Pump size for TLF reactors with GAC and NP biopellets?

[Coleus]

Originally Posted by jphong

So I should have pellets in the first chamber full blast then slow it down with a valve to the second chamber with the carbon?

How is yours set up?

I have one pump 1200 for each reactor because now i am using 2x Deltec FR-509 Fluidized Reactor, but i did have TLF 150 before and was also use 900 on carbon and 1200 on pellets (was just too small for size of my tank and leaking problem)

Also when i replace carbon or fill up pellets on each reactor, i want to able turn them off separately.

[The Grizz]

I am using a Maxi Jet MJ1800 on my TLF 150 and it works perfect. I had 2 -150s being ran by this pump without issues. Carbon should not tumble at all it defeats the purpose. I am switching to a NextReef MR1 and hope this pump will work as well as it does on the 150.

[jphong]

Thanks guys, a lot of good options and setups out there. Its going to take me some time to decide whats going to be best for my setup.

[Lampshade]

I was using a MJ1200, was working great, but wanted to cut down the number of pumps i had in the system, so I Tee'd off my return pump. My return is a dart gold, but i have low pressure since i'm dumping back to my sump for flow control. I had WAY more flow comming from my MJ1200. I don't think it's too little now, but more would be better, might go back.

As for people with issues of the tumbleing, make sure you get a mesh mod or sometihng for the reactor. the filter stuff that comes in there doesn't allow enough flow. With my MJ1200 i had too much flow and had to reduce it so the pellets would stop getting stuck in the top. You also need to clear out the stuck pellets every once in awhile, you should be getting LOTS of flow then.

[rzadun]

I had trouble with the pellets. They would tumble well in my zeo reactor, but the filter material I used to stop pellets from escaping would clog with mulm. I switched to a plastic mesh used for needle point that I got at a hobby shop for 98 cents a sheet and cut it to size. No more problems with mulm.

[jphong]

Originally Posted by rzadun

I had trouble with the pellets. They would tumble well in my zeo reactor, but the filter material I used to stop pellets from escaping would clog with mulm. I switched to a plastic mesh used for needle point that I got at a hobby shop for 98 cents a sheet and cut it to size. No more problems with mulm.

I read that somewhere as well. Hopefully Michaels will have something similar.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by jphong

I read that somewhere as well. Hopefully Michaels will have something similar.

Ask Ken at BW where he gets the screen for the NextReef MR1.

[blacknife]

Originally Posted by jphong

I read that somewhere as well. Hopefully Michaels will have something similar.

Thats where i got mine 98 cents per sheet.


I have 2 tlf reactors as well. I had them on separate pumps for a while, still do.
when it was just carbon and gfo the 1200 was just barely adequate. tee'd with ball valve on each side to control.

Now I use a 400 for the carbon. 1200 was not enough flow for the pellets so I took a line off my return.