Plumbing TLF Reactors - Waterflow Together or Seperate?

[Spyd]

Originally Posted by Ryan-b

I use the setup on the right with mine. I run carbon first gfo 2nd, I get a decent tumble on the carbon, and a slower flow through the gfo. When I notice everything slowing down I usually know its time to change the carbon. I will also test the phosphate level coming out of the reactor to determine if it's time to change both.

Correct me if I am wrong, but, I don't think you want your carbon to tumble at all. It should be held tight to prevent any tumbling because the particles are known to cause HLLE in Tangs.

I have a dual BRS unit. GFO first, then carbon. The problem is the carbon starts clumping and will slow down the flow. You just need to keep adjusting the valve to increase the flow quite frequently. This would hold true for option 2.

I would think the 1st option may be best. You can control the flow to each reactor then and not have to worry about how one affects the other. Not sure though if one begins clumping and causing some backflow, if it would increase the flow in the other reactor though. I would think it should be fine but just something to look out for.

Ideally, running a pump on each reactor is the best because it would be a better case of setting it and forgetting it. Although, this method costs more and is less energy efficient....

[Ryan-b]

Yes you are right. I should have clarified, by tumble I meant I have enough flow in the carbon reactor to lift it about 3/4 of an inch off the bottom, of the reactor. Where the water "comes through" the carbon there is a slight tumble. On the whole there is very little tumble, and next to no "tumble" in the gfo.

[FishyFishy!]

Yeah I actually have a seperate pump for each one. I just plumbed them together the other day to have less tubing everywhere. I wonder if I should go back to the regular setup, or even plumb them individually from my return pump.

When I plumb my new system, these will be running off a manifold from my return pump, so I will plumb them all seperate I think.

[scherzo]

Originally Posted by FishyFishy!

When I plumb my new system, these will be running off a manifold from my return pump, so I will plumb them all seperate I think.

The more I do research the more I think I may go this route as well. Might just need a bigger return pump.

[subman]

Imho the one on the left is superior as long as you have the ball valves before each reactor. As mentioned above the two medias need different flows through them. I have the brs dual chamber reactors and I think I'm going to swap it out for 2 seperate reactors so I can adjust for optimal flow though each media. I like your idea of one pump split to the 2 reactors though.

[PFoster]

If you want an even cleaner setup bleed some water off of your return pump to feed the reactors individually.

[fishytime]

if you want proper flow to each media with only one pump then a manifold is the only way to do it......carbon and gfo have different optimal flow rates and "daisy chaining" them together doesnt work.......I've always used two separate pumps

[e46er]

i have mine off a manifold from return pump works like a charm

i had issues with clumping using option 2 i vote or option 1