GFO Clumping

[cadmanof50s]

Hello,

I have a dual chamber reactor that houses carbon on one side and GFO on the other. Its driven by a single Cobalt 1200 pump.

When I put new media in, the flow is fantastic. Within about 10 days it appears that the GFO starts to clump at the bottom and the over-all flow is reduced to almost nothing.

I use a SpectraPure dual chamber reactor which is of good quality IMHO. I tried using a more powerful pump...but to my amazement it didn't help. Also, I am using a good quality GFO ..RowaPhos.

Does anyone else have this problem and how have you dealt with it?

Vic

 

[BowedFloor]

I also run rowaphos and carbon, except in 2 2LF reactors fed by a MJ1200.

Do you have your Carbon or GFO first?

If it's GFO, it's entirely possible it is getting clogged with organic matter.

Less flow through GFO isn't exactly a bad thing. more contact time with the water means more phosphates removed.

Have you tested the water coming out of the reactor to see if it's phosphate free?

Also you could always poke it with a stick and break up the clumps, if it is due to organic matter.

 

[cadmanof50s]

Thanks for the response, Bowedfloor.
Not sure which one gets the flow first...in Fact its entirely possible that they are feed at the same time.

In terms of phosphate levels, its 0 in the whole system...must be doing its job!...right?

You are absolutely right about more contact time....but I fear the flow is really poor.

I watched a video where they mixed carbo with the GFO ..they said it would help prevent clumping. Gonna give that a try....but will try poking it, too. Can't say about the organic matter..it could be....although I always run filter socks on the system..

Thanks again for the response, will try breaking it up in the chamber.

Vic