GFO Reactor Flow Problem

Syed123 · May 14, 2018

Hello, I just recently set-up a dual GFO/Carbon Reactor. The brand is Spectrapure.

https://www.reefsupplies.ca/online-store/Spectrapure-dual-chamber-media-reactor.html

For now, I have filled the second chamber with GFO only. Rowaphos to be specific. For some reason the flow seems restricted. Even with the flow opened all the way. In contrast, the empty first chamber's flow seems normal and unrestricted. I did find that the filter in the second chamber was clogged so I cleaned it and still had vary little flow. I have totally removed the filter pad but that didn't do much good. I have only put a cup of the RowaPhos in the chamber. Does it need to be higher? The surface of the Rowaphos is not moving.

Any advice?

Dr. Reef · May 14, 2018

honestly i never had any luck with those chambers to get GFO turning on top. they clog up every chance they get. sorry wasnt too much help for your question, i moved on to Lanthanum Chloride for rid phos.

LobsterOfJustice · May 14, 2018

If I’m understanding correctly the first chamber flows into the second chamber... unless there is a leak, they have the same amount of flow going through them. If the second one was restricted you would also see a drop in flow through the first. Unless I’m misunderstanding and you are feeding them separately.

Dr. Reef · May 14, 2018

not that model. it does not go from chamber 1 to chamber 2 , then out.
this unit have 2 separate knob controlled water flow from 1 single pump. so pump out put has a T that goes to chamber 1 and chamber 2 then both chambers out using a Y goes back out to 1 outlet. so both chambers run independently, if i am not mistaken.

Dr. Reef · May 14, 2018

here is a video regarding this reactor

TheEngineer · May 14, 2018

Close the valve going into the first chamber, the flow in the second should go up. Assuming no clogs, the flow will go where it is least restricted. To compensate you have to reduce the flow into the first chamber so it is equal to the restriction in the second.

120reefkeeper · May 14, 2018

One thing I caught off the video right away is that one reactor is down flow and the other is up flow. Ensure you have the carbon in the down flow side and gfo in the up flow side.

LobsterOfJustice · May 14, 2018

TheEngineer said:
Close the valve going into the first chamber, the flow in the second should go up. Assuming no clogs, the flow will go where it is least restricted. To compensate you have to reduce the flow into the first chamber so it is equal to the restriction in the second.

Yes, this sounds right. With an empty chamber you are providing a path with less resistance that the water will preferentially take. Restrict or fully close the feed to the empty chamber.

Syed123 · May 17, 2018

Hey guys. Just to give an update. I tried everything. Even cleaned out part of the manifold where I had the GFO cannister connected to and still nothing. So I resorted to switching the GFO cannister with the other cannister. It's working! The top layer of the GFO is tumbling gently at low flow settings. Guess I'll use the other cannisters for carbon or something that doesn't require much tumbling.