O.C.'s Pellet questions and answers!

[Ian]

For those of you using the vertex reactor what flow rate are you using? I think I need to move mine up some.

[pterfloth]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

I don't understand why people are glueing the TLF reactor to get it working properly. I have two TLF reactors connected together on my 90 Gal, they are driven by a MJ1200 full open and everything tumbles nicely. All I did to change the reactors was to remove the foam and replace it with plastic canvas from the craft store. I just cut it the same diameter as the plate with a small hole in the center so it slides over the inner tube. The holes in the plastic canvas allow for good flow and are small enough that the pellets won't pass through. I did the exact same thing on the Vertex I am using on my 180 Gal and it works fine.

Which model TLF reactor are you using?

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

I don't understand why people are glueing the TLF reactor to get it working properly. I have two TLF reactors connected together on my 90 Gal, they are driven by a MJ1200 full open and everything tumbles nicely. All I did to change the reactors was to remove the foam and replace it with plastic canvas from the craft store. I just cut it the same diameter as the plate with a small hole in the center so it slides over the inner tube. The holes in the plastic canvas allow for good flow and are small enough that the pellets won't pass through. I did the exact same thing on the Vertex I am using on my 180 Gal and it works fine.

And I can't understand how you get it to work without glueing (actually I did'nt glue mine I just let it hang. I did the plastic canvas thing too and a MJ1200 and the pellets aren't doing a damned thing

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by blueyota

A picture is worth a thousand words!! but this is all glued together now and then i just slide this in the reactor full of pellets works great for me ...i just couldnt get it to churn before the way it is now ....
Hope this helps ......

This is a FANTASTIC mod for bio-pellets. I had issues with tumbling and I did exactly as pictured and wow! My pellets are churning amazingly. I am using a MaxiJet 1200 full open.

For those who can't afford or won't spend on the higher end reactors this will help you out!

Thanks for posting this!

[Lampshade]

I love this mod, i have it on my TLF 550 and it's working great with a MJ1200. I have to remove the little inlet pipe to be able to slide the unit out, but rarely have to get in there so no biggy.

I used to have mesh across the top part, and it would get cloged in mulm frequntly and reduce flow. I've taken it off, and get a couple beads escaping on a startup now, but don't have to start it as often, so it's worth it.

As for output...
I put my output into my refugium. I have a THICK pod population living off the bacteria, and my algae eats up the N+P. The algae also re-oxygenates the water. I couldn't see any reason why this would be a bad idea. Any reason why running through the skimmer would be better?