GFO Reactors

letsdiscus · #1 05-03-2016, 03:48 PM

Reaching out to all....

Does anyone have a better experience with GFO reactors. Basically i have been having problems with the GFO media getting clogged to early less than a month of replenish.

I have tried RLSS FR#3, PhosBan 150.

There is one observation though, each time i have to use a feed cycle which would switch off my return for few minutes, after re-start, i notice the media starts getting pushed up the reactor all the way on top via the sponge provided.
i have tried replacing the sponge with a mesh of similar size.

My GFO reactor is fed via the Return line with the control valve closed enough to generate a gentle tumble.

brisco · #2 05-05-2016, 04:01 PM

Any chance you could try pluming the reactor on a separate pump? I do that and don't seem to have a problem running GFO in a phosban 150. I usually change it every 3 months or sol

FishyFishy! · #3 05-05-2016, 04:06 PM

Im running vertex 1.5's and i have never had an issue with clogging. That being said, I have never had any reactor clog on me. Lol

Aquattro · #4 05-05-2016, 04:39 PM

I use the PB 150, no issues with clogging ever.

straightrazorguy · #5 05-05-2016, 05:05 PM

I run a NextReef for my GFO. Driven by the return pump. I have a gate valve to throttle the flow down to a slight bubbling of the media, and it never plugs up.

TimT · #6 05-05-2016, 10:03 PM

I use Foz Down and am glad I no longer have to deal with finicky reactors and pricey GFO.

Aquattro · #7 05-05-2016, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimT

I use Foz Down and am glad I no longer have to deal with finicky reactors and pricey GFO.

I run both

TimT · #8 05-06-2016, 12:37 AM

Brad, Try the Foz Down directly into the display tank and that should help with the algae issue.

Myka · #9 05-06-2016, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I use the PB 150, no issues with clogging ever.

Same here. Once a week during waterchanges I will open the valve a bit and "boil" the GFO. I find that gets more life out of it, and breaks up any tunneling that has formed.

gregzz4 · #10 05-06-2016, 01:49 AM

When you say it's getting clogged, do you mean it stops flowing, or it clumps together ?
If it stops flowing, I'll guess it's because every time you restart your pump and it rises to the top, all the fine stuff is plugging up either your sponge or the line itself.

As suggested above, try running your reactor with it's own/dedicated pump.

Or, buy a mesh bag like this and rinse out all the fine stuff before filling your reactor.