your thoughts/experiences with T.L.F. Phosban Reactor

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I am considering running one and would like to know peoples thoughts/experiences with it.
-Thank You

 

[TwistedTiger]

After reading nothing but good things about it I purchased on and am having problems. I can't get the bottom sponge and diffuser plate to stay down no matter what my flow rate. I'll get it set up with the media just barely tumbling and the next day the sponge and plate will be a couple of inches off the bottom and the flow is channeling and blowing the media around on one side. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GMGQ]

Huh? You must have it set up wrong then.

That bottom diffuser plate (red) should be attached to the middle tube. That tube holds down the plastic plate, so it's physically impossible for that plate to 'float' up. (My guess is that yours is somehow not attached to that middle tube).

What media and how much are you using? There should be enough media to hold down the sponge.

Also what pump are you using? They suggest a Maxijet 400, and even that has to be choked back to around 50%.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

so you need a gate valve?
or head loss from vertical tubing up to reactor inlet?

 

[coralnut99]

Along for the ride. Just got mine, and plan on getting it up and running this w/e.

 

[GMGQ]

It comes with one:

Did you buy yours used?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6574524#post6574524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
so you need a gate valve?
or head loss from vertical tubing up to reactor inlet?

 

[bobt2]

i have 2 in two tanks. they work great. powered by maxi 400's. i add a little filter fluff to retain the fine particals in the chamber. the pumps are set to a very low flow rate

 

[Ti]

Thy should have made that with the screw top to begin with.
The screws are a PITA

 

[elephen]

I got a new one a few weeks ago and love the new screw on top, beats those pesky thumbscrews!

 

[TwistedTiger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6574446#post6574446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GMGQ
Huh? You must have it set up wrong then.



That bottom diffuser plate (red) should be attached to the middle tube. That tube holds down the plastic plate, so it's physically impossible for that plate to 'float' up. (My guess is that yours is somehow not attached to that middle tube).

What media and how much are you using? There should be enough media to hold down the sponge.

Also what pump are you using? They suggest a Maxijet 400, and even that has to be choked back to around 50%.

My mistake It's just the sponge and not the plate rising up. I have a 120GPH power head on it choked back at least 50% so that the media on top is just barely moving. I've tried both phosban and antiphos and it does the same thing. It is set up correct according to the istructions and the pic you posted. Mine is one of the older screw type but should work exactly the same.

 

[Lordhelmet]

I'm getting mine tomorrow. CAN"T WAIT!

 

[elekamit]

Which reactor do you think is better?
tlf's? or kent's?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

from what i've gathered the tlf

 

[elekamit]

from what I've heard they work exactly the same.

 

[elephen]

Except the Kent is more money and I tend to not trust Kent products.

 

[xtrstangx]

Mine works good. I only have about 20 GPH going through it. Just enough to tumble 1" of media.

 

[sjm817]

AFAIK, Kent does not include the flow valve like TLF does.

 

[javajaws]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6575764#post6575764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elekamit
Which reactor do you think is better?
tlf's? or kent's?

I own both....TLF. The Kent is a piece of $#%@. Very cheap plastic, impossible to open/close. Doesn't include the required ball valve.