fixed the reactor but need help

[nightfire]

ok guys the first pic shows how i fixed it up for the time being in the second is my problem, i dont have enough flow going into the reactor, i replaced a bigger pvc cut off and pipe with this barb t fitting going into this smaller cut off i bought.....is the problem im having because the t fitting needs to be bigger coming off of my return pump the t i believe is 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/2....the 1/2 is whats going into the cut off.....would having them all at 3/4 do the trick and just reduce it to fit the cut off? thanks

 

[nightfire]

anyone?

 

[Pickupman66]

when you use those barbed fittings, they restrict the flow in a big way. I ALWAYS tro and over size my barb fittings for this fact along. For instance, you clear tubing in the photo is 1/2" INSIDE DIAMETER. that fitting that fits INSIDE it is 1/2" OUTSIDE diameter or slightly smaller with a CONSIDERABLY smaller INSIDE diameter hence the restriction.

Best I can see to actually do on the whole thing is to get larger fittings and hoses to achieve teh flow you want.

 

[nightfire]

so basically i'll even have to chuck the smal cut off too....weird cause thats the one they sell for the phosban

 

[Pickupman66]

Not sure mario. also, being you have the elbow on the top fittin, that could also cause restriciton.

 

[poolkeeper1]

GFO does not need a lot of flow or you will wind up with the fines in your tank from it. It is just supposed to move ever so gently in the reactor. FYI
Bill

 

[nightfire]

thats true,i may need straight one going into the reactor

 

[nightfire]

GFO does not need a lot of flow or you will wind up with the fines in your tank from it. It is just supposed to move ever so gently in the reactor. FYI
Bill

yea but the thing is that it is barely moving at all Bill

 

[Pickupman66]

mario,

In that second picture.. what is the white in that canister.. GFO isnt white.

 

[nightfire]

i dont run gfo i run phosguard but next month i think i'll switch to gfo.....i dont think phosguard is helping much

 

[fishdoc11]

I've heard of people having problems with phosguard...mainly with softies...FWIW. According to Seachem the evidence for this anecdotal and they claim it is safe for reef tanks. At any rate if any of your corals aren't doing well I would recommend changing your media.

Chris

 

[nightfire]

im gonna change it anyways because i have a sneeky sense that this stuff isnt as good as say BRS gfo. as far as softies go, mine are doing well i think and thats with running phosguard for like 2 months now take a look at my corals here

 

[Pickupman66]

Chris, it is something about the Aluminum leeching into the water I believe. they say it wont do that unless the PH is in the 5's I believe. I have used it in the past but that was so long ago, I dont remember my results! Seachem does make good products though.

 

[fishdoc11]

Glad they are doing well Mario

When you start using GFO make sure you rinse it really well. I find it easiest to just turn the reactor on very low and let the discharge flow into a bucket until it runs clear for a couple of gallons when using new media.

Yeah that's what I thought it was pickupman but I heard it so long ago I went and looked it up. Seachem's website links a report that they did that says it doesn't leach aluminum.

Chris

 

[poolkeeper1]

I to have used it without any issues, But i do not have any Softies if that's what they harm. GFO is IME a better product but be careful not to use to much as it will strip the water real fast of P04 and that can be harmful. Use it as directed and just change it out often until your algae starts to disappear.
Bill

 

[nightfire]

how much of it is recomended for a 55 like mine? maybe half the reactor full of it?

 

[fishdoc11]

how much of it is recomended for a 55 like mine? maybe half the reactor full of it?

That's probably more than you need. It should say how much to use on the container.

 

[poolkeeper1]

how much of it is recomended for a 55 like mine? maybe half the reactor full of it?

The directions will be on the package of GFO, And No I doubt it will require any where near that much to start off with, I ran 1/2 of that reactor on my 300gal system as they reccomended. I think it's like a teaspoon full per 20 or 40gal of water.
Bill