Low Tumble on Biopellets issue

[Spar]

I have an Avast Marine MR10-18 biopellet reactor that isn't tumbling very well. I have 1/2 gallon (maybe less now with them being consumed over time) of biopellets in there. I called Avast and they said to modify it a little which included taking off the bottom plate and cutting the output to end up being 1" above the bottom. I did the modifications and it just barely helped.

I also changed from a Mag 5 to a Mag 7 to give it a little more power, but again only helped a tad. Below is a youtube video I posted that shows the low tumble.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM5gJoS_xHo

Does this look like enough tumble or should I take more steps to figure out why it isn't tumbling much and to increase it?

 

[caliking]

I have buddies with this same issue and many of them sold their avast bp reactor and bought a reef octopus bp reactor. That are all very happy now and didn't have to modify anything to get a good low tumble. Sorry I couldnt answer your question, but I hope the info helps you in some way. Best regards.

 

[Spar]

Here is a better video of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43xCsguOBU4

 

[dagon138]

Funny, I use the Avast MR5-18' with an Eheim compact 1000 (265gph) tumbling 500ml of vertex pellets. No issue at all, in fact I had to throttle it back ever so very slightly. I used the screens on the top and bottom, but no mods needed.

 

[dagon138]

I guess try and take out half your bio-pellets to see if that helps.
Do you have the mesh disc along the bottom and top?
I would think you have all the gph you'd need and more...

 

[1leftygolfer]

What size is tank is the reactor connected to? Appears to be insufficient flow based on video. How long have you had the reactor running? Or more importantly, how is the tank behaving with the existing flow through the reactor?

 

[Spar]

It worked fine when it was just 1/4 gallon of pellets (~900ml), it is just now with there being 1/2 gallon (1800ml). The tank is 450g. My PO4 is .02ppm and no nitrates, so I guess it is working just fine with the current tumble. Just seems like everyone else has a rolling rumble going.


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[billwill]

Way too many pellets for that reactor it looks like. My MR-10 works OK with 500 ml of pellets after I made some mods too, but for your 450G you might need to go with a very dedicated design like the Reef Octopus or something to handle that volume of pellets. But if it's working (and it sounds like it is), then I wouldn't worry about what everybody else's tumble looks like.

 

[BigKahuna]

Flow seems a little low but as long as they aren't clumping or channeling you might be OK. That does seem like a lot of pellets for that reactor though. One thing to check is make sure the pellets aren't getting pulled back into the downpipe when flow to the reactor is turned off. You might want to empty it out and the refill it to make sure the BP's aren't clogging somewhere.

 

[lucidvtec]

ya that is not enough flow at all

 

[Tigé21v]

What brand of pellets are you running?

 

[Kolognekoral]

If you want to increase the flow, you will need a stronger pump and a bottom plate will help better distribute the flow. On the other hand, as it seems to be working fine, it is not a real problem, is it.

Clumping is what you want to avoid and circulation around all pellets, even if a bit slow. In general, one shouldn't place more than 50% dry capacity pellets into any given reactor, tops! When in adequate motion, the volume wants ot at least double. I'm using the Vertex UF-20 (2l cap.) with 1 litre of pellets and an Eheim 3000 Compact. As the reactor has a valve, as does the pump, I can control the water rate very well, which I need to do with this pump. Any good pump will work, as long as it can maintain its flow. Red Dragon is a great pump, if you want years of work with little maintainance. I find the Eheims last me 2-3 years until I need to replace something or another,...occaisonally the whole pump. But they are cheap and always available at the LFS. Convienience won out, here.

 

[Spar]

Thanks all for the responses.

I am using BRS Bio Pellets.

I emailed Avast and they are initially thinking that the problem might be with me using 1/2" ID tubing from the pump to the canister, which runs about 3 feet, and then 2-3 feet back to the sump. They are sending me some 3/4" fittings and will give that a shot before making any further moves.

I slightly feel like I am trying to fix something that 'aint broken', but may as well get it going the way it is intended.

 

[Spar]

I got an upgraded part from Avast that allows me to use 3/4" ID tubing rather than 1/2", and that makes all the difference for me. My Mag 7 now has to be turned down (via ball valve) significantly to keep the tumble down low.

I am going to try out using a Mag 3 instead of Mag 7 now.