37 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Saint John, IN Posts: 101	Agreed a little lighter flow

12/27/2014, 05:08 PM	#10
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	the only reason you need it to tumble at all is so it won't bind together with calcium carbonate and become a solid clump. The slower you can pass water through the reactor, the better. (providing it doesn't clump)

12/28/2014, 07:24 PM	#11
ExpensiveHobby Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore Metro Posts: 834	I still need help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc1_...ature=youtu.be I increased the pre GFO filters from 2 to 4. Added more GFO to make it heavier. Put filter floss over the intake on the pump to slow that down... Nothing. Still blowing GFO everywhere. The pump itself is set on the lowest setting which says 10gph Went to home depot and lowes. They do not make ball valves that small. I measure the female end on the pump its between 2/8 and 3/8 of an inch the male end on the reactor itself is smaller to fit in the pump __________________ -Custom 4'x3'x16" rimless display tank. 3 Ocean Revive T247's, BRS Dual Reactors, ASM G4XX Skimmer, Hydor Smart Wave System, JBJ A-T-O, BRS Dosers. -Custom 6'x10"x10" fowlr, cadlights skimmer, Curr

12/28/2014, 08:03 PM	#12
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	You don't need help. You need a valve!! Packing your reactor full of all kinds of stuff from GFO to Filter Floss isn't going to help as you saw. You need to restrict the flow coming out of the unit as mentioned. Looking at the pictures and video, is the output on that reactor threaded? It looks like the water just flows out of a hole. If I am seeing it right, you should try to plumb a fitting in there so you can attach some nylon tubing and a small valve like the one in the link below. Frankly, I am also surprised there isn't an adjustment on that reactor or it's pump to slow the flow down. You can find all kinds of smaller valves at places like Marine Depot, Fosters and Smith etc. Also, check Lowes. They have a handful of smaller valves for John Guest style fittings. You might find something you can use there. Heck depending on the inlet and outlet of your reactor, you could even change the plumbing on it to push lock style semi rigid tubing. Check out Lowes plumbing section. If not, order something like this and install it on the effluent (output) side in line on the nylon tubing or what ever you are using. http://www.marinedepot.com/Two_Littl...FTVLBV-vi.html __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 Last edited by slief; 12/28/2014 at 08:09 PM.

12/28/2014, 08:33 PM	#13
ExpensiveHobby Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore Metro Posts: 834	Im a little confused about what are saying with the output of the reactor. There are three holes in the glass but they are not threaded. I dont think i can customize anything using those holes and if i did would limiting the amount of output affect the flow rate coming in? The pump does have an adjustment. 4 settings from 10gph to 52. I have it on 10 now. Neither the male end of the pump or the female end of the reactor is threaded __________________ -Custom 4'x3'x16" rimless display tank. 3 Ocean Revive T247's, BRS Dual Reactors, ASM G4XX Skimmer, Hydor Smart Wave System, JBJ A-T-O, BRS Dosers. -Custom 6'x10"x10" fowlr, cadlights skimmer, Curr

12/28/2014, 08:52 PM	#14
RobinsonFam1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: USA Posts: 616	they may not sell one that small but if you get a hose bard to threaded adapter then you can screw it into a ball valve that they do stock. i do know that they typically stock 1/2" pvc valves all day too. check with us plastics.com also. local plumbing supply should be able to help too. i see no reason that HD/Lowes/Ace etc wont have what you need though.

12/28/2014, 10:06 PM	#15
ExpensiveHobby Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore Metro Posts: 834	This may seem ghetto but could i just cover up half of the intake grate with duct tape as a long term solution? __________________ -Custom 4'x3'x16" rimless display tank. 3 Ocean Revive T247's, BRS Dual Reactors, ASM G4XX Skimmer, Hydor Smart Wave System, JBJ A-T-O, BRS Dosers. -Custom 6'x10"x10" fowlr, cadlights skimmer, Curr