Does Your BRS GFO Reactor Even Work?

Fishnthecorner · 03/05/2012, 03:23 PM

Doesn't look like mine works too well. I have plenty of water flow through it (tee'd off my main return pump) Looks like it works for the first day or so... But then, who knows?

nanojg · 03/05/2012, 03:41 PM

Yes, my dual reactor works great

samiam1975 · 03/05/2012, 03:45 PM

yea i would like to know how you can tell if it is working maybe i have too much flow

Fishnthecorner · 03/05/2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanojg

Yes, my dual reactor works great

How do you know?

jrp1588 · 03/05/2012, 04:16 PM

How do you know yours isn't?

nanojg · 03/05/2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishnthecorner

How do you know?

I look at it and it is working as intended...

James77 · 03/05/2012, 04:40 PM

Ummmm....what's not working? Is it clogging up? Is it not reducing phosphate?

drparker · 03/05/2012, 04:54 PM

To answer the question of how I know mine is working. The reactor has water flowing through it, thus it works. The GFO slightly tumbles thus it's flow is adjusted properly.

The GFO you're putting in may not be working as you expect.

What where PO4 numbers before use? How much GFO and what type are you using? How often do you change it and what are your numbers now?

kieffer_5 · 03/05/2012, 05:13 PM

yes i use gfo in a two little fishies reactor which tumbles all day. it may not be working if you unplugged it or have it on a timer because then mine gets clogged
also you may not have enough flow throgh it. try hooking it to a mj1200

96p993 · 03/05/2012, 05:54 PM

Mine does its job...very little tumble on the carbon side and nice flow through my GFO section...No clogs, no issues

sasharotty · 03/05/2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishnthecorner

Looks like it works for the first day or so...

What do you mean by this? Is it tumbling for a day and then not?

elFloyd · 03/05/2012, 06:26 PM

Not working mechanically of chemically? Are you saying it is not working as far
as water quality...? Or, you can't get proper water flow?

Fishnthecorner · 03/05/2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasharotty

What do you mean by this? Is it tumbling for a day and then not?

Exactly.

Plus, How often should I change it?

James77 · 03/05/2012, 08:56 PM

It would vary system to system and which GFO- high capacity or regular- that you use. I would imagine that the average tank would be 1-2 months between changes for regular?

Well the flow problem can only really be caused by a couple things. Either the reactor is clogging with GFO dust or granules with too high intial flow or too high of a fill. Or the incoming flow is inconsistent for whatever reason.

Is there any way to throw the reactor on a maxi jet or something to see if the problem follows?

samiam1975 · 03/05/2012, 09:01 PM

oh ok so mine is probably working fine
i bought mine used and wasnt sure how to set it up

whats the best gfo to use in it?

James77 · 03/05/2012, 09:06 PM

Nothing like GFO sold by bulkreefsupply

. GFO is GFO. I use the regular pellets.

samiam1975 · 03/05/2012, 09:21 PM

ok thank you for the info

Fishnthecorner · 03/06/2012, 05:50 AM

I had it hooked up to a maxi-jet 1200. The flow decreased significantly over a couple of days. So now it's tee'd off of my Iwaki 70rlt, which is more than enough flow. I may have too much GFO in the reactor... It is nearly full (according to BRS Website) 4 cups is required, but it doesn't fit that much...

The GFO granules gets split. Meaning there is about 2" of GFO in the bottom of the reactor, and about 8" in the top of the reactor. The bottom 2" tumbles for a few days, then stops. The flow coming out of the reactor is steady and constant.

doctorgori · 03/06/2012, 07:33 AM

Short answer: no....
mine seemed to work for a while, then clog....
After a few months of that nonsense. I broke down and bought 2ea TLF 150'S and couldn't be Happier...
there are at least a couple threads here on BRS reactors...

James77 · 03/06/2012, 07:35 AM

It is not supposed to be split like that. Mine does do that when i first start it up, I usually have to tap the reactor to get it all to the bottom where it can boil. My guess is that the gfo at the top is clogging with dust and detritus which slows the flow.

DHyslop · 03/06/2012, 01:38 PM

Pulsing the flow by opening and closing the valve rapidly, along with tapping like Jim said, will help drop the top half if the media "splits." Honestly I'm sure it works just fine even when split, as long as the granules on top of the bottom group are dancing you know you're pushing the right amount of flow through.

For the record I have eight BRS reactors in constant use on several different setups, all driven by gate valve manifolds and all using the newer clear cartridges. I have no problems at all with them and I've become an BRS evangelist.

d0ughb0y · 03/06/2012, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorgori

Short answer: no....
mine seemed to work for a while, then clog....
After a few months of that nonsense. I broke down and bought 2ea TLF 150'S and couldn't be Happier...
there are at least a couple threads here on BRS reactors...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishnthecorner

I had it hooked up to a maxi-jet 1200. The flow decreased significantly over a couple of days. So now it's tee'd off of my Iwaki 70rlt, which is more than enough flow. I may have too much GFO in the reactor... It is nearly full (according to BRS Website) 4 cups is required, but it doesn't fit that much...

The GFO granules gets split. Meaning there is about 2" of GFO in the bottom of the reactor, and about 8" in the top of the reactor. The bottom 2" tumbles for a few days, then stops. The flow coming out of the reactor is steady and constant.

if you do a search, you will see the problem comes up from time to time. get a real reactor instead of using a water filter canister. even a maxijet 400 works fine with tlf reactor. you shouldn't have to go as far as hook up a reactor to an iwaki pump.

drparker · 03/06/2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

if you do a search, you will see the problem comes up from time to time. get a real reactor instead of using a water filter canister. even a maxijet 400 works fine with tlf reactor. you shouldn't have to go as far as hook up a reactor to an iwaki pump.

