BRS Reactor clogged again!

petesreef · 01/20/2009, 02:36 AM

Myself and a few friends of mine seem to be having the same problem with the Bulk Reef Supply reactor filter sections clogging up. I have washed out my filter seperator pads and tossed GFO sooner than I am sure need to be. The flow gets slower and slower through the reactor over a few weeks. Should I be running a pre-filter on the maxi-jet to keep the bigger garbage out of the reactor pads? I know many have bought these on here on the group buys and wondering if anyone else is having the same issue..

Garage1217 · 01/20/2009, 09:35 AM

Run a pre-filter. Also do not toss the gfo just because the reactor clogs a little, rinse it out. Same with carbon.

petesreef · 01/21/2009, 12:26 AM

How often do you change the GFO and carbon. I know the GFO lasts a bit longer right.

30reef · 01/21/2009, 02:10 AM

I have always used the "Phosban" reactor from TLF and a minijet. I have not ever had any problems with the media caking together. The media should get enough flow to slightly (very slightly) tumble the grains on the top. This should be enough to prevent caking. Do you run the maxi-jet at full flow? (which maxi-jet is it?) That is too much flow if it is running at 100%.

Right off the bat, the GFO will become exhausted quickly, but the second batch that is put in should last quite a bit longer, up to several months. Sounds like you have been running it for a while so that doesn't apply to you. To be politically correct, one must measure the phosphate levels with a colorometer based test and replace the GFO when levels begin to rise.

I used to mix the GFO and carbon together at a 1:3 ratio of GFO to carbon. The BRS GFO and Lignite carbon granules are exactly the same size so they tumble well together. Without testing, I would say once a month to 6 weeks would be a good interval. I would be inclined to change it more often to avoid having the levels go to their extremes everytime it is changed, and maybe change it in the few weeks in between a WC, just so things stay on a better level. I know in my 30g, the stability was what was important.

01/20/2009, 02:36 AM	#1
petesreef Registered Member. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 527	BRS Reactor clogged again! Myself and a few friends of mine seem to be having the same problem with the Bulk Reef Supply reactor filter sections clogging up. I have washed out my filter seperator pads and tossed GFO sooner than I am sure need to be. The flow gets slower and slower through the reactor over a few weeks. Should I be running a pre-filter on the maxi-jet to keep the bigger garbage out of the reactor pads? I know many have bought these on here on the group buys and wondering if anyone else is having the same issue..

01/20/2009, 09:35 AM	#2
Garage1217 GET OFF MY LAWN Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Globally Posts: 5,863	Run a pre-filter. Also do not toss the gfo just because the reactor clogs a little, rinse it out. Same with carbon. __________________ No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness ~ Aristotle If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? ~ Albert Einstein I'm just as bent as ever. Hellishly so ~ Captain Jack Sparrow Current Tank Info: Systems and goodies by Lee-Mar / Coralvue / Neptune Systems / Jager / Spectrapure / Cree / Meanwell + more!

01/21/2009, 02:10 AM	#4
30reef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,401	I have always used the "Phosban" reactor from TLF and a minijet. I have not ever had any problems with the media caking together. The media should get enough flow to slightly (very slightly) tumble the grains on the top. This should be enough to prevent caking. Do you run the maxi-jet at full flow? (which maxi-jet is it?) That is too much flow if it is running at 100%. Right off the bat, the GFO will become exhausted quickly, but the second batch that is put in should last quite a bit longer, up to several months. Sounds like you have been running it for a while so that doesn't apply to you. To be politically correct, one must measure the phosphate levels with a colorometer based test and replace the GFO when levels begin to rise. I used to mix the GFO and carbon together at a 1:3 ratio of GFO to carbon. The BRS GFO and Lignite carbon granules are exactly the same size so they tumble well together. Without testing, I would say once a month to 6 weeks would be a good interval. I would be inclined to change it more often to avoid having the levels go to their extremes everytime it is changed, and maybe change it in the few weeks in between a WC, just so things stay on a better level. I know in my 30g, the stability was what was important. Last edited by 30reef; 01/21/2009 at 02:18 AM.

01/21/2009, 12:26 AM	#3
petesreef Registered Member. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 527	How often do you change the GFO and carbon. I know the GFO lasts a bit longer right.