The JNS Alpha 1 Biopellet reactor review...

[BirmJam]

Stop the pump then tip the whole reactor to a 45 degree angle then turn the pump back on and slowly straighten the reactor. That has stopped them from going to the top for me.

No luck. They did all fall down pretty quickly, but as soon as I turned the pump back on, same thing happened. That made me think maybe I had too much flow going through the reactor, so I backed the pump down all the way and still the same thing happened.

How much do you run in yours?

 

[Eternal]

No luck. They did all fall down pretty quickly, but as soon as I turned the pump back on, same thing happened. That made me think maybe I had too much flow going through the reactor, so I backed the pump down all the way and still the same thing happened.

How much do you run in yours?

I have the smaller reactor with 250ml running in it. I actually had to leave the reactor slightly tipped until the pellets had been in the reactor about a month then I was able to run the reactor like normal.

 

[BirmJam]

I have the smaller reactor with 250ml running in it. I actually had to leave the reactor slightly tipped until the pellets had been in the reactor about a month then I was able to run the reactor like normal.

So basically half of the total capacity. When I had 500ml, it was pretty close to fully spinning and I am sure if I tried your "trick" the remaining would have started spinning eventually.

Is there a recommended depth? I have mine in about 8" of water.

 

[Eternal]

I run mine in about 8 inches as well. I never tried changing water height.

But yeah about half of stated capacity seems about all it can handle.

 

[BirmJam]

But yeah about half of stated capacity seems about all it can handle.

I wonder if the pumps aren't strong enough.

 

[mojo]

I think the pumps are really fine. Most people will say they are running too fast. But not all pellets are crearted the same. I had more floating to the top at first. But I didnt soak them for 24hrs like they suggest you should. I just simply turned it on and off a couple times and everything flowed just like it is in the video. 1000ml is a lot of pellets. if you are running 100 ml of new pellets I would just give it some more time.

mojo~

 

[roshi719]

I have an alpha 2 and I would say the pumps and the declared capacities are a little overstated. I have been running mine for about a year now, and I would not go without one now. They are the best way to tumble pellets period! I would say the chambers could either be a little taller or a little bigger around without having to upgrade the pumps. I have almost 750 ml of pellets in the alpha 2 and have the pump only one notch from the lowest setting. there is still plenty of pump capacity left! That being said they have one slight drawback. After the pellets have been running for a while the shrink in size enough to where they can get sucked back into the pump in the event of a power outage. this causes some startup issues with the pumps as well as reduced flow from the pellets that get trapped in the small holes going into the reactor. a simple cleaning solves this though and I have only had this issue after the reactor has been running for a year.

 

[BirmJam]

I thought of a possible solution to the issue. What if inside the reactor a drinking straw sized cylinder with holes drilled to continue the vortex flow of water higher up in the cylinder. My current problem is the flow is not strong enough to keep the pellets toward the top of the reactor spinning.

Roshi719 - what water volume are you running the 750ml on?

 

[solitude127]

Are the pumps replaceable?

 

[roshi719]

Roshi719 - what water volume are you running the 750ml on?

I have about 1100 ML running total between an Alpha 1 and an Alpha 2 on just shy of 1000 gallons of water. I have an SWC 300 skimmer that pulls a little over 5 gallons of blackness out a week. I also feed very heavy (over a pack of Rod's food a week) and have little to no algae anywhere in the system.

 

[roshi719]

Are the pumps replaceable?

I believe so they are standard issue Sicce pumps the .5 and the 2.5 I believe

 

[Orly20]

Any updates???

 

[Jimbo]

I know this is an old thread but I'm having issues with the flow on my JNS Alpha 1 Reactor. I have 375 ML of Ecobak pellets in it and I could use a little more flow. Problem is the pump is opened up all the way.

Anybody know of a stronger pump that works with this reactor?

 

[redfishbluefish]

I can't comment specifically to the Alpha 1 (I have the Alpha 2), but when is the last time you cleaned the pump? With my Alpha 2, I have the pump set to the lowest setting and it's a tornado in there.

 

[Jimbo]

I can't comment specifically to the Alpha 1 (I have the Alpha 2), but when is the last time you cleaned the pump? With my Alpha 2, I have the pump set to the lowest setting and it's a tornado in there.

Reactor has only been running for 5 weeks but I gave the pump a cleaning and it did improve the flow a little bit. It is still opened up all the way but if it stays like this it should be fine. I'm using Ecobak pellets which require a slow tumble.

what pump is on the Alpha 2 ? Wondering if it will fit on the Alpha 1

Thanks

 

[Mike S]

Take a look at the screen on the lid. When I had a jns reactor it tended to clog up periodically. A quckly cleaning and it was good to go.

 

[Jimbo]

Take a look at the screen on the lid. When I had a jns reactor it tended to clog up periodically. A quckly cleaning and it was good to go.

I'll give that a try too, looks like there is some build up on there. Did you have a Alpha 1 ? As far as I can see there is no way to remove the lid , I had to fill it through the bottom.
I've seen pictures of the Alpha 2 and there's screws you loosen to remove the lid. Wonder why there's none on the Alpha 1?

 

[redfishbluefish]

...... Did you have a Alpha 1 ?

I can tell you that Mike S had the Alpha 2.....I know this because i bought this reactor from him!

I haven't cleaned that screen yet, but after his comment, i'll be looking at it next time i add pellets.

And yes, it's easily accessible when adding pellets....just unscrews from the top.

 

[Jimbo]

I know the Alpha 2 has a top that unscrews. As far as I can tell the lid on the Alpha 1 is not removable.....can't find any info on it and I don't want to try to force it open if it isn't meant to open..... Not sure why they would make it that way but I don't see a way for the top to come off.

Thanks for your help.