Question about GFO and biopellets reactor

[smoq]

Here's the thing- I am thinking of running a a phosphate remove media in my upgrade tank and possibly biopellets too. I have an old 3-stage rodi that has the same size chambers as the one I have plumbed under my sink, which suggest that they botha re standard size RODI filter canisters. Now I've seen those reactors http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ments/bio-pellets/brs-bio-pellet-reactor.html and http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/brs-gfo-and-carbon-reactor.html


Questions are-

1. Can I convert my rodi into reactor using these cartridges http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...-for-use-with-the-brs-bio-pellet-reactor.html and http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...lable-cartridge-for-use-with-brs-reactor.html or do I have to buy their reactor to fit these?
2. If I can, should I run them separately or can I make a two stage reactor? Basically what I'm asking is if they have the same flow requirements?

Thanks for all your help

 

[batt600]

One is i wouldnt us that for the pellets you need a nice amount of room for the pellets to tumble if there not tumbleing right you will have problem with the pellets . You will have to run the gfo separate from the pellets . The pellets require more flow then the gfo . Get a vertex UF15 reactor there ment for pellet us .

 

[smoq]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the tank is 57g and the RODI cartridges are standard size. So the biopellets reactor us different sized rodi cartdridges?

 

[batt600]

They dont use any cartridges at all its a open cylinder for the pellets to move around.

Here a pic of my vertex uf15 reactor

 

[smoq]

OK now I get it. Thanks for posting a picture. I was hoping I would be able to save some money by using the RODI filters. Would you say I can use it to build a GFO reactor or it needs a lot of space too? I see that the TLF phosbane reactor is about thesame size as rodi canister.

 

[danager]

I have actually just started to use the BRS Unit with their Ferric Oxide and Carbon and its working better then my last unit which cracked a few months ago. You should be able to do the plumbing no sweat and they have all of the plug an play parts. Use the "Modified 10" refillable cartridges" as they fit nicely into that little hole at the bottom of the acryllic. Just make sure they come with the sponges so your media doesent fall out.

As for the bio pellets, you might be able to put a filter sock (or maybe even pantyhose) over the top and screw on the acryllic canister this way you get the flow in that whole canister instead of just the inner changeable tube. I haven't used the bio pellets so I really can not speak to this, however, I am just going off of Batt600's saying "you need a nice amount of room for the pellets to tumble if there not tumbleing right you will have problem with the pellets." If you had individual pumps for each canister, instead of running them in series, then you wouldn't have an issue as you can set the flow as desired. Good Luck!

 

[smoq]

I have actually just started to use the BRS Unit with their Ferric Oxide and Carbon and its working better then my last unit which cracked a few months ago. You should be able to do the plumbing no sweat and they have all of the plug an play parts. Use the "Modified 10" refillable cartridges" as they fit nicely into that little hole at the bottom of the acryllic. Just make sure they come with the sponges so your media doesent fall out.

As for the bio pellets, you might be able to put a filter sock (or maybe even pantyhose) over the top and screw on the acryllic canister this way you get the flow in that whole canister instead of just the inner changeable tube. I haven't used the bio pellets so I really can not speak to this, however, I am just going off of Batt600's saying "you need a nice amount of room for the pellets to tumble if there not tumbleing right you will have problem with the pellets." If you had individual pumps for each canister, instead of running them in series, then you wouldn't have an issue as you can set the flow as desired. Good Luck!

Ok, that will work. I have a spare eheim canister so maybe I can use that for biopellets and rodi for gfo?

 

[kroman]

Thats interesting you guys are using GFO with bio pellets? my impression is if your using the pellets there is no need for GFO. My phosphate is 0.00 using only the Warner Marine EcoBAK pellets. They also need MUCH less flow than the other brands, 100 LT per hour for 1lt of media. Also due to thge low flow rate and my tanks small size 40B i just use the 2lf reactor with the sponges removed and a maxijet 600. I went with that reactor simply because i need it to hang on the back of my tank and the vertex input and output does not lend itself to hang on the back of the tank that well.

 

[batt600]

Thats interesting you guys are using GFO with bio pellets? my impression is if your using the pellets there is no need for GFO. My phosphate is 0.00 using only the Warner Marine EcoBAK pellets. They also need MUCH less flow than the other brands, 100 LT per hour for 1lt of media. Also due to thge low flow rate and my tanks small size 40B i just use the 2lf reactor with the sponges removed and a maxijet 600. I went with that reactor simply because i need it to hang on the back of my tank and the vertex input and output does not lend itself to hang on the back of the tank that well.

Yes you dont need the GFO when on pellets nut when you first start the pellet it may take a mounth or 2 before thay start to work .

 

[Alex]

Smoq, I've used several of the reactors on the market, which I won't mention in order not to start a war of products. I finally settled on the bulkreefsupply media reactors for their ease of use and simplicity. with the ones I used before they leaked. I then used the bulkreef bio-pellets reactor shown below and I will say that it is the best one I've used. It allows the pellets to work as directed.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/jumbo-brs-bio-pellet-reactor.html

 

[smoq]

Smoq, I've used several of the reactors on the market, which I won't mention in order not to start a war of products. I finally settled on the bulkreefsupply media reactors for their ease of use and simplicity. with the ones I used before they leaked. I then used the bulkreef bio-pellets reactor shown below and I will say that it is the best one I've used. It allows the pellets to work as directed.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/jumbo-brs-bio-pellet-reactor.html

May I ask how big is your tank? I was looking for the jumbo one but with the media is a lot of money I currently don't have. Do you think the regular $40 reactor would be enough for a 57g (is it any different than regular rodi filter?). I have an eheim 2213 canister filter lying around which I could use too.

 

[batt600]

Ok see this is the problem every one want to use pellet and using all differt types of reactors and alot are have problems with clumping up or egg smell or crashing there tank . Buy the reactor thats ment for the pellets not one they say you can convert it to one.

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

+ 1 on Batt600...

The fitting on the RODI 3/8 push tube insert fitting restricts flow thus not made for bio pellet use. The models made for the Bio Pellets use 1/2 inch fitting.

So as bat stated, use the proper equipment made for it.

 

[smoq]

Ok see this is the problem every one want to use pellet and using all differt types of reactors and alot are have problems with clumping up or egg smell or crashing there tank . Buy the reactor thats ment for the pellets not one they say you can convert it to one.

OK let's say I'll buy the bulkreefsupply one (not the jumbo). Their customer service representative told me the media holder will fit into regular rodi canister so what's special about their reactor vs regular rodi canister? From the picture it looks just like a regular rodi with special cartridge to hold media. Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[smoq]

+ 1 on Batt600...

The fitting on the RODI 3/8 push tube insert fitting restricts flow thus not made for bio pellet use. The models made for the Bio Pellets use 1/2 inch fitting.

So as bat stated, use the proper equipment made for it.

You can remove that 3/8 push tube insert fitting in my rodi and then you have a FTP 3/4 inch fitting where you can screw a barbxMTP up to 1".

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

The BRS will work, because of the fitting used. Keep in mind also that you would need to make some sort of makeshift strainer top because the sponges that come with the unit will clog.

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

Tom has actually used something that will work... here is the link.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/863203-post112.html

 

[batt600]

Look its up to you the BRS you can try but you will eventually buy the right reactor in the long run . Do a search and you will see alot of people having problem with pellets because there using the wrong reactors unless you like to spend money. I have a zoe reactor that i tryied with the pellets and didnt tumble the pellets right so bought the reactors that ment for the pellets

 

[kroman]

It also depends on what kind of pellets you wind up using, they are not all the same, some need massive flow others dont.