Dual Reactors from BRS (GFO & Carbon) Flow issues (1 Viewer)

[Jeremyee]

I bought a dual reactor from BRS and a Colbalt 1200 series pump. After doing some troubleshooting it turns out that the GFO is clumping up and restricting the flow to almost a drip. I have pump feeding the GFO and then the Carbon then dumping back into the sump using 1/2" tubing. When removing the GFO in the canister and leaving the Carbon in the flow return to normal. At first I had the filters on the GFO but since removed them under the recommendation from BRS but the flow is still a trickle.

How do I get the GFO to stop clumping up and restricting the flow?

 

[gm357]

dual

I bought a dual reactor from BRS and a Colbalt 1200 series pump. After doing some troubleshooting it turns out that the GFO is clumping up and restricting the flow to almost a drip. I have pump feeding the GFO and then the Carbon then dumping back into the sump using 1/2" tubing. When removing the GFO in the canister and leaving the Carbon in the flow return to normal. At first I had the filters on the GFO but since removed them under the recommendation from BRS but the flow is still a trickle.

How do I get the GFO to stop clumping up and restricting the flow?

I never could really pinpoint the trickle in mine. I totally broke each part down and even went spongeless with no avail. Similar complaints across the board with this design. Gave up. Wasn't worth the negative effects. Some have soaked their sponges in bleach with good results.

 

[mwilliams62]

following along here because I may be ordering one of these this friday.

 

[d2mini]

following along here because I may be ordering one of these this friday.

Don't.

Go with the NextReef MR1 reactors instead.

 

[inigomontoya]

Dennis, does the MR1 have the O ring push connect fittings like the BRS? I made a manifold for my 3 BRS and just have the gate valve in the tubing (Pex), not the pvc. Switching to another type of tubing would require a decent amount of re-working which is why I have put off replacing my BRS reactors.

Jeremyee- not trying to threadjack but the only answer I have heard for this is replacement. Do you have the older soft cartridges or the hard ones? I use the older and was going to try that replacement until someone told me their hard ones sucked too.

 

[d2mini]

Jeff, I replaced the original elbow barb fittings it comes with, with John Guest fittings. Except if you do want to use elbow fittings, there will only be enough room to twist in one elbow john guest fitting. So i actually use one john guest and one of the original barb fitting that came with it.

 

[freeswimmingfish]

My BRS dual haas same issue. With GFO in first chamber and GAC in second chamber. After a while, the GFO will "slow" so I would turn the valve for more flow to start the tumble again.
I have both chambers loaded with GAC right now.
One day I will take the fitting off that connects the two chambers, add another valve and use as 2 single reactors.

 

[mwilliams62]

Don't.

Go with the NextReef MR1 reactors instead.

So how do you get this bad boy to work?
NextReef MR1 GFO and Carbon Filter Media Reactor

 

[d2mini]

Hook up your tubing and pump and you are good to go! Same as the brs reactors. But the flow is much better and they are easier to change media.

 

[mwilliams62]

Cool thanks.

 

[d2mini]

oh and you'll want a small valve to adjust the flow.
Something like this.


You can pick one up at lowe's in the plumbing section for a few bucks.

 

[Jeremyee]

So I have an update on how to get this setup to work. I put the GFO and Carbon in a Filter Media Bag. I know the carbon will be ok in these bags seeing as canister pumps do the same thing. I am not sure about the performance of the GFO in the bags due to the lack of tumbling. I am still using the hard plastic canister and it seems that the size of the GFO being small was getting stuck in the filter like sponge and in the plastic guard of the canister insert.

I have been using the Filter Media Bag for the last week and the flow didn't seem to drop any.

I am looking to find a way to add some type of screen that is smaller than the GFO to reduce the possibility of GFO getting stuck in the screen with minimal flow reduction. I will post more when I find something that works.

 

[Scfrady]

I hacked the crap out of mine BRS duel
like everyone else I had the same issues
In the media tubes I cut the top and bottom vanes - just left the star then glued in some plastic mesh - I know I am not explaining it right - It totally works flow is great and even - I can now run it for 6 weeks with no lost of flow
i will tak some pic of it tomorrow night when I change the media