I made it better: BioPellet BRS reactor mod!

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by exactlyobp, Aug 16, 2011.

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  1. exactlyobp

    exactlyobp Giant Squid

    Joined:
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    Cedar City UT
    When I got BioPellets with a reactor from BRS, I could never get it right. I was using MaxiJet Utility pump 1100 (294gph), they say it should be enough but over night, there was no tumbling at all!! and it was not even a cup of pellets!!! Then I saw this mod by Sacul1573 and got inspired, decided to mod my reactor. Thanks Sacul, you the man!!!!

    By doing this, the canister can hold much more pellets since I dont use the inner container any more and less likely to lose flow due to the clog.

    Here is the quick 30 sec vid. of being leak tested.
    It's holding a cup (~240ml?) of pellets.
    [​IMG]


    Ok, I try to document this with pics as much as I can.

    This is what you need:
    [​IMG]
    From left
    - PVC mesh disk ($0.79 at Micheal's)
    - PVC 3/4 about 10" (2 feet @ $1.50 at Home depot)
    - Funnel ($1 at Walmart)
    - PVC 3/4 Cap ($0.36 at HD)
    - O ring (had to buy 10 only need one $2.50)
    - zip ties (you have them, no?)
    and other tools and a power drill.

    First of all, you are gonna have to heat up the tip of the 3/4" PVC pipe. The reactor diameter is not standard, you have to squeeze it in. Just carefully use the torch until the tip becomes soft and push/squeeze over the inlet inside of the reactor lid.
    [​IMG]
    It heats up faster than you think. I used the camping stove we have.

    Make a donut out of the mesh disc. Outer diameter is about 3.5" and the inner dia. is a tad less than 1".
    [​IMG]

    And this. Used some zipties so the mesh stays in place.
    [​IMG]

    Cut and trim the funnel so it would fit inside of the reactor. Like this:
    [​IMG]
    Cut it bigger first and trim it little by little so it fits nice and snugly.
    [​IMG]

    Drill a bunch of outlet holes including the very bottom of the 3/4" cap. Make sure the holes are BIGGER than the pellets, so they won't clog the water outlet. Place an O ring in the lid, fill up the canister with the pellets, put he lid and you're good to go!
    [​IMG]


    I didnt use any glue or pvc cement so whenever I have to, I can take it apart completely.

    Oh almost forgot the most important thing!! You have to connect the 1/2" hose opposite way since the water flow is REVERSED! Connect the pump on the "OUT" side and the water comes out from the "IN" side.

    It is so efficient, you wont need 300gph to run this modded reactor :)

    Enjoy!
     
    3 people like this.
  2. Click Here!

  3. dpruitt7450

    dpruitt7450 Bubble Tip Anemone

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  4. exactlyobp

    exactlyobp Giant Squid

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    Thanks! The original one is for a way smaller tank, now that I think about it.
     
  5. Sacul1573

    Sacul1573 Millepora

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    Hey... that looks familiar! Very nice job, and great job documenting the build (something I didn't think about until after). K+ to ya!
     
    1 person likes this.
  6. dpruitt7450

    dpruitt7450 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    St.Pete FL
    btw love the sti profile pic! :)
     
  7. libog2fish

    libog2fish Fire Shrimp

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    nice!
    you should post a a short video!
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. exactlyobp

    exactlyobp Giant Squid

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    There is a video clip being leak tested in the first post, but I will try to shoot some more tonight. :)
     
  10. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Very good job
     
  11. lynnmw1208

    lynnmw1208 Skunk Shrimp

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    Location:
    Brunswick, OH
    since the flow is reversed, this couldn't work with the dual reactor could it? I was really considering putting biopellets in instead of GFO and this would be the most cost effective.
     
  12. xmetalfan99

    xmetalfan99 Giant Squid

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    I have one issue with this. If the pump loses power for any reason you will get a back siphon and with the holes being larger than the pellets, the pellets will be sucked out of the reactor.