HOB GFO Recator Setup Help

[Pigpen17]

Hello all,
So I have been trying to figure out how to hang my GFO reactor. If I had a sump, it would be a breeze, but I don't, so if I hang it on the back, or in the cabinet, I can't just drop the tubing in the water. How do you guys manage the pump, and the return line? I would love to have the pump out of tank, but I will do what I have to. Anyone running GFO without a sump? I wold love to see your setup.


It's the Two Little Fishes 150, but I am sure the setups are about the same.

[morleyz]

I'm not familiar with this specific reactor, but with the right pump, you could certainly put only the suction and return lines only in the DT and leave the pump and reactor in the stand. There are 2 potential problems: 1) Most reactors with pumps come with a powerhead style pump, which aren't the greatest for "sucking" water and need to submerged to work. 2) If you ever lose your siphon on the "in" line, you'll probably burn out the pump.

[billdogg]

My TLF 150 hung on the back of my 60 cube for about 15 years without a problem. It's actually designed for that. I just hung the pump for it on the shortest piece of tubing I could and still keep it submerged. The output tube was just at water level, but it could easily be above or below the water line. I don't have any pictures or I'd post one to help

[Pigpen17]

I'm not familiar with this specific reactor, but with the right pump, you could certainly put only the suction and return lines only in the DT and leave the pump and reactor in the stand. There are 2 potential problems: 1) Most reactors with pumps come with a powerhead style pump, which aren't the greatest for "sucking" water and need to submerged to work. 2) If you ever lose your siphon on the "in" line, you'll probably burn out the pump.

Yeah, I am a bit worried about that and leaking. I came with a Cobalt MJ-600 powerhead style pump. It is said to be able to be used inside the tank or outside. Still considering that as far as putting it in my stand. That and how do you attach the hoses to your tank?

My TLF 150 hung on the back of my 60 cube for about 15 years without a problem. It's actually designed for that. I just hung the pump for it on the shortest piece of tubing I could and still keep it submerged. The output tube was just at water level, but it could easily be above or below the water line. I don't have any pictures or I'd post one to help

That's where I'm losing it. If I use the hose it came with, the angle is just too much for it as far as reaching the pump on the inside wall of the tank and the out line would stick out to about half the tank. It's just not flexable enough. Do you have the out line just free hanging? I saw that there are some elbows you can buy. I was thinking about something like that, or something I haven't seen.

[billdogg]

You can make the pieces you need easily. I made them with cpvc and vinyl tubing. You may have to soften the tubing in boiling water to get it to fit over the cpvc but when it cools it'll be so snug it'll never leak. Don't make this harder than it needs to be.

[Pigpen17]

You can make the pieces you need easily. I made them with cpvc and vinyl tubing. You may have to soften the tubing in boiling water to get it to fit over the cpvc but when it cools it'll be so snug it'll never leak. Don't make this harder than it needs to be.

I hear ya. Do you have a photo? I'm just looking for some ideas that work before I start trial and error.

[billdogg]

Mine sits in the sump now, and the intake is hooked up to the main return through a diy manifold, but does this help?

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/billdogg_photos/IMG_1510.jpg (http://s289.photobucket.com/user/billdogg_photos/media/IMG_1510.jpg.html)

[Pigpen17]

Mine sits in the sump now, and the intake is hooked up to the main return through a diy manifold, but does this help?

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll227/billdogg_photos/IMG_1510.jpg (http://s289.photobucket.com/user/billdogg_photos/media/IMG_1510.jpg.html)

Oh yeah, that's pretty tight. I could build just about any output device I can think of like that. H.O.B. or under the stand. Thank you.

Any advice on setting up the pump in the stand? or setting it up in tank?

[Pigpen17]

I found this. I think it will work great for a return if I end up being able to set it up in my stand.

http://www.marinedepot.com/U_Tube_with_Directional_Return_Returns_Plumbing_Parts-Plumbing_Parts-FT0001-FIFTRP-vi.html

[Pigpen17]

Or this one.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Lifegard_Aquatics_CustomFlow_Plumbing_Kit_Returns_Plumbing_Parts-Lifegard_Aquatics-RB7131-FIFTRP-vi.html

[Pigpen17]

So I just set it up with the gear supplied. I am going to order the stuff I need to clean it up a bit.

Holy crap it's loud! Is it supposed to be loud? I love having a silent as possible tank. I am not sure I can run this thing without ripping my hair out.

Here's my temporary set up.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/pigpen_/GFO1.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/pigpen_/media/GFO1.jpg.html)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/pigpen_/GFO2.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/pigpen_/media/GFO2.jpg.html)

I guess it would be quieter under the tank. When I open up the valve more, it gets a bit quieter, but then the GFO is too active.