My EcoBak journey (struggle)

[kenfuzed]

Thanks Jon, after changing the mesh in the bottom of the cylinder the media is tumbling but only up one side. The best I can describe this it looks like the pellets are rolling upward about 5" and then return back toward the bottom, but one side is not moving. There is also a 2" mass of pellets bunched up toward the top above all the tumbling. I think I either need a stronger pump than the mj1200 or a different reactor. My old WM reactor probably isn't a good candidate since it has to sit in water(pump underneath) and I wouldn't have a way to get the effluent back to the skimmer chamber.

I'm resisting the urge to make too many changes. I am riding this out in hopes that eventually the nutrients will begin to drop.

 

[Bigevill1]

I had the same problem with the tumbling and thats why I went up to a bigger pump.

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

im using a MJ1200 and I had to restrict the flow because it was too much.

 

[milkman]

I plumbed my AVAST reactor directly into my return manifold with a ball valve. I placed the drain directly over my intake volute on my Octo Exteme 200. Running about 100 gph through the reactor. The pellets are tumbling evenly around the entire reactor area. I did soak the pellets for 24 hrs in RO before I loaded the reactor. I still had some floaters after the first day. I disconnected the reactor and remixed the pellets and since then, they have all stayed submerged and rolling evenly. These pictures are before I remixed the pellets as there are no "floaters" anymore. Only stated this up on Aug 1, so I am just five days into the seeding process. So far, I have only noticed that the skimmer is producing about double the skim mate that it was previously. No cloudy water, crystal clear.

 

[Jon Warner]

I plumbed my AVAST reactor directly into my return manifold with a ball valve. I placed the drain directly over my intake volute on my Octo Exteme 200. Running about 100 gph through the reactor. The pellets are tumbling evenly around the entire reactor area. I did soak the pellets for 24 hrs in RO before I loaded the reactor. I still had some floaters after the first day. I disconnected the reactor and remixed the pellets and since then, they have all stayed submerged and rolling evenly. These pictures are before I remixed the pellets as there are no "floaters" anymore. Only stated this up on Aug 1, so I am just five days into the seeding process. So far, I have only noticed that the skimmer is producing about double the skim mate that it was previously. No cloudy water, crystal clear.

that reactor looks great...

 

[Ricordea]

Jon Warner Marine,
Ok been running now about 2 months now.But what I'm seeing in the pellets seem to be sticking together more now.I would think I'm seeing is the bacteria sticking to the pellets more now.I've really kick up the flow a lot more now,where they are really boiling in the reactor really good now.I would think the more they come in contact with one another,more of the bacteria would be removed from the pellets.And get it to the skimmer where can be skimmed out.I started out slowly.Being it's been running for awhile now,figure no harm being done.Would like to hear your input as for folks been running the pellets for awhile now.I'm sure they are seeing and getting the same thing I SEE.Because when I ran Zeovit,had to pump the rocks a few times a day.Just to keep the stones clean.But this is my thoughts here,as for sticky pellets goes.Like to hear for long term methods.
Curt

 

[Jon Warner]

hello,

I know it sounds strange... but sometimes the MORE flow the stickier they get because the higher flow strips the pellets generating MORE bacterial growth. You don't want a strong boil... just a gentle tumble. If there are some areas that tend to clump it's OK. Because the areas that clump tend to break apart every few minutes if you watch the reactor. More flow is DEFINITELY not better with ecoBAK.

 

[Jon Warner]

Update!

We are now shipping RETAIL PACKAGED ecoBAK so it is no longer available DIRECT from Warner Marine. Please contact your LFS/e-tailer for availability.

Please let me know what you think of the packaging, we're very excited about the new look. The graphics designer REALLY hit it out of the park...

 

[Jeremy R.]

The graphic is colorful and interesting while the label itself is clean in structure. Well done packaging design. Did you guys see what the label would look like with a clear container?

 

[Jon Warner]

The graphic is colorful and interesting while the label itself is clean in structure. Well done packaging design. Did you guys see what the label would look like with a clear container?

Thanks!! A clear PET jar would probably look fantastic... I'll bring in some sample jars and take a look.

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

looks good Jon!

 

[Ricordea]

Thanks Jon for the input here as for flow/sticky pellets.
The new containers look GREAT! A real eye catcher for sure.

 

[Hammmerhead]

I have a Nextreef MR1 Media reactor and tried the recommended 275 GPH pump and it wouldnt keep 750 ml of the pellets fluid at all. They would moves around a little, but some stayed stationary. I pulled out an old RIO 2100 and changed my fittings to 1/2". Now the pellets stay fluid and I dont have to worry about dirty sponges slowing the flow.

 

[Genetics]

kenfuzed, have you thought about reducing the amount of pellets within the reactor to aid in the tumbling?

On the RTN, it sounds like there were are many variables that could have changed. When did you notice the spike in nitrates and phosphates? When did you stop running GFO? Did you have a drastic change in dkH at any point in the past month, most notably before the first RTN?

 

[Paul_N]

I got a used Vertex zeo reactor from a fellow reefer. I really think these are the best option for the pellets. The first thing is you can pump the cylinder so if the entire mass of pellets is not getting the flow you like or to make sure nothing clumps or clogs down the road then pump it a few times and it will get them all tumbling. The second thing is when you want to add more pellets you just need to lift the cylinder out to add more and not the whole reactor. Hell you don't even have to cut the flow to the pump. The only thing you must change is adding the smaller mesh to the top and bottom plates of the cylinder or else the pellets fit through the holes. I used this stuff from the craft store and it works great:

 

[swissgaurd]

I plumbed my AVAST reactor directly into my return manifold with a ball valve. I placed the drain directly over my intake volute on my Octo Exteme 200. Running about 100 gph through the reactor. The pellets are tumbling evenly around the entire reactor area. I did soak the pellets for 24 hrs in RO before I loaded the reactor. I still had some floaters after the first day. I disconnected the reactor and remixed the pellets and since then, they have all stayed submerged and rolling evenly. These pictures are before I remixed the pellets as there are no "floaters" anymore. Only stated this up on Aug 1, so I am just five days into the seeding process. So far, I have only noticed that the skimmer is producing about double the skim mate that it was previously. No cloudy water, crystal clear.

i have the same reactor,i have a question about the pvc pipe,does the pipe go all the way down to the base or is it higher,as im getting one side that is moving less.

vic

 

[milkman]

The end of the pipe that is cut at an angle goes down. The first plate is glued right above the angle. The pipes are cut to length so the when assembled, the end of the angle is just above the base about 1/4". Even though the angle points in one direction, I get flow all the way around the bottom plate.

I tied the 1/2" PVC piping into my return manifold with a 1/2" ball valve and the 1 liter of pellets move freely throughout the reactor.

 

[swissgaurd]

The end of the pipe that is cut at an angle goes down. The first plate is glued right above the angle. The pipes are cut to length so the when assembled, the end of the angle is just above the base about 1/4". Even though the angle points in one direction, I get flow all the way around the bottom plate.

I tied the 1/2" PVC piping into my return manifold with a 1/2" ball valve and the 1 liter of pellets move freely throughout the reactor.

thanks.
im going to try that as i have the angle resting on the bottom plate
ill raise it 1/4" and see what happens

vic

 

[milkman]

Mine was cut that way. It would not reach to the bottom if you fully seated the top of the tube in the top flange of the reactor.

 

[swissgaurd]

Mine was cut that way. It would not reach to the bottom if you fully seated the top of the tube in the top flange of the reactor.

i raised the stem off the bottom 1/4" that helped.
i then opened the flow till all the pellets were moving then left it at that

thanks

vic