how do you clean your reactor? carbon/gfo

[BamBam507]

after emptying the old carbon/gfo out of reactor whats your method of cleaning the reactor and foam? currently have it soaking in a vinegar hot water bath.

I noticed it needed to be changed due to time and output flow. didnt have time so shut it off few days ago "rolls eyes" dont recomend its FUNKY

so you just rinse and soak. or wash foam pads in splash less bleach and let dry?

 

[AcroporAddict]

I usually just rinse and squeeze the foam pads out under a garden hose, and rinse the reactor body out the same way. I use a separate reactor for GFO and carbon. Refill and hook it back up, add a couple gallons of new saltwater to the system, start each reactor flowing and catch the water coming out until it runs clear. Throw that water away and off you go.

It has never been necessary for me to use bleach or vinegar to clean my media reactors. Just water and an acrylic scrub pad at the most, usually just running tap water without the pad.

 

[m0nkie]

is it ok to just run RO/DI water until the new reactors runs clear, then hook it to a saltwater source?

 

[AcroporAddict]

is it ok to just run RO/DI water until the new reactors runs clear, then hook it to a saltwater source?

Sure......you just want to get fines out. I have used tap water before, but RODI would be better. I usually use tank water and change the media when I do a water change, but it really does not matter.

 

[Capn_Crunch]

Yup, I just use tap water to rinse the canisters (separate carbon and gfo reactors) and foam, squeeze dry and refill. Whatever minuscule whatever that's in the tap water will make no difference whatsoever in your tank. RO/DI would be better, but it's hard to pour it through your foam in any real volume to clean it thoroughly IMO.

 

[MondoBongo]

i rinse my GFO outside the reactor in RO water and decant off the excess and fines until it runs clear.

for the reactor itself i usually just take it apart and rinse it under RO, just as AcroporAddict suggested, squeezing the sponges until they run clear.

i will occasionally break it down entirely and soak it in vinegar overnight, then rinse again, but that's usually only once every so often. just to get the little pineapple sponges and feather dusters off/out of it.

 

[Dragynspire]

Feather Dusters and Pinapple sponges in my Media Reactor

Feather Dusters and Pinapple sponges in my Media Reactor

i rinse my GFO outside the reactor in RO water and decant off the excess and fines until it runs clear.

for the reactor itself i usually just take it apart and rinse it under RO, just as AcroporAddict suggested, squeezing the sponges until they run clear.

i will occasionally break it down entirely and soak it in vinegar overnight, then rinse again, but that's usually only once every so often. just to get the little pineapple sponges and feather dusters off/out of it.

Is it ok that the feather dusters and the sponges live in there? Id like to move my dusters out but i am scared to move them. Is there a way to move them to my main tank safely?

 

[MondoBongo]

i'm not aware of a safe way to move them. never tried.

i don't want them inside my reactors or skimmers because i don't want them impeding flow, or stopping the media from tumbling freely.

typically these little guys are everywhere, so if you're seeing them in your reactor, chances are you have plenty elsewhere.