I replaced two of the cheaply made, tends to leak TLF reactors with the BRS unit. I agree that the Maxi 400 is all you need. Either you are overfilling it or starting with too much flow, the GFO should stay at the bottom. I start with the flow valve shut and slowly open it until the GFO just tumbles, I've never had a problem.

96p993 · 03/06/2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

if you do a search, you will see the problem comes up from time to time. get a real reactor instead of using a water filter canister. even a maxijet 400 works fine with tlf reactor. you shouldn't have to go as far as hook up a reactor to an iwaki pump.

So I should replace any piece of equipment if I see a problem come up from time to time from other people??

Meshmez · 03/06/2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96p993

So I should replace any piece of equipment if I see a problem come up from time to time from other people??

Yep, replace your tank, i have heard they crack sometimes!

To the op, If its clogging it is normally an issue with either flow or quantity. It sounds like you are running a LOT of GFO...

03/05/2012, 03:23 PM	#1
Fishnthecorner Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: United States Posts: 430	Does Your BRS GFO Reactor Even Work? Doesn't look like mine works too well. I have plenty of water flow through it (tee'd off my main return pump) Looks like it works for the first day or so... But then, who knows? __________________ My Tank: http://www.rmgconstruction.com/1000L%20FOWLR.htm Current Tank Info: 1000L FOWLR Corner Bow

03/05/2012, 03:45 PM	#3
samiam1975 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 59	reactor yea i would like to know how you can tell if it is working maybe i have too much flow

03/05/2012, 04:40 PM	#7
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Ummmm....what's not working? Is it clogging up? Is it not reducing phosphate? __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

03/05/2012, 08:56 PM	#14
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	It would vary system to system and which GFO- high capacity or regular- that you use. I would imagine that the average tank would be 1-2 months between changes for regular? Well the flow problem can only really be caused by a couple things. Either the reactor is clogging with GFO dust or granules with too high intial flow or too high of a fill. Or the incoming flow is inconsistent for whatever reason. Is there any way to throw the reactor on a maxi jet or something to see if the problem follows? __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

03/05/2012, 09:01 PM	#15
samiam1975 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 59	reactor oh ok so mine is probably working fine i bought mine used and wasnt sure how to set it up whats the best gfo to use in it?

03/05/2012, 03:41 PM	#2
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	Yes, my dual reactor works great

03/05/2012, 04:16 PM	#5
jrp1588 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 1,864	How do you know yours isn't?

03/05/2012, 04:54 PM	#8
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	To answer the question of how I know mine is working. The reactor has water flowing through it, thus it works. The GFO slightly tumbles thus it's flow is adjusted properly. The GFO you're putting in may not be working as you expect. What where PO4 numbers before use? How much GFO and what type are you using? How often do you change it and what are your numbers now?

03/05/2012, 05:13 PM	#9
kieffer_5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 66	yes i use gfo in a two little fishies reactor which tumbles all day. it may not be working if you unplugged it or have it on a timer because then mine gets clogged also you may not have enough flow throgh it. try hooking it to a mj1200

03/05/2012, 05:54 PM	#10
96p993 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mckinney, Tx Posts: 1,130	Mine does its job...very little tumble on the carbon side and nice flow through my GFO section...No clogs, no issues

03/05/2012, 06:26 PM	#12
elFloyd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 421	Not working mechanically of chemically? Are you saying it is not working as far as water quality...? Or, you can't get proper water flow?

03/05/2012, 09:06 PM	#16
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Nothing like GFO sold by bulkreefsupply . GFO is GFO. I use the regular pellets. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

03/05/2012, 09:21 PM	#17
samiam1975 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 59	media ok thank you for the info

03/06/2012, 05:50 AM	#18
Fishnthecorner Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: United States Posts: 430	I had it hooked up to a maxi-jet 1200. The flow decreased significantly over a couple of days. So now it's tee'd off of my Iwaki 70rlt, which is more than enough flow. I may have too much GFO in the reactor... It is nearly full (according to BRS Website) 4 cups is required, but it doesn't fit that much... The GFO granules gets split. Meaning there is about 2" of GFO in the bottom of the reactor, and about 8" in the top of the reactor. The bottom 2" tumbles for a few days, then stops. The flow coming out of the reactor is steady and constant. __________________ My Tank: http://www.rmgconstruction.com/1000L%20FOWLR.htm Current Tank Info: 1000L FOWLR Corner Bow

03/06/2012, 07:33 AM	#19
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	Short answer: no.... mine seemed to work for a while, then clog.... After a few months of that nonsense. I broke down and bought 2ea TLF 150'S and couldn't be Happier... there are at least a couple threads here on BRS reactors...

03/06/2012, 07:35 AM	#20
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	It is not supposed to be split like that. Mine does do that when i first start it up, I usually have to tap the reactor to get it all to the bottom where it can boil. My guess is that the gfo at the top is clogging with dust and detritus which slows the flow. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

03/06/2012, 01:38 PM	#21
DHyslop Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,085	Pulsing the flow by opening and closing the valve rapidly, along with tapping like Jim said, will help drop the top half if the media "splits." Honestly I'm sure it works just fine even when split, as long as the granules on top of the bottom group are dancing you know you're pushing the right amount of flow through. For the record I have eight BRS reactors in constant use on several different setups, all driven by gate valve manifolds and all using the newer clear cartridges. I have no problems at all with them and I've become an BRS evangelist.