Plumbing TLF Reactors - Waterflow Together or Seperate?

[FishyFishy!]

Who uses which method and why? I have typically done the setup on the left, using seperate water flow through both reactors.

Is it more beneficial to 'daisey chain' them together and have the water flow from one reactor to the other?

EXAMPLE
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/ReactorSetup.jpg

[waynemah]

I always thought they were put in series to have better control over the tumble rate.

For the left example... If either the carbon or GFO chamber is plugged faster, the flow will increase in the other chamber, causing an undesirable tumble rate.

For the right example... The whole system slows down and it's just time to change the media.

That being said, I'm not sure what pressure the TLF reactors can handle, so that might be a consideration as well.

[scherzo]

I'm just about to plumb a 2nd TLF as well. I'm currently running Rowaphos but will be doing GFO and carbon.

From what I've heard, the setup on the right will tend to clog up the carbon faster. Not sure why but someone said that if you have the GFO tumbling too quickly it will degrade and move to the carbon TLF.

Not hi-jacking but what pump do you use? This may affect the result as well.

I'm leaning towards the setup on the left.

[FishyFishy!]

I use a maxi-jet 1200 with the two supplied ball valves from TLF to control flow with the left setup running.

With the setup on the right, you could obviously swap the carbon and the GFO so that it goes into the carbon chamber first. Would it even make a difference if the carbon or GFO was first? (other than the breakdown of the GFO if it tumbling too fast).

[Ryan-b]

I use the setup on the right with mine. I run carbon first gfo 2nd, I get a decent tumble on the carbon, and a slower flow through the gfo. When I notice everything slowing down I usually know its time to change the carbon. I will also test the phosphate level coming out of the reactor to determine if it's time to change both.

[Enigma]

I use the layout on the left. But, I have three ball valves on the system to control the flow. I have one ball valve between the "T" and each reactor. The third is between the pump and the "T".

[Spyd]

I use the setup on the right with mine. I run carbon first gfo 2nd, I get a decent tumble on the carbon, and a slower flow through the gfo. When I notice everything slowing down I usually know its time to change the carbon. I will also test the phosphate level coming out of the reactor to determine if it's time to change both.


Correct me if I am wrong, but, I don't think you want your carbon to tumble at all. It should be held tight to prevent any tumbling because the particles are known to cause HLLE in Tangs.

I have a dual BRS unit. GFO first, then carbon. The problem is the carbon starts clumping and will slow down the flow. You just need to keep adjusting the valve to increase the flow quite frequently. This would hold true for option 2.

I would think the 1st option may be best. You can control the flow to each reactor then and not have to worry about how one affects the other. Not sure though if one begins clumping and causing some backflow, if it would increase the flow in the other reactor though. I would think it should be fine but just something to look out for.

Ideally, running a pump on each reactor is the best because it would be a better case of setting it and forgetting it. Although, this method costs more and is less energy efficient....

[Ryan-b]

Yes you are right. I should have clarified, by tumble I meant I have enough flow in the carbon reactor to lift it about 3/4 of an inch off the bottom, of the reactor. Where the water "comes through" the carbon there is a slight tumble. On the whole there is very little tumble, and next to no "tumble" in the gfo.

[FishyFishy!]

Yeah I actually have a seperate pump for each one. I just plumbed them together the other day to have less tubing everywhere. I wonder if I should go back to the regular setup, or even plumb them individually from my return pump.

When I plumb my new system, these will be running off a manifold from my return pump, so I will plumb them all seperate I think.

[scherzo]

When I plumb my new system, these will be running off a manifold from my return pump, so I will plumb them all seperate I think.

The more I do research the more I think I may go this route as well. Might just need a bigger return pump.

[subman]

Imho the one on the left is superior as long as you have the ball valves before each reactor. As mentioned above the two medias need different flows through them. I have the brs dual chamber reactors and I think I'm going to swap it out for 2 seperate reactors so I can adjust for optimal flow though each media. I like your idea of one pump split to the 2 reactors though.

[PFoster]

If you want an even cleaner setup bleed some water off of your return pump to feed the reactors individually.

[fishytime]

if you want proper flow to each media with only one pump then a manifold is the only way to do it......carbon and gfo have different optimal flow rates and "daisy chaining" them together doesnt work.......I've always used two separate pumps

[FishyFishy!]

if you want proper flow to each media with only one pump then a manifold is the only way to do it......carbon and gfo have different optimal flow rates and "daisy chaining" them together doesnt work.......I've always used two separate pumps


Yeah I'm going to do the manifold in my new build for sure. But I also have 2 Reactors hooked up to my FOWLR, so I think i'm going to do a manifold for that one too. I'll just have to do some quick re-plumbing.

That being said, does GFO have to tumble?? And faster or slower flow through the carbon reactor? I use the Kent Reef Carbon, so it's bigger pellets. Right now it's got enough flow through it to lift it about 3/4" off the bottom of the reactor.

[fishytime]

flow to carbon should be around 400-600 GPH and flow to GFO should be around 200-400 GPH....personally Ive only ever used "Rowaphos" and its supposed to look like boiling water when it has proper flow, so definitely not aggressively tumbling....cant speak for other kinds/brands of GFO

[FishyFishy!]

flow to carbon should be around 400-600 GPH and flow to GFO should be around 200-400 GPH....personally Ive only ever used "Rowaphos" and its supposed to look like boiling water when it has proper flow, so definitely not aggressively tumbling....cant speak for other kinds/brands of GFO


Oh wow, thats a lot more flow than I thought. Looks like i'm due for a plumbing upgrade! I have a Maxi-Jet 1200 running two TLF reactors lol.

[e46er]

i have mine off a manifold from return pump works like a charm

i had issues with clumping using option 2 i vote or option 1