BRS Carbon keeps clogging why??

Reefer08 · 04/07/2009, 10:38 PM

I bought a 5lb jug of fine grain carbon from Bulk reef supply and it keeps getting clogged. It runs good for a week then the water stops and gets clogged. Im running it in a media reactor with a maxi jet 1200 feeding it water.

I never had this problem with the large grain carbon, I wish I didn't buy this fine grain!! Supposedly its more effective?? Is this true??

Thanks

150er · 04/07/2009, 10:46 PM

Your small grain size Carbon can trap the detrius. you might want to reduce amount of carbon in the reactor to get more flow .

woz9683 · 04/07/2009, 11:19 PM

I just fluidize it so it can't trap anything. I did have that problem a couple of times before I did this. Just make sure you rinse the carbon very well; it will help minimize the dust from the fluidized carbon. I don't really notice any carbon dust in my system even though my reactor is fluidized., but I do rinse it very thoroughly.

Reefer08 · 04/08/2009, 03:05 PM

what do you mean you fluidize it???

Mister Scopas · 04/08/2009, 03:26 PM

he's referring to fluidization of the media, as you would have in a fluidized sand bed filter.

provide just enough flow into the bottom of the reactor so that the carbon begins to move instead of standing still. be careful though, fluidization can result in agitation of the media, causing it to fracture and release fine particles into the water column.

woz9683 · 04/08/2009, 05:09 PM

Yep, ^^^ that's what I meant. I have it at about the same amount of flow that is suggested for GFO, it looks like the surface is just slightly "bubbling." I had problems with the same type of media before doing it like this. If you're worried about fines in the system you could put a filter sock over the outlet. But like I said, I don't have one and really haven't noticed much in the way of fines.

Oh, and yes it is supposed to be more effective, smaller grains have better surface area to volume ratio. More surface area means more pores in which to trap compounds.

Reefer08 · 04/08/2009, 05:12 PM

Ill just run it in a media bag in one of my baffles thanks. The fluidize idea sounds good but id worry way too much on the carbon grinding itself into powder.

burtbollinger · 04/08/2009, 11:09 PM

large lignite is suggested for the media reactor...from the brs site it says not to fluidize GAC.

04/07/2009, 10:38 PM	#1
Reefer08 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,812	BRS Carbon keeps clogging why?? I bought a 5lb jug of fine grain carbon from Bulk reef supply and it keeps getting clogged. It runs good for a week then the water stops and gets clogged. Im running it in a media reactor with a maxi jet 1200 feeding it water. I never had this problem with the large grain carbon, I wish I didn't buy this fine grain!! Supposedly its more effective?? Is this true?? Thanks

04/07/2009, 11:19 PM	#3
woz9683 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 1,029	I just fluidize it so it can't trap anything. I did have that problem a couple of times before I did this. Just make sure you rinse the carbon very well; it will help minimize the dust from the fluidized carbon. I don't really notice any carbon dust in my system even though my reactor is fluidized., but I do rinse it very thoroughly. __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: 195G (125G Display, 70G Sump)

04/08/2009, 05:09 PM	#6
woz9683 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 1,029	Yep, ^^^ that's what I meant. I have it at about the same amount of flow that is suggested for GFO, it looks like the surface is just slightly "bubbling." I had problems with the same type of media before doing it like this. If you're worried about fines in the system you could put a filter sock over the outlet. But like I said, I don't have one and really haven't noticed much in the way of fines. Oh, and yes it is supposed to be more effective, smaller grains have better surface area to volume ratio. More surface area means more pores in which to trap compounds. __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: 195G (125G Display, 70G Sump)

04/07/2009, 10:46 PM	#2
150er Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: OC Posts: 213	Your small grain size Carbon can trap the detrius. you might want to reduce amount of carbon in the reactor to get more flow .

04/08/2009, 03:05 PM	#4
Reefer08 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,812	what do you mean you fluidize it???

04/08/2009, 03:26 PM	#5
Mister Scopas Moved On Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 105	he's referring to fluidization of the media, as you would have in a fluidized sand bed filter. provide just enough flow into the bottom of the reactor so that the carbon begins to move instead of standing still. be careful though, fluidization can result in agitation of the media, causing it to fracture and release fine particles into the water column.

04/08/2009, 05:12 PM	#7
Reefer08 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,812	Ill just run it in a media bag in one of my baffles thanks. The fluidize idea sounds good but id worry way too much on the carbon grinding itself into powder.

04/08/2009, 11:09 PM	#8
burtbollinger Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 463	large lignite is suggested for the media reactor...from the brs site it says not to fluidize GAC.