Ca Reactor Cleaning Questions???

[gibson981]

I am running a GEO 612 Ca reactor. I am cleaning it for the first time after almost 8 months of operation. I have it taken apart right now. I have been running CRM media this whole time and I have a new container of media to refill it. There is still about 2 pounds of media left in it. Should I reuse that old media? If so, should it go on the bottom of the fresh media or on top? Also, I am going to recalibrate the pH probe. It is currently sitting in a cup of water to keep it from drying out. Should I clean the probe? If so, should I do that by simply swirling it in vinegar?

[gibson981]

any thoughts before i put this thing back together?

[RokleM]

Gerald, when I clean my 618:

1) I disassemble a decent chunk of it and wipe down with warm water.
2) Dump all the media into something and rinse it throughly. A strainer or "pond basket" works VERY well.
3) New media goes in the bottom, then old media, then my ZeoMag.
4) Fully reassemble.

Technically, adding some bleach/rinse would be best in the reactor to kill any/all algae growth, but I don't go to that extent.