BRS Two stage reactor question

Lyfey · 03/25/2010, 08:51 AM

Quick question on the BRS reactor. Inside each chamber are 3 sponge filters. The first chamber is for GFO and directions say to leave the middle sponge in and the carbon side to take it out and put it back in so its on top of the media. I put my GFO inside the chamber and it doesnt seem right with 3 sponges in there, one is just sorta sitting sideways. My GFO tumbles slightly on the top of the media and the carbon tumbles aggressively under the final sponge. The MJ1200 is run open throttle but the reactor at the moment is lower than the sump.

How do you reefers run your two stage reactors, ie specifically the sponge filters and placement of the filters?

billdogg · 03/25/2010, 08:55 AM

i use the third sponge in the carbon filter to compress it so that it does not tumble - if it does, it will grind itself away to nothing. GFo, on the other hand should tumble a little bit. sounds like you have that one about right

Lyfey · 03/25/2010, 08:58 AM

Ok for GFO you run 2 filters at the bottom, GFO then the final sponge at top and the same for carbon? This is the first time ever using a reactor for me and GFO so I cannot over use the GFO, right now I am only running about 1 inch in the first reactor and about 3 inches of carbon in the second.

Right now I have in GFO chamber, from bottom to top. 1 sponge on bottom, then another sponge sitting on its side dividing the chamber with GFO on both sides of the sponge then the final filter at the very top to stop any small debris.

serum153 · 03/25/2010, 09:44 AM

Watch the video on their website. I have the same reactor and my group starts with bottom sponge, gfo, about half way up is another sponge that sits flat but high enough so it doesn't compress the media and finally the top sponge that is squeezed in
The carbon has the bottom sponge and then a lot of empty space,sponge,carbon,sponge. I also compress theaponge as tight as I can to the top

Lyfey · 03/25/2010, 09:58 AM

Ok awesome serum! I'll check that video out. I understand how you have yours setup now. Thank you!

-Chris

Lyfey · 03/25/2010, 12:06 PM

Videos dont work here at work.
I bought the best GFO, the one thats the most expensive, I used 5 1/2 tablespoons for a 75 gallon tank and 30 gal sump. How long does GFO last and carbon in a reactor? I have always used the mesh bag for carbon and change it once every 3-4 weeks.

GFO binds p04 inside of it correct? Can it re-release it back into the water column?

03/25/2010, 08:51 AM	#1
Lyfey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 842	BRS Two stage reactor question Quick question on the BRS reactor. Inside each chamber are 3 sponge filters. The first chamber is for GFO and directions say to leave the middle sponge in and the carbon side to take it out and put it back in so its on top of the media. I put my GFO inside the chamber and it doesnt seem right with 3 sponges in there, one is just sorta sitting sideways. My GFO tumbles slightly on the top of the media and the carbon tumbles aggressively under the final sponge. The MJ1200 is run open throttle but the reactor at the moment is lower than the sump. How do you reefers run your two stage reactors, ie specifically the sponge filters and placement of the filters?

03/25/2010, 08:55 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	i use the third sponge in the carbon filter to compress it so that it does not tumble - if it does, it will grind itself away to nothing. GFo, on the other hand should tumble a little bit. sounds like you have that one about right __________________ 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

03/25/2010, 08:58 AM	#3
Lyfey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 842	Ok for GFO you run 2 filters at the bottom, GFO then the final sponge at top and the same for carbon? This is the first time ever using a reactor for me and GFO so I cannot over use the GFO, right now I am only running about 1 inch in the first reactor and about 3 inches of carbon in the second. Right now I have in GFO chamber, from bottom to top. 1 sponge on bottom, then another sponge sitting on its side dividing the chamber with GFO on both sides of the sponge then the final filter at the very top to stop any small debris.

03/25/2010, 09:44 AM	#4
serum153 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reno Posts: 584	Watch the video on their website. I have the same reactor and my group starts with bottom sponge, gfo, about half way up is another sponge that sits flat but high enough so it doesn't compress the media and finally the top sponge that is squeezed in The carbon has the bottom sponge and then a lot of empty space,sponge,carbon,sponge. I also compress theaponge as tight as I can to the top

03/25/2010, 09:58 AM	#5
Lyfey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 842	Ok awesome serum! I'll check that video out. I understand how you have yours setup now. Thank you! -Chris

03/25/2010, 12:06 PM	#6
Lyfey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 842	Videos dont work here at work. I bought the best GFO, the one thats the most expensive, I used 5 1/2 tablespoons for a 75 gallon tank and 30 gal sump. How long does GFO last and carbon in a reactor? I have always used the mesh bag for carbon and change it once every 3-4 weeks. GFO binds p04 inside of it correct? Can it re-release it back into the water column?