What rector
- Thread starter ademster
- Start date
SKAREEF
Member
I have 1- PB550 and 2-PB150 all seem to work ok. I had the BRS (dual stage?) and I spent more time cleaning it then it did cleaning my tank. Sorry..
If I have any issues with the phos ban then next I am going to try the nextreef or make my own. Actually I was thinking of modifying the calc reactor you are selling....:hmm3:
If I have any issues with the phos ban then next I am going to try the nextreef or make my own. Actually I was thinking of modifying the calc reactor you are selling....:hmm3:
bugs713
In-A-Gadda-Divita!
I am very happy with NextReef MR reactors!
http://www.nextreef.com/reactors.html
I had their Shorty reactor running bio pellets for about 12 months on my 55g with no problems, never even had to clean it. I am now running two of their MR1 reactors on my 185g (see my build thread) and I like them MUCH better than the BRS dual reactors I was running! These have a 4" chamber while the RODI style reactors have like a 2" cartridge that clogs easily and bricks your expensive GFO and GAC.
I will eventually switch out the BRS reactors in my 55g also with the Nextreef brand.
http://www.nextreef.com/reactors.html
I had their Shorty reactor running bio pellets for about 12 months on my 55g with no problems, never even had to clean it. I am now running two of their MR1 reactors on my 185g (see my build thread) and I like them MUCH better than the BRS dual reactors I was running! These have a 4" chamber while the RODI style reactors have like a 2" cartridge that clogs easily and bricks your expensive GFO and GAC.
I will eventually switch out the BRS reactors in my 55g also with the Nextreef brand.
Dre59
Z&P Addict from IL
I love my TLF reactors for GFO & carbon.. Have two running off one MJ1200..
Now I really dont like the dual reactors from BRS for GFO & carbon
Now for Bio-pellets I use to have this reactor and couldn't be happier
http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydra_Aq...ctors-Hydra_Aquatics-AZ21465-FIFRISBP-vi.html
Now I really dont like the dual reactors from BRS for GFO & carbon
Now for Bio-pellets I use to have this reactor and couldn't be happier
http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydra_Aq...ctors-Hydra_Aquatics-AZ21465-FIFRISBP-vi.html
I installed a SpectraPure Media Reactor this week on my tank and can say quality is good and the Independent flow control of each chamber is nice
This is how I have my brs one set up. Does not hold enough for my volume
lostmyz
New member
I hate my BRS reactor it cloggs and is a pain in the *** to clean same with their Bio pellet one.... Its a modified RO/DI canister....
I need to take my dremel and make the slots a little bigger on the BioPellet reactor and I am seriously thinking of switching my BRS dual reactor for something else
azjohnny
Active member
Adem
here are my experiences with reactors
GFO- TLF Phosban 550 with a Eheim compact 600 pump, ran pretty good but after about 4-7 days the flow would become uneven and I would have to remove the lid and mix up the media, it did become a PITA
Bio Pellets
The first one I tried the the Phosban 550 and even with the foam removed I never got the media to tumble correctly. After I went to a different reactor I found this video for a mod and have heard it works well
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Kh7LZExaMrA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I then tried a Reef Octopus BR140 and it tumbled better but in order to control the output you would have to back off on the pump flow and that would negatively effect the tumbling of the pellets
My 3rd attempt was the Reef Dynamics BPR250. It is a recirculating style and the pellets tumble very well and you can control the output without effecting the tumbling. On the Reef Dynamics web site there are some videos that have some good information about bio pellets and reactors
lostmyz
New member
Here is a [profanity] mod for the BRS Biopellet reactor to make it more functional cause currently it sucks balls!
When I got BioPellets with a reactor from BRS, I could never get it right. I was using MaxiJet Utility pump 1100 (294gph), they say it should be enough but over night, there was no tumbling at all!! and it was not even a cup of pellets!!! Then I saw this mod by Sacul1573 and got inspired, decided to mod my reactor. Thanks Sacul, you the man!!!!
