Best GFO and carbon reactor??

[den75]

For you guys that have the BRS dual reactor... no matter what I do I can't get my GFO to tumble more than maybe 1/4" at most at the very top. I run GFO in the first container and Carbon in the second. I've tried 1/3 full GFO all the way to to 2/3 GFO with the same problem.

BRS suggested mixing them together and holding them together with the sponges.. but i would rather figure it out. Any ideas? Sorry if I hijacked the thread.

Thus is the main reason I stopped using the dual reactor from BRS. With individual reactors you can control the flow independently through each.

 

[buzzword]

Anyone use the Spectra Pure Dual reactor? I like the fact that you can control the flow to each reactor independently needing only the one pump. Been looking for reactors myself and keep being drawn back to this one.

 

[lyrical]

Thus is the main reason I stopped using the dual reactor from BRS. With individual reactors you can control the flow independently through each.

But why would that matter when the flow is turned up to 100%? The carbon is in the second chamber held together with sponges and does not move. I don't see where flow control would have anything to do with what my problem is. The flow is 100% and the GFO still won't tumble more than a tiny amount. What am I missing?

 

[millertyler22]

Brs reactor here also I ordered it when I ordered all my equipment but it is very well built I have dropped mine on accident a few times and it still works great

 

[bayoupr]

I use the AquaMaxx reactors, work great.

 

[lyrical]

Brs reactor here also I ordered it when I ordered all my equipment but it is very well built I have dropped mine on accident a few times and it still works great

Maybe mine hates me lol

 

[saltyhog]

Not a fan of the dual reactor since you can't adjust the flow individually and GFO needs more flow than carbon. I use two of the individual BRS reactors plumbed off of a manifold. Works great for me.

 

[moreef]

Thanks guys. I am using the pump that came with the reactor it was a package deal. It also comes with a valve to control the flow which I have all the way open. I don't mind using less GFO but when I used only like 1/3 and it still doesn't tumble that just seems wrong to me. I was going to buy a second one as I know one isn't big enough for my tank but with this experience so far I'm not so sure I am going to.[/QUO



Is the pump a maxi jet? If so is it the cobalt or marine land. I had the dual reactor and had same problem with gfo not tumbling. I was using the marineland maxijet 1200 and it is a point of sale imo. Their reactors are built really nice like rodi units but never worked for me.

 

[moreef]

Don't know what happened to my post lol. Was asking if your pump was the maxijet and if so was it the cobalt or marineland point of sale? I had same dual reactor with marineland pump and couldn't get it to tumble either. I was disappointed and sold it but they are made really nice and was prob user error

 

[lyrical]

It's the cobalt version. The pump seems fine from what I can tell. The output hose has a strong constant flow. It will tumble for a few hours then slowly start getting "hard" from the bottom up and eventually only tumble the very top part. BRS support said this happens sometimes in systems that get clogged for whatever the reason but it's not clogged and they eventually suggested just mixing the two together and using the sponges. I can do that.. I just wish I knew why. Anyways thanks for the input everyone!

 

[WindeyD]

I use a BRS dual reactor and have been very happy with it. FYI the instructions state that when properly set the GFO should just barely tumble at the surface. Sounds like those of you that feel like you're having problems with yours are actually using the reactor properly.

 

[WindeyD]

For you guys that have the BRS dual reactor... no matter what I do I can't get my GFO to tumble more than maybe 1/4" at most at the very top. I run GFO in the first container and Carbon in the second. I've tried 1/3 full GFO all the way to to 2/3 GFO with the same problem.

BRS suggested mixing them together and holding them together with the sponges.. but i would rather figure it out. Any ideas? Sorry if I hijacked the thread.

See my response below, the media is supposed to only tumble slightly at the surface.

 

[moreef]

the cobalt is a great pump so flow is not the problem. I kind of agree with Windy D but mine would tumble gently when I first start up then it would settle on top within a day or so and not a spec would be floating after that. Maybe the initial tumble is the flow setting your looking for regardless of it continuing the next few hours/days it still is working? I never gave mine a chance and sold it. I plan to get single reactor once my new tank cycles and hope it works better than the dual. I hope you get it working right as they are very well built and would be convenient to run both rox/carbon off same pump.

 

[AmatuerAuer]

I am going with the dual reactor and know what a 'good tumble' looks like, I'll update the chain once it's set up.

So long as the GFO is in motion it's good to go for the most part, lower tumble just means a longer dwell time in both GFO and carbon (more effective).

Particles and detritus can slow the pump, lines, and media but over the relatively short period of use between media changes it should not be overly detrimental.

 

[ethridge78]

I use the Brs dual and the mini never had a problem .

 

[AmatuerAuer]

GFO will settle overtime, it's sedimentation at work and a normal physical occurrence. It will vary based on the size, shape of the GFO which does vary by manufacturer

 

[Feltman]

I use the brs dual reactor. I don't see the advantage of being able to turn them down seperately, true the carbon doesn't need as much flow but it doesn't reduce its effectiveness to have more flow but it is more effective to use 1 pump rather then 2 or a single pump with enough power to do them both in parallel. As far as those who have trouble with gfo flow you don't need much all of the gfo does not need to tumble only the surface.

 

[dnyceli]

I use Nextreef 250 gallon reactor for my 150 display. I have had not one issue from this, came with adjustable pump. Hope my joy helps you. Good day

Where did you get this with the pump?

 

[lyrical]

See my response below, the media is supposed to only tumble slightly at the surface.

Thanks WindeyD, that is helpful. I wonder why BRS cautions against it turning into a solid brick then if the tumble doesn't matter. If it truly doesn't matter that would be great one less thing to worry about

 

[All Delight]

I personally like the vertex units. Solid, easy to clean, and looks good