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Need help figuring out the issue with my dual reactor

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Crystal formerly swcrys, Nov 16, 2014.

  1. Crystal formerly swcrys

    Crystal formerly swcrys Inactive User

    279
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I bought a dual media reactor a few weeks ago. Put the gfo and carbon in and flushed it all seemed well. Moved to to my sump got it going. It appeared all was still well. Then I noticed I was still cleaning my glass every few days. Figured it was older gfo (unused but older). Well I ordered new and swapped it out. Grabbed a jug to flush it through. Nothing is coming out the tube. I pulled the maxi jet and tested it in a bucket of water. It works great no issue. The chamber for the gfo did fill. But the gfo does not tumble and there is no water coming from the external tube. So there is an issue some where inside the reactor. Any ideas on what the issue could be?
     
  2. Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,818 / 14 / -0
    Is there a shut-off or flow control valve somewhere in the system?
     
  3. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    A couple ideas

    How high do you have the reactor in relation to the maxi jet? You may have too much head pressure.

    Also, make sure you arent sucking in waste from your sump, it will plug up your reactor very fast & wont allow water through.

    I have found the maxi jets are very ineffective with reactors, just not enough power in them.
     
  4. Crystal formerly swcrys

    Crystal formerly swcrys Inactive User

    279
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Here is what I have figure out. There is a valve but it is not the issue. I removed the inner canisters to check to see if the water will flow through and it worked just fine. So it has to be something I'm doing wrong with the internal canisters which hold the media. Gfo canister is just under half full. So plenty of tumble space. Carbon is about half full and is pushed up to the top. I have watched the brs YouTube video a million times. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I'm going to try and take more gfo out.
     
  5. jeremy Acro Addict

    Davenport, IA
    Ratings:
    +836 / 4 / -0
    Sounds like maybe something is stuck in the threaded fitting between the 2 canisters. I run a dual reactor with a maxi jet for about 3 years now no problems with flow in mine and they are both full to the top with carbon and gfo. Every 3-4 months I pull pump and all fittings loose and clean with hot water and blow them out cause some gunk builds up in there but never enough to plug it. Also rinse and blow out elbows and fitting that is connected to top of reactor.
     
  6. GoodGreef Well-Known ReefKeeper

    681
    Clive, IA
    Ratings:
    +239 / 2 / -0

    Try putting the maxi-jet on the other side? Maybe some example youre looking at is a slightly different design etc. Or maybe it will at least help push out any blockage.


     
  7. Crystal formerly swcrys

    Crystal formerly swcrys Inactive User

    279
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Thanks guys. Some of the other members helped as well and we got it figured out. Gfo clogged the carbon so they was no output. Got it cleaned up and runs better then before. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Hopefully my tank will be back on track very soon!
     
  8. HarleyHawk

    HarleyHawk Well-Known ReefKeeper

    558
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0

    Nice that you got it taken care of. That is what I like about this club everybody tries to help
     
  9. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Those hrs duel reactors are notorious for clogging and needing cleaned frequent
     

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