BioPellet Reactor

Hey Chad,
I was using a BRS Jumbo Biopellet reactor (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/aquarium-additives-supplements/bio-pellets/jumbo-brs-bio-pellet-reactor.html).  What I liked about the BRS reactor is that I could hang it on the wall
and keep it out of my sump.  It makes room for other stuff in there.  I could also convert it to a carbon or GFO reactor later by just switching the insert, so it has some nice versatility.  It started out fine, but after about 6 weeks, the pellets started clumping.  For weeks, I worked with BRS to resolve this.  Using a smaller quantity of pellets, more flow, cleaning the pellet chamber & screens, cleaning the pellets, etc.  Ultimately, the guys at BRS suggested that it was probably an issue with the reactor and suggested that I send it back.  For my trouble, they also offered me a nice discount on a Reef Octopus reactor, which is what I'm using now.  The Reef Octopus reactor (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/aquarium-additives-supplements/bio-pellets/super-reef-octopus-biopellet-reactors.html) is a more expensive reactor, but a real quality built reactor and I'm happy with it.  I've had it online for maybe a month now and things are going good.  I like and dislike the cone at the bottom.  The cone definitely helps with tumbling the pellets more evenly and I see all pellets moving nicely.  What I dislike about it, is that you have to get the water intake pipe aligned with a little piece at the bottom (in the center of the cone), and it can be difficult to do when it's full of pellets.  You'll know if you got it wrong if the pellets are not tumbling evenly.  I've found it easiest to lay it at an angle (around 75 degrees) so that the piece the pipe has to connect to is exposed and alignment is easier.   The fact is, you shouldn't have to disassemble the reactor often so this infrequent inconvenience is worth it to get more even tumbling of the pellets.  Another thing that I dislike about the Reef Octopus reactor is that the screen on the top is not fixed and does not always stay in place.  It's supposed to sit on a little ledge in the top of the reactor, but I find it floating up above that from time to time.  Also, the screen is a fine mesh so if your modded TLF reactor clog on you, the screen on this is larger than the TLF reactor is, so it would take longer, but it would certainly show the same clogging issues.
If you stay with the modded TLF, get some Maxijet pre-filter sponges http://www.bigalsonline.com/Maxi-Jet-Pre-Filter-Sponge_7782145_82.html.  BRS used to sell them, but they don't seem to anymore.  They would keep the big stuff out of your reactor to prevent the screen from clogging.
I hope this info helps.
--AJ

 

Chad,
I have been using the tlf reactor for months now and have had no issues after some very light modding. I do have a couple questions/recommendations.
1) How full is it? When sitting still(by this I mean when pumps are off), that specific reactor can only sustain 1/3-1/2 full of pellets. Anything more than that and they will begin to cake.
2) What sort of pump are you using? MJ1200 works like a charm for me.
3) Are you using the sponges? If so, remove them. They WILL clog things up. Go out to a craft store and buy some needle point plastic canvas. They even have it in red if you want it to match!. zCut it to the shape/size of your stock plastic grate, and zip-tie it to there. This will make the filter smaller so pellets don't get out, but is much more open than the sponge which gets clogged for bacterial plaques.
I have been running it this way since late November/ early December and is has been working beautifully for me.

 

I used a tlf for about 4 months without issue. It helps to slightly angle the reactor to get the pellits going. I switched to a nextreef feactor and ran that for about 3 months and it was a beast. I did mod the nextreef alittle though. The outlet for the watter at the bottum of the reactor has a hole on eather side which caused the pellits to tumble up eather side but left the space inbetween unmoving. It was easy to fix though just drilled two more holes so that there was a ring of holes all the way around.

 

I would check out the Avast Marine reactors. The price is pretty good and if your up to build it yourself you will save another $20 or so. I am going to order the build it yourself style and give it a whirl.

 

I also use the TLF reactor. I agree with Bela. Take out the Sponges, they clog. I used the plastic needle point canvas you can get at local craft and hobbys stores for like a buck. I'm running a MJ 1200 on it and they tumble perfectly.