By doing this, the canister can hold much more pellets since I dont use the inner container any more and less likely to lose flow due to the clog.
Here is the quick 30 sec vid. of being leak tested.
It's holding a cup (~240ml?) of pellets.
Ok, I try to document this with pics as much as I can.
This is what you need:
From left
- PVC mesh disk ($0.79 at Micheal's)
- PVC 3/4 about 10" (2 feet @ $1.50 at Home depot)
- Funnel ($1 at Walmart)
- PVC 3/4 Cap ($0.36 at HD)
- O ring (had to buy 10 only need one $2.50)
- zip ties (you have them, no?)
and other tools and a power drill.
First of all, you are gonna have to heat up the tip of the 3/4" PVC pipe. The reactor diameter is not standard, you have to squeeze it in. Just carefully use the torch until the tip becomes soft and push/squeeze over the inlet inside of the reactor lid.
It heats up faster than you think. I used the camping stove we have.
Make a donut out of the mesh disc. Outer diameter is about 3.5" and the inner dia. is a tad less than 1".
And this. Used some zipties so the mesh stays in place.
Cut and trim the funnel so it would fit inside of the reactor. Like this:
Cut it bigger first and trim it little by little so it fits nice and snugly.
Drill a bunch of outlet holes including the very bottom of the 3/4" cap. Make sure the holes are BIGGER than the pellets, so they won't clog the water outlet. Place an O ring in the lid, fill up the canister with the pellets, put he lid and you're good to go!
I didnt use any glue or pvc cement so whenever I have to, I can take it apart completely.
Oh almost forgot the most important thing!! You have to connect the 1/2" hose opposite way since the water flow is REVERSED! Connect the pump on the "OUT" side and the water comes out from the "IN" side.
It is so efficient, you wont need 300gph to run this modded reactor
Enjoy!
When I got BioPellets with a reactor from BRS, I could never get it right. I was using MaxiJet Utility pump 1100 (294gph), they say it should be enough but over night, there was no tumbling at all!! and it was not even a cup of pellets!!! Then I saw this mod by Sacul1573 and got inspired, decided to mod my reactor. Thanks Sacul, you the man!!!!
By doing this, the canister can hold much more pellets since I dont use the inner container any more and less likely to lose flow due to the clog.
Here is the quick 30 sec vid. of being leak tested.
It's holding a cup (~240ml?) of pellets.
Ok, I try to document this with pics as much as I can.
This is what you need:
From left
- PVC mesh disk ($0.79 at Micheal's)
- PVC 3/4 about 10" (2 feet @ $1.50 at Home depot)
- Funnel ($1 at Walmart)
- PVC 3/4 Cap ($0.36 at HD)
- O ring (had to buy 10 only need one $2.50)
- zip ties (you have them, no?)
and other tools and a power drill.
First of all, you are gonna have to heat up the tip of the 3/4" PVC pipe. The reactor diameter is not standard, you have to squeeze it in. Just carefully use the torch until the tip becomes soft and push/squeeze over the inlet inside of the reactor lid.
It heats up faster than you think. I used the camping stove we have.
Make a donut out of the mesh disc. Outer diameter is about 3.5" and the inner dia. is a tad less than 1".
And this. Used some zipties so the mesh stays in place.
Cut and trim the funnel so it would fit inside of the reactor. Like this:
Cut it bigger first and trim it little by little so it fits nice and snugly.
Drill a bunch of outlet holes including the very bottom of the 3/4" cap. Make sure the holes are BIGGER than the pellets, so they won't clog the water outlet. Place an O ring in the lid, fill up the canister with the pellets, put he lid and you're good to go!
I didnt use any glue or pvc cement so whenever I have to, I can take it apart completely.
Oh almost forgot the most important thing!! You have to connect the 1/2" hose opposite way since the water flow is REVERSED! Connect the pump on the "OUT" side and the water comes out from the "IN" side.
It is so efficient, you wont need 300gph to run this modded reactor
Enjoy!
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