GFO Clumping Together in BRS Reactor

[Bubblebass]

Got some GHA so I bought the 2 stage BRS reactor. It worked and the GHA is gone, phosphates super low. Now onto the issue of the reactor......

I tumble the top 1" just a little so the surface moves. Within a week of changing the GFO (2 cups at a time which almost fills up the reactor in a 130g total volume system) the whole 2 cups clumps together and lifts to the top of the reactor.

My other frustration with this system is that I bought the recommended pump with it (MJ1200). This is so overkill, that I can barely crack the pump open. And this is while I'm about maxing out the reactors with media.......

Do I need to tumble more? Suggestions?

 

[James G]

From my experience, I have the same equipment, you have to much GFO in the reactor. Cut it in half and try the same thing, just tumble the top

 

[Salty1962]

Yes, the top of the gfo should look fluid, like water waves moving around. That's enough to tumble but not crush and keeps it from clumping up. Be careful about how much you use, you can strip your tank very fast with gfo, start small and work up;)