Rex Grigg style reactor not working

[milesm]

Originally Posted by HD Blazingwolf

Not neccessarily. Bubbles rise if the return is at the bottom what bubbles are making it through have to go all the way to the surface to be realesed. Gives more time to dissolve.

Again its about flow in the tank and how much u put through. A needle valve wide open at 5psi doesnt let nearly as much co2 through as a needlve valve halfwayway open at 10 psi

Also check ur dc solution and make sure its 4dkh. If its anything higher its hard to get out of blue

i interpreted that his return line from his sump is feeding his rex reactor from the bottom of the reactor, and exiting out the top of the reactor and into the tank. not sure where he injects co2, but flow going from bottom to top would surely facilitate larger co2 bubbles entering the tank, rising immediately and not dissolving adequately to turn his dc green. i've never seen a rex reactor or any other external reactor where the water flow goes from the botttom to the top. blaze, can you please elaborate?

[HD Blazingwolf]

I was assuming the return IN the tank is at the bottom. in which case if bubbles are escaping. they are going to rise to the surface. the further up they have to go. the more time they have to dissolve Vs the return being at the top of the tank

[isellcars]

My reactor I have the water going in the bottom and out the top. The water returns in the tank at the top and the water flow is directed downwards.

[HD Blazingwolf]

Originally Posted by isellcars

My reactor I have the water going in the bottom and out the top. The water returns in the tank at the top and the water flow is directed downwards.

u will definitely want to reverse the flow

[isellcars]

I have reversed the flow in the reactor. Now it's just a waiting game.

[isellcars]

The DC is now green and I do have tons more very tiny co2 bubbles all over the tank. I'm really looking forward to the results over the next few weeks.

[milesm]

Originally Posted by HD Blazingwolf

u will definitely want to reverse the flow

that's why i said, "therein lies your problem".

[milesm]

Originally Posted by isellcars

The DC is now green and I do have tons more very tiny co2 bubbles all over the tank. I'm really looking forward to the results over the next few weeks.

if you don't mind all the bubbles in your tank why not just use a diffuser? no reduction in flow associated with the reactor's plumbing to worry about, less chance for leaks, etc.

[isellcars]

I don't want any equipment in my tank. That is why I bought a tank that has a sump tank as well. Plus my pump pushes about 900 gph and I figured that with the reactor it might be down to 800. So there really is still great water flow in the tank with the reactor.

[HD Blazingwolf]

do u seal the sump at all?

[isellcars]

Not at all. It would be to difficult to seal it with everything in it.

[stevenjohn21]

How do i feel like im Hi Jacking the thread when its mine originally ! Glad to see you are getting your problem sorted LOL

[HD Blazingwolf]

that is one reason why it takes more effort to get ur DC to turn green!!!!
unless ur sump as no surface movement

[isellcars]

Originally Posted by TheFoleys

To take the a step further. The flow should be moving downwardly through the reactor. The air bubbles want to rise to the top. As the water flows down the turbulent friction pulls the bubbles down. The counter flow of bubbles wanting to rise but being dragged down causes them to dissolve.

I have my new reactor built and its up and running. The reactor stands about 20". I still have huge co2 bubbles coming out the return. Could this be that I am pushing too much water through it to fast. My return pump is rated at 900 gph....if I slowed it down would this make a difference? Or I thought about putting a Y clamp and have one side go to the reactor and the other just go straight to return. Of course I would have to have another Y clamp on other side of reactor to join it back up to go into a single return. Any thoughts?

[Kathyy]

My Rio 2500 is probably pushing about 500gph with all the head pressure and that is a bit too much for the 20" Cerges I am using so I get a few tiny bubbles. I would split the return and join it after the reactor. Thinking you want as much flow through the reactor as possible so a ball or gate valve on the new line that you close until you start getting bubbles then back off a little so more water goes through the new line. I think that is how I would do it if those bubbles bothered me.