Looking for plans for recirc biopellet reactor

[maxheadroom]

My system is around 350 gallons and I want to build a recirculating biopellet reactor. Does anyone have any plans or pics of one you've made? Let me know if it is working good for you and if there's anything about it you would change. Thanks!:thumbsup:

 

[dattack]

look at the two or 3 makers of biopellet reactors. i think reefdynamics, reefoctopus, and aqualund makes one.
same concept as a diy kalk reactor. you will just need to add a ball valve to the pump to control flow.

 

[maxheadroom]

thanks. I've got the basics. I was just looking for people who had already built one and wanted to know their experiences and tweaks

 

[Breadman03]

I got the Hydra Aquatics FR-100 to replace a TLF Phosban 550 reactor for biopellets. Using the same pump and plumbing (currently that 1/2" soft tubing that comes with the 550 reactors), I now have the pump throttled back and getting excellent tumbling where I had no visible movement of the pellets before.

I am thinking of making it recirculating by plumbing in a tee both in front of and behind the pump. I'll put two valves on the pressurized side, one to adjust flow through the reactor and the other to control how much water gets pushed out of the reactor. Gate valves would be preferable.

On the other side of the pump, I'll leave one side of the tee open with a short piece of pipe attached. I think this will contain most of the water in the reactor while allowing fresh water in to replenish whatever exits.

I think this would work pretty well, as well as be adaptable for both internal and external pumps.