How long does it take for your reactor to clog?

[s_tempest]

I have a 2-stage BRS reactor I use for carbon and phosphate media. I get less than two weeks until it clogs with biofilm on the top & bottom screens on the cartridges (I don’t use the sponges). How does this compare to your experiences? Post your answer in the poll & what type of reactor you use as replies.

 

[DC Reefer]

On 1 tank the flow is greatly reduced by the 2 week mark (I replace carbon every two weeks). On my other 2 tanks the flow is still good after 2 weeks.

 

[JosephM]

I use an aqua maxx that uses sponges and i switch out the carbon every 2-3 weeks and I rinse out the sponges when I do this so I’ve never had it clog

 

[stanlalee]

About the same. Doesn't clog completely but to a slow drip. I didn't have this problem with tumbling gfo. I have gfo and carbon mix that can't be tumbled and clogs. I don't change the media if the GFO is still working. I just mix it around with a knife to unclog it and boom, brand new flow. You could probably solve this with an oversize pump throttled back and cranking it up when flow slows. I feel like the mj1200 (295gph) is on the weak side for the BRS mini unless it's half full and running optimally.