Show me your phosban reactor setup

[Radicaljbr]

I am getting my new phosban reactor in a couple of days and before it arrives, I would like to know how to set it up with my overflow.

I would really like pictures of how others set this up. I am hoping not to use a pump, but rather the downward force to run my reactor.

I am also wanting to T off to my skimmer directly, but not sure if I have enough water flow.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[tjay]

Not a pro here but I would think just drain flow wont work
Even the instructions say it will require pumping water through it.

 

[Radicaljbr]

I know a few people said they just used the overflor water. It only requires something like 80 or 90 gph so you don't think you can get that with just the overflow?

 

[tjay]

I cannot imagine how you would set that up.
I tend to stay away from anything in the drain, any thing that could lead to a drain failure and a flood.
I also tend to follow the manufacturer instructions, and If I remember correctly they say use a pump. Mine is powered of my return but a pump none the less

 

[elephen]

You want very low flow. Like a mini-jet pump dialed all the way back, 80-110gph from what I understand.

 

[kbmdale]

run it with a small powerhead. you can get one at wal-mart that pushes 107gph. If you got the two little fishies one which it sounds like, you will get a ball valve with it to dial in the flow and instructions on how to correctly dial it in...its really very simple...and as far as using a feed from your overflow, unless its 1/2" line your gonna have to rethink it or you will have to much flow which will cause the media to grind up and disperse throughout your tank.

 

[Radicaljbr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6453003#post6453003 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kbmdale
run it with a small powerhead. you can get one at wal-mart that pushes 107gph. If you got the two little fishies one which it sounds like, you will get a ball valve with it to dial in the flow and instructions on how to correctly dial it in...its really very simple...and as far as using a feed from your overflow, unless its 1/2" line your gonna have to rethink it or you will have to much flow which will cause the media to grind up and disperse throughout your tank.

I was going to use a ball valve on my overflow and only let a small amount come through till the top media starts to "jump".

The rest of the overflow would go to my skimmer tank.

This is what others have told me they do. They "T" off the overflow drain. I am doing this anyway because I am deverting some water to a fuge.

If the "T" does not work I can aways just use a pump. I guess people just put the pump in their sump?

Thanks

 

[tjay]

I am just curious why you would completly ignore the manufacturers instructions. No disrespect but seems like a sure fire way to waste money.

 

[Radicaljbr]

Because several other people on here told me that is how they do it.

If you get a 80-90 gph flow rate, what is the difference?

If it does not work, I can always go to the maxi with NO HARM done.

Thanks

 

[Radicaljbr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6453253#post6453253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tjay
I am just curious why you would completly ignore the manufacturers instructions. No disrespect but seems like a sure fire way to waste money.

Actually, had no idea a maxi only costs $12.

Think maybe I will go that route. Seems it is a lot easier.

Still would like to see setups from people who have done direct to overflow.

 

[kbmdale]

Your right you can change it, and it will probably work. I guess I just like the ability to shut things off without changing anything. If you plumb it with your skimmer you are taking water from your skimmer when it is on, and adding water when it is off, how will this effect the effeciency of the skimmer. If the answer is none the go for it.

 

[tjay]

The hobby is full of folks doing it different and having success.
So it may indeed work. I was just curious why you would want to.
I dont see an advantage in doing it that way, in fact messing with a drain is a good way to have problems.
Another alternative is to t your return with a valve on it to adjust flow through the reactor back to the sump.

Good luck with how ever you go with it

 

[prezioso73]

Radical,....are you a C-SEA member?

I think it is a good idea.
I am thinking of trying it myself.
Just T off your overflow pipe, use a valve and adjust it till the flow is correct.

My question is can bubbles flow through the reactor? I just ordered mine...

 

[Radicaljbr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6457579#post6457579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by prezioso73
Radical,....are you a C-SEA member?

I think it is a good idea.
I am thinking of trying it myself.
Just T off your overflow pipe, use a valve and adjust it till the flow is correct.

My question is can bubbles flow through the reactor? I just ordered mine...

Yes, I am a C-SEA member, but just signed up last month at the Christmas party so I have not been to a formal meeting yet. Not looking forward to the 3 hour meetings on a Friday night.

Yes, you can T off from the overflow, or, I was looking at weathmans "tank of the month" from December and he T off from his return pump. Another thought.

Thanks

 

[AZDesertRat]

Phosban Reactors have sponge filters inside them. You will plug them up pretty quickly and all the phosban will pack to the top of the column and turn into a solid cake. Its best to use a very small powerhead and just fluidize the material barely so its suspended but not really boiling or you will grind it into a powder real quick.

 

[LOTUS50GOD]

i run 2 reactors with a mj 1200... even then the ball valves are dialed way back.

 

[Radicaljbr]

Just installed my new Phosban reactor.

All kinds of questions.

1. I put in 100 grams of phosban. I put it at around 53 GPH which is the ratio it states for that amount. It is kind of boiling at the top surface of the phosban and the water above is a little brown. I thought this was not right so I turned it down to about 30 GPH and it is barely tumbling at top. I mean barely. Which is right?

2. I installed it with a Maxi 600. I cannot get the pump to work without having to suck the air out till it gets through the reactor. Then it will start pumping. Is this normal? Kind of like it needs primed.

3. Can I mix carbon in there with it? And how? Just mix it all up or layer it?

Yes, I threw away the first gallon or so of water till it ran clear. But it still seems a little brownish above the mediam.

 

[reefkeeps]

bump

 

[xdusty6920]

why not just simple use it on the return line by using a "t". it would actually have the advantage of force from a pump rather then just gravity. also the problem is phosban reactors can pick up alot of "gunk" pretty quickly. using it on the return slows this a good bit because its not recieving direct fouled water from the tank but rather water thats already went through your skimmer, filter sock, fuge etc.

 

[jeffhaag]

I run mine on a Tee off my return pump and am very happy. I have it dialed so the media tumbles lightly. I use mine for carbon though and change out the media every month. Works nicely to the keep the water crystal clear...