Fluidising Rowaphos problem

[Claire88]

Hi, I recently bought a fluidising media reactor without the pump. I'm attempting to fluidise rowaphos but cannot get it to tumble! I've tried two different pumps now, one with a very light output and another stronger one.
It all seems to be set up as per the instructions but it won't tumble!
Any help please?

 

[GoVols]

What reactor are you using?

 

[Claire88]

This one

 

[GoVols]

When you run the big pump does it push all the Rowaphos to the top or does the media not move at all?

 

[Tony@D-D]

Remove the bottom sponge and leave in the top one. Also make sure that the one way valve is around the correct way.

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/files/FMR- 75 Operating Instructions v2_0.pdf

best regards

 

[Claire88]

When you run the big pump does it push all the Rowaphos to the top or does the media not move at all?

It isn't moving at all!

 

[Claire88]

Remove the bottom sponge and leave in the top one. Also make sure that the one way valve is around the correct way.

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/files/FMR- 75 Operating Instructions v2_0.pdf

best regards

Thank you for your reply I'll double check that in the morning

 

[GoVols]

It isn't moving at all!

Does water come out of the reactor's output when you have the pump on?

 

[Claire88]

Does water come out of the reactor when you have the pump on?

Sort of... it sprinkles through the "out" piping. If you switch the pump off, it draws the water and media back towards the pump unless you use the tap.

Sometimes, the out pipe isn't full of water though, at the top of the pipe near the elbow joint. It's pushed on as far as it will go.

 

[GoVols]

Sort of... it sprinkles through the "out" piping. If you switch the pump off, it draws the water and media back towards the pump unless you use the tap.

Sometimes, the out pipe isn't full of water though, at the top of the pipe near the elbow joint. It's pushed on as far as it will go.

I'm just asking...
Do you have the pump going into reactor's elbow fitting that has the clear tube going to the bottom of the reactor?

 

[Claire88]

I'm just asking...
Do you have the pump going into reactor's elbow that has the clear tube going to the bottom of the reactor?

I haven't actively connected the centre tube to the lid... is that what I'm missing?
Currently the pump is connected to some green tube, then the tap, then up to the elbow. The lid is then just screwed on...

 

[GoVols]

I haven't actively connected the centre tube to the lid... is that what I'm missing?
Currently the pump is connected to some green tube, then the tap, then up to the elbow. The lid is then just screwed on...

Your pump tubing should attach to the center input with the clear tubing going to the bottom. Then the water comes up under the GFO to make it tumble upwards and the water comes out the fitting that does not have the center clear tube.

Does that help?

 

[Claire88]

Ohhhh dear, it's not my day lol I think you may have cleared it up... doh! I'll let you know how it goes in the morning... THANK YOU! Lol

 

[GoVols]

Ohhhh dear, it's not my day lol I think you may have cleared it up... doh! I'll let you know how it goes in the morning... THANK YOU! Lol

You must get a control valve to put in between your pump and reactor's input or the GFO will go too crazy inside.

 

[Claire88]

It's got a tap, but I turned the pump right down and it's only tumbling in the lower half, well lower third really... which I think I read is good?
I've turned it off tonight so I can keep an eye on it tomorrow lol.

Does this look like phosphate problems?

 

[GoVols]

It's got a tap, but I turned the pump right down and it's only tumbling in the lower half, well lower third really... which I think I read is good?
I've turned it off tonight so I can keep an eye on it tomorrow lol.

Does this look like phosphate problems?

Yes,
But you need good test kits to check your phos. and nitrates.
For phos. the Hanna phos. checker is a good kit.
For nitrates go with the Salifert nitrate kit.

If they test high then bring them down slowly. If you go too fast it can shock your corals.
Here's a spec. sheet for you as a guideline.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

 

[GoVols]

Also, Adjust the Rowaphos so that it looks like a heavy simmer on top, without the the particles bouncing in open water above the GFO.

 

[Claire88]

Ok, I'm still having problems

So this is how it is set up (above)

When started, water goes down the central pipe as expected, lifting the media up. It does this on both he strongest flow on the pump and the lowest pump setting.

An hour later, nothing is happening. It all settles back to the floor. Water does come out of the "out" pipe but the media doesn't move.

Help? :-/

 

[GoVols]

Ok, I'm still having problems

When started, water goes down the central pipe as expected, lifting the media up. It does this on both he strongest flow on the pump and the lowest pump setting.

An hour later, nothing is happening. It all settles back to the floor. Water does come out of the "out" pipe but the media doesn't move.

Help? :-/

That's a tiny amount of GFO and a huge pump, but I'm...

You might shoot Tony on post #5 a PM since that's his reactor.

Regards, GoVols

 

[ALAN O475]

The pump should be connected to the central input,you have it in reverse