phosban reactor flow question...

[peckhead]

im using a maxijet 600 and wondering how much should i have the ball valve open or closed? right now it is in the middle i would say and only 1" of the phosban is getting moved around.
what should the phosban in the chamber be doing?
and is it normal that my skimmer isnt working?

 

[trippkid]

That sounds pretty good, you don't want to fluidize it too much, so it says. I stopped using the one I have because it would clog up too fast. I use something different now for the PO4. Not sure about the skimmer problem, need some more info on that maybe. Give it a little time if you can, is it still making bubbles in the chamber(not the collection cup)?
Matt

 

[peckhead]

yes, its still making bubbles but VERY low. i have a reef devil deluxe and it is very sensitive. should the phos be moving around alot of pretty much be sitting on the bottom?

 

[trippkid]

Pretty much just sitting there, very little flow through the unit. That was part of my issue with running it, it would clog(the cheap little filters they give you), and the media itself, becomes almost brick like after awhile. I just use a product called Blue Vet Phosphate control, it is a liquid that you put in with a medicine dropper. Works very well for me. I would give the skimmer some time, it may just be reacting to the newness of the reactor or possibly from oils from your skin

.
Matt

 

[floridabob]

hi
not to hi-jack this thread but can you run
different media in reactor with the phos-ban
like charcoal or nitrate sponge at the same time?
or run opposite weeks /months separately
thanks florida bob

 

[trippkid]

Florida Bob, Yes, you can run different stuff in the reactors, if mixing medias make sure the flow requirements are similar, or just use more than one reactor if need be.
Matt

 

[trippkid]

Most carbons do contain small amts of PO4, I probably wouldn't mix them together in the reactor, maybe run opposite or in another one. They do have some different products that act like carbon without the PO4 and don't impact trace elements as much. I use Purigen from Seachem, Renew is a decent one too. Chemi-pure works well also.
Matt

 

[floridabob]

ok thanks trippkid
thanks for your quick relpy i have cheto for nitrates in fuge but it
keeps dying off after a month or two. also got new fuge light
so maybe that will help.if not i figured i would try
nitrate media in reactor
florida bob

 

[trippkid]

I have never had much luck with any of the nitrate reducers, haven't tried the sulfur method, but that is an entirely different system. Very good husbandry has been the only way I can keep them below 10ppm. The only product I havent tried in the past has been the stuff from Pura, I think it is just called Nitrate lock.
Matt

 

[floridabob]

ok ill google it
ps. my trates or so high because of hi bio load (40 ppm)
15 + fish in a 75 -just live rock and seaclone skimmer
thanks
bob

 

[trippkid]

Sorry for the thread steal Peckhead, still here to help if you need.
Matt