Juiceman Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 I'm have trouble figuring out flow rates and quantity for my GFO to keep up with my phosphates. I'm currently using the BRS Deluxe reactor with no filter pads. It keeps clogging and I have to turn the valve up and down a few times to get it back going again just to find it in the same situation the next time I check it. Do I have too much media? Need a bigger reactor? It's manifolded from a Mag 18. How much GFO do you use for what size tank and what kind of reactor. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Too much media bud! I use about 1-2 cups for 250 total water volume! If you want to use more, get a media reactor with a wider column so that it can actively fluidize. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 15, 2015 Author Share Posted April 15, 2015 Too much media bud! I use about 1-2 cups for 250 total water volume! If you want to use more, get a media reactor with a wider column so that it can actively fluidize. That's 2 Cups..... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Get a different reactor then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 15, 2015 Author Share Posted April 15, 2015 Do you think I would be ok to use less media and it work correctly and not need to use a larger reactor? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardlaw Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 When I use the cheap stuff it clumps and clogs. The high capacity was worth the money for me due to that reason alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Do you think I would be ok to use less media and it work correctly and not need to use a larger reactor? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I'm sure it won't be an issue but you may just need to replace the media at a higher frequency, like 1/two weeks. Just depends on the bioload of your tank... but I'm guessing with all your fish, I'd just get a bigger reactor. You could probably get a TLF 550 and call it a day. They aren't too expensive and are plenty huge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madsalt Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 too much media. I used to use about two cups and the same thing would happen. I now use a cup and things are good to go. I have used both types of brs and my phosphates are good and I have a heavy bio load Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 I use the same reactor and my reactor ends up being around 30% full when I put the media in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Try using the filter pads. I have success that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haze152 Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 I had the same issue Iused the brs dual reactor. I switched to high cap gfo from brs 1 1/4 cup total,water volume 190 gallons. I also switched to a mag 5 just for the reactor with pre filter on the pump never had to adjust the flow again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Ok, took out about half. Less GFO take one... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 24, 2015 Author Share Posted April 24, 2015 As far as I can tell, it's working great! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Ok, maybe not so great.... Notice the difference in the level of the GFO. I haven't taken any out Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Ditch the BRS reactor and get a different reactor. That'll solve it right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Why do you think that's the issue? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I see the problem... You need to be housing it inside of a secondary housing. like this: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/10-brs-reactor-refillable-cartridge-hard-shell.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 They are repurposed filter canisters... while creative and useful for some functions like running carbon, I'd personally rather run with something designed for the purpose. Just my opinion though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 It's in that. Came with it. Just without the foam pads Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 BRS recommends not to use the pads Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Maybe the flow is too high and the GFO is grinding up into powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Is the flow going in/out the correct outlets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Yeah Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 I turned the flow down yesterday. That's the issue though is not being able to put any water through for it to be worth it. It's a 300g + system. Surely I need more than a trickle coming out of the rectors for it to keep up.. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 You can run other phosphate media at a higher flow rate. I didn't see if you were using the regular GFO or high density. Supposedly the high density won't grind as easily, but I don't have any experience with it. I use Phosguard. It's a pellet form instead of a granular form and it doesn't grind up under high flow. I get it on Amazon for $25 and the shipping is free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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