Phosban disappearing from my reactor

[Mattl22]

Hi 2 days ago I replaced my phosban in my reactor I use two sponges on the top part of the reactor.

today a lot more then half the phosban is gone I'm assuming it's in my carbon reactor because I have my phos reactor hooked up to my carbon reactor.
Is the flow set too high when I first looked at it all the phos seemed to be tumbling nicely ? I am pissed because I'm trying to beat hair alage and this stuff is very expensive.

Looking for some help
Thanks
Matt

 

[jaa1456]

You could have the flow to high and it is just turning into dust from tumbling to much

 

[prattreef]

Sounds like the flow is too high. By "tumbling nicely" do mean fully tumbling throughout the chamber? The flow should be set so that only the very top layer of the media "boils" gently.

 

[Imbarrie]

You are supposed to use a piece of foam on the bottom and on the top.

If you are losing the GFO then your flow may be too high.
Did you install a valve just before the water goes into the reactor?
Turn this valve down until the media dances on the surface. If it is getting too much agitation then it will crumble itself into dust and leave the reactor causing problems downstream.
Also, do not install the value on the output of the reactor or you will over pressurize the reactor and it will leak.

 

[MIKE NY]

x4 ..set to high causing the granuals to grind together into pieces small enough to by pass the sponges into the carbon reactor as well the tank. As mentioned a slow "boiling"

 

[Mattl22]

That's what's happening because my filter sock and skimmer are the color of phosban
I'm gonna first switch the reactors so the carbon is first the if the flow is still high I'll lower it the reactors r being run on a adjustable powerhead
Should I do a wc and should I replace the phosban that has crumbled away?

 

[ming]

That's what's happening because my filter sock and skimmer are the color of phosban
I'm gonna first switch the reactors so the carbon is first the if the flow is still high I'll lower it the reactors r being run on a adjustable powerhead
Should I do a wc and should I replace the phosban that has crumbled away?

switching the order doesn't have any impact. You really should have the carbon and phosban on seperate adjustable pumps because the phosban needs to have much lower flow then carbon. only the top section of the phosban should be "boiling", where the rest of the phosban should barely be moving. If it is, then its too much flow.

 

[jaa1456]

That's what's happening because my filter sock and skimmer are the color of phosban
I'm gonna first switch the reactors so the carbon is first the if the flow is still high I'll lower it the reactors r being run on a adjustable powerhead
Should I do a wc and should I replace the phosban that has crumbled away?

You can run them together that is fine, but the Carbon should always be first and the phosban second. This allows you to increase the flow as the carbon becomes used up and it will slow the water flow. And you can watch the phosban in the second chamber to adjust the flow.