BRS Reactors and Pumps

J

Jhunt269

I've got both a single BRS reactor for running Biopellets and a dual BRS reactor for GFO and Carbon. I've been running both with Maxijet 1200 pumps for 9+ months and just don't think that a MJ1200 is powerful enough. Supposedly 295GPH. I've been considering upgrading to a Mag 3 or Rio 1400 but not sure. I heard bad things about Rios. I've run Mags for years, but they are twice the price.
Also, MJ1200 doesn't list head pressure. RIO 1400 says it's 420GPH and 333GPH at 2'. The Mag 3 says it's 350GPH, but 375GPH at 0', 350GPH at 1' and 325GPH at 2'... strange.
Any reccomendations to keep them biopellets churning?
 
I can show you my set up when you come over to get some xenia and GSP.

I have heard that the BRS reactor isn't sufficient for running BioPellets. If you look at the reefoctopus reactor and other pure "biopellet" reactors you will notice there is a cone feature at the bottom that allows for the water to be pushed in a way that hopefully keeps them tumbling. I still have to shake mine occasionally to keep it flowing. But I've been able to remove all of my hair algae that I had a few months back.

I run a Mag 5 on my small biopellet reactor and I need to up it to a Mag 7 because i still think its not enough.
 
Agreed that BRS BP Reactors don't let sufficient tumble occur. I have a Jumbo one that I replaced with an Avast reactor after a month of use. The Avast works great on my 1/2 gallon of BP's and am only using a Mag5; a Mag3 was actually strong enough as well. I did have to shake the unit for my first time the other day but it is tumbling fine now.
 
Can't help you with the Bio-pellets, although I've heard the same complaints about the BRS reactors w/ Bio-pellets. I run 2 single BRS Reactors. MJ1200 on both. Keep in mind, the GFO needs to be "Slightly" tumbling. Have to throttle mine back on the intake side. Carbon well packed & ran wide open.
 
If you are a DIY fan you can do this

://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/i-made-better-biopellet-brs-reactor-mod-119890.html

Add Http in front of link, for some reason the site wont leave the link alone

I did it to mine and it runs great...I have had no issues with it at all. I did one thing that I think is a great mod, instead of using the mesh disk I used one of Avast Marines media disks....If you are a DIY fan this is a fun one
 
Thanks everyone for your great comments. I especially like the look of the mod that elmariachi posted. I will try that out this week.

At far as the dual reactor goes... Any recommendations for a stronger pump to keep the GFO tumbling?

Thanks!

Jeff
 
Hey elmariachi, I did the mod you suggested and it works great!! The only hard part is getting the biopellets in the reactor. You have to have the center pipe in first, then load the pellets and hope they don't get under the pipe in the funnel, but I've had it running for 2 days now and it is running better that anything I've seen before. Great Mod!!
As for the manifold idea, I had thought about it, but there is just not much room in my sump, plug my return pump is on the opposite side of where my GFO/Carbon intake is and there would be lots of plumbing. So for now, I have just ordered a Mag 3 and will give that a test.
Thanks for all the ideas!!
 
Glad I could help..I soak my bio pellets in RO water for about 36 hours before placing in my reactor...When I do I just dump the pellets in then when putting the pipe in I just bump all the pellets to the side, no issues with it yet.
 
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