Pump question- 1 pump for 2 Media Reactors

[CookieJar]

I'd like to get 2 Avast MR5 (18" tall) reactors attached to 1 pump so I can run GFO & Phosban off of 1 pump to lessen the cords & plumbing in my sump. The question is what pump to get, preferably a small, quite one. I'm looking for advice/ recommendations on a pump that would work for this application. The rectors specs is for a 200 gph pump, so based on that I'm considering a couple Eheims. Thoughts or recommendations for anyone who's done 2 reactors off of 1 pump?

Eheim 2000 Compact +

• Output GPH: 264-528
• Head Height: 7.5 ft.
• Power Watt: 32W
• Hose Size: 3/4"

Eheim 3000 Compact +

• Output GPH: 396-793
• Head Height: 9.8 ft
• Power Watt: 55W
• Hose Size: 3/4"

 

[FishLipz]

My advice is go a little bigger than you think you'll need. You can always throttle back a pump with a valve, but you can't boost a pump that isn't enough,

 

[Paul_N]

Eheims are a great reliable pump. Like Shawn said, I would go with a bigger pump and throttle it back. Not only that, if you add another reactor, you won't have to upgrade your pump. There are many that run an entire system off of one pump. They will have the return, GFO reactor, Carbon reactor, Calcium reactor all on one pump. Also my recommendation would be to build a manifold with two valves so each reactor has a separate control.

 

[AZDesertRat]

GFO requires a lower flow than other medias so I would build a manifold or if you are using soft tubing install a barbed tee close to the pump then feed the reatcors seperately, each with its own valve to regulat flows.
I feed two Phosban 150 reactors this way, one for 100 grams of GFO and the other for GAC with a MJ400 powerhead and its works great, I even have to throttle it back a bit to keep the GFO at around 60-80 GPH so it doesn't pulverize itself.

How large of a display do you have? Do you really need reactors that large? A full dose of GFO is 10 grams or about one level tablespoon full per 10 gallons so it does not take much.

 

[CookieJar]

I've got a 180 display & 45 gal frag on the same system. I run low bioload and light feeding. The reactors might be larger than what I need but I figure I can fill them with a less than full amount of GFO & Phosban. I'll definitely have a valve for each reactor and I"m leaning towards the 3000+ because it's likely to be more than I need, but i don't want to regret too low flow with a lesser pump down the road.

 

[btkrausen]

I run two reactors off my manifold from my main return pump but built the manifold to handle 4 reactors/outlets if the need arises. This is what my manifold looks like...return pumps from the bottom part and bigger valve at top is going to the tank:

 

[tinctorus]

I have a similar question, I am going to be running 2 reactors, they are 12" tall with an in on the bottom and an out on the top, One the one reactor I will be running Biopellets and on the second reactor I will be running carbon/GFO
I know some cheaper GFO has a tendency to break apart with to much flow but my thoughts were to run the carbon/GFO reactor AFTER the Biopellet reactor so that it could catch any bacterial slime that may come off of the bio reactor

What size pump would be sufficient to get a good tumbling of the Biopellets? I will put an inline ball valve on the out of the first reactor incase I need to decrease the flow going through the second one
FWIW the reactors have a 3/8" barb for the in/out "1 barb on the bottom and 1 barb on the top"
They are 12 inches tall and about 4 inches across

I am basically running this reactor except that it doesnt use that mounting plate but everything else about it is the same
Dual Chamber Denitrator


http://dtitanks.com/components/com_virtuemart/show_image_in_imgtag.php?filename=resized%2FDual_Chamber_Den_4c0dcca5f3037_320x240.jpg&newxsize=240&newysize=240&fileout=

 

[Paul_N]

I have a similar question, I am going to be running 2 reactors, they are 12" tall with an in on the bottom and an out on the top, One the one reactor I will be running Biopellets and on the second reactor I will be running carbon/GFO
I know some cheaper GFO has a tendency to break apart with to much flow but my thoughts were to run the carbon/GFO reactor AFTER the Biopellet reactor so that it could catch any bacterial slime that may come off of the bio reactor

What size pump would be sufficient to get a good tumbling of the Biopellets? I will put an inline ball valve on the out of the first reactor incase I need to decrease the flow going through the second one
FWIW the reactors have a 3/8" barb for the in/out "1 barb on the bottom and 1 barb on the top"
They are 12 inches tall and about 4 inches across

I am basically running this reactor except that it doesnt use that mounting plate but everything else about it is the same
Dual Chamber Denitrator


http://dtitanks.com/components/com_virtuemart/show_image_in_imgtag.php?filename=resized%2FDual_Chamber_Den_4c0dcca5f3037_320x240.jpg&newxsize=240&newysize=240&fileout=

I would not run the reactors in a series like that . When you turn the flow down on the output of the first it will inturn reduce the flow to reactor #1 in addition to reactor #2. Like AZ mentioned above Biopellets and GFO require different flow. Also The mulm or slime that will come off the biopellets will then clog the GFO reactor and restrict flow. Go with a manifold like above and you will have complete control and eliminate any issues.