Brs gfo reactor

[joeogio]

Hello I purchased a brs single gfo reactor and a container of brs gfo. Im using my return pump a reeflo dart to feed it from my manifold an for I have the effluent return to the sump.

Heres my issue I have to keep adjusting the flow rate through the reactor to keep the gfo tumbling. About every 3 days it quits tumbling and then about after two to three weeks it gets clogged up and you cant make it tumble.

First I tried using less and less gfo this is the 4th time ive changed it and this time I took those mesh pads to see how it would do without them.

Has anyone else had problems with keeping theirs tumbling?

And how important is it for it to be tumbling?

 

[dunc101]

I have read on many occasions where people have issues with GFO and the BRS reactors. I have one myself and have also encountered this. My Maxijet 1200 has just a 'trickle' of flow out of the reactor after a couple of weeks. Most people suggest taking the mesh pads out as you have already suggested. Following along to see if anyone else has any more suggestions.

 

[TD2K]

I don't have the BRS one, but with the particular reactor and media I use the bio pellets would fit thru the holes in the reactor plates and it said NOT to use the sponges with these bio pellets because they'll clog the sponges and have the exact problem you are describing. So I went to the craft store and bought some of that plastic grid material that people use with yarn. I cut 2 disks out and zip tied them to the existing plates (on the inside that will come into contact with the media). So far so good, getting a nice "low boil" with my mag-drive 3 pump.

 

[cthedaytrader]

I have had the same problems with my BRS reactor, I took the pads out, I think with the new style cartirdge you arent supposed to run the pads with GFO anyway. (that helped a little) I used run mine of my return pump and switched to a maxi jet which didnt help me all that much. One thing you might want to check on is your dosing, two part or ca reactor? I would make sure if you are dosing as far away from the GFO as possible, as the GFO can become coated in calcium carbonate and stop tubling, this could be your issue. If its debris then you would have to try and rinse it or you some type of prefilter. Two to three weeks isnt all that bad though, unless you have ultra low PO4 your GFO might be exhausted by then. Mine cakes up in two days sometimes its been a real pain.

Another thing is rinsing it, I find the non high capcity gfo needs to be rinsed a lot, and I mean more than just running it through the reactor. Try and shake it up and rinse it with Ro/DI water and youll see how much GFO dust there is in that stuff (the high capcity doesnt have nearly as much), I find when I rinse it better it takes longer to clump as well.

 

[180galreef]

I have the same problem, I took mine offline because I got so tired of dealing with it. Id love to hear how to fix the problem.

 

[joeogio]

Sorta glad im not the only one who is having issues with the gfo. Ive got an idea do prevent the gfo from clogging and I think it might be a big hit but ive gotta try it out first to see if it works