Reactor MJ powerhead split question (1 Viewer)

[acharpenter]

I have an MJ600 running GFO through a Two little fishies reactor and am planning on installing a BRS reactor to run carbon.

Will the MJ600 split between the 2 reactors be enough? I also have an MJ1200 I could use, or maybe that might be too much?

 

[Fragtastic Reef]

Only issue you will have is the carbon will clog up much quicker than the GFO so its going to be difficult to run them in series unless you mess around with the flow rate a lot.

I would use the 1200 pump you have with a ball valve.

 

[patent]

Would need valves to regulate the flow between the reactors so that all the flow doesn't wind up heading to the easy path and clogging the other. Easier to just get another MJ600.

 

[acharpenter]

So split the flow using the 1200 or add another MJ 600

Sounds like best idea is separate pump for each reactor -

I rooted around in the fish closet and found that I happen to have a little off brand pump that runs right around the same rate as the MJ600 that should work well and also found a 1/2" ball valve for it.

So my next question is - which reactor should I run the more powerful pump (MJ600) on, the Little Fishies GFO reactor or the BRS carbon reactor?

I'm so reactor stoopid - first time running these in the hobby

 

[marty9876]

More powerful on the carbon assuming the other one tumbles the GFO fine. Agreed with others, so much simpler running dedicated pumps in each reactors - even on big systems it's so much easier having dedicated pumps on things where possible.

 

[acharpenter]

More powerful on the carbon assuming the other one tumbles the GFO fine. Agreed with others, so much simpler running dedicated pumps in each reactors - even on big systems it's so much easier having dedicated pumps on things where possible.

K - will have to test to make sure the off brand tumbles the GFO sufficiently so I can put the MJ on the carbon reactor - ty

One more thing - I was testing the BRS reactor just now and it has a tiny drip leak coming out of the threads. I have pulled and cleaned the o-ring and tested with different tightness on it but it continues the tiny trickle leak. Going to purchase some new o-rings to see if that fixes it but what else could be the cause?

Note - I have no idea how old this reactor is - I have had it for years after picking it up from someone somewhere and it appears to be in pretty new shape with no cracks etc

Whats with your signature?

 

[marty9876]

Make sure the ring wet when you assemble. A little silicone grease would fix it for sure if you happen to have any - thinking diving gear maybe. Replacing the ring is likely really not needed, maybe some veggy oil would work. Wet on assembly should work.

I owe him $10 bucks, don't want to forget and I thought it was funny.

 

[acharpenter]

Make sure the ring wet when you assemble. A little silicone grease would fix it for sure if you happen to have any - thinking diving gear maybe. Replacing the ring is likely really not needed, maybe some veggy oil would work. Wet on assembly should work.

I owe him $10 bucks, don't want to forget and I thought it was funny.

I am actually a diver and do have the silicone - Ill try that - thank you Putz

 

[acharpenter]

Dude - the veggie juice worked - awesome!

Thanks guys for all your help!

 

[Otolith]

Am I foolish to think I can run carbon and gfo in the same reactor, separated by a filter pad?


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[cheezybuda]

Am I foolish to think I can run carbon and gfo in the same reactor, separated by a filter pad?
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If you are going to run them in the same reactor, I would advise that you mix them together. The carbon should prevent the GFO from clumping up. Set up the filter pads like you would for carbon only so it doesn't grind up the GFO. BRS has a good video from back in the day on this.

 

[Otolith]

If you are going to run them in the same reactor, I would advise that you mix them together. The carbon should prevent the GFO from clumping up. Set up the filter pads like you would for carbon only so it doesn't grind up the GFO. BRS has a good video from back in the day on this.

Thanks for the info! I'll have to go take a look at the BRS website.

 

[marty9876]

Ironically anytime I used GFO I always had the best results when I mixed GFO and carbon together. Makes it so much easier to run for me, 2:1 ratio is what I always did (no real logic to it) and mixed it in a bowl before loading the reactor.

 

[ikserk]

Ironically anytime I used GFO I always had the best results when I mixed GFO and carbon together. Makes it so much easier to run for me, 2:1 ratio is what I always did (no real logic to it) and mixed it in a bowl before loading the reactor.

+1 this is how I run it too. no need to keep checking and adjusting the tumble rate of the GFO

 

[cheezybuda]

Ironically anytime I used GFO I always had the best results when I mixed GFO and carbon together. Makes it so much easier to run for me, 2:1 ratio is what I always did (no real logic to it) and mixed it in a bowl before loading the reactor.

I think BRS recommended that ratio as well. The force is strong with you, Marty

 

[acharpenter]

Am I foolish to think I can run carbon and gfo in the same reactor, separated by a filter pad?


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I looked into doing this and almost bought a BRS deluxe reactor to run them together.

The only downside is that the carbon gets broken down faster by the GFO pellets (or vice-versa, cant recall now) so you need to replace the carbon more often (which means also replacing the GFO at the same time since they are inter-mingled) then if you ran them separate.

Since I had everything on hand to run them each in their own reactor and it would allow the media to last longer by running them separate - this is the route I went.

BRS does have a ton of great instructional/informational video's on the whole process and the differences in in media etc.

 

[marty9876]

The combining play is less about making the best use of the media (Every last usability of the carbon [which can't be measured anyways] and the GFO) and more about simplifying the use of those products. Tumbling GFO sucks.

 

[acharpenter]

Now you all have me rethinking the plan. Tumbling the GFO does suck - does anyone know if the Two Little Fishies works well for combining the 2?

I have heard the BRS Deluxe that I was going to purchase for this use didnt do a very good job....?

 

[marty9876]

Either works for combining, general reports are the tlf is better at GFO tumbling for sure I think if not for either approach. Brs stuff is fine the problem is the screen parts of the inserts always clog over time. With carbon/mix approach this is not as much as a issue as you just brute force it until it stops, with tumble it causes frequent adjustments being needed. For some it's likely fine, I hate tinkering with crap daily.

 

[acharpenter]

Either works for combining, general reports are the tlf is better at GFO tumbling for sure I think if not for either approach. Brs stuff is fine the problem is the screen parts of the inserts always clog over time. With carbon/mix approach this is not as much as a issue as you just brute force it until it stops, with tumble it causes frequent adjustments being needed. For some it's likely fine, I hate tinkering with crap daily.

K - think imma go for mixing both in the TLF - main reason is the GFO tumble really is a Pita

Thanks for the info! I'll have to go take a look at the BRS website.

BRS vids I found helpful:

[youtube]yba8hkQ6WC8[/youtube]

[youtube]UbLF1zgw8oQ[/youtube]