MR16 Tumble Issue

Tonynlo · 10/11/2011, 06:51 AM

I am running the MR16 reactor and am having terrible flow issues. I only get water movement on one side of the reactor, no matter how much I have the water pressure turned up. This happens with a full reactor as well as a lightly stocked reactor. Flow and flow control are not the issue. I have tried using a separate pump to get the flow correct and still only get movement on the right side. There doesn’t appear to be a clog on the left side. I’ve opened and closed the valve to try to kick everything up into the chamber, but only a single side with move. No video, but you can clearly see in the picture that only one side is moving.

ctenophore · 10/11/2011, 07:22 AM

Try removing the media plate altogether, and cutting the downtube square about an inch from the bottom. It works really well for biopellets. If you keep the output tube submerged, you won't have to worry about pellets backsiphoning through the downtube when the pump is off. We are developing a fitting which will prevent this anyway, should be available in a few weeks. See this video for example of pellet flow:
http://youtu.be/azODPwmghqI

Tonynlo · 10/11/2011, 09:58 AM

Why waste money on a fitting? Just sell it with a 1/2" shorter pipe and have the user flip it upside down for bio pellet use? I just did that to mine, and it tumbles much better.

Adam_T · 10/11/2011, 04:54 PM

PMed.

Tonynlo · 10/12/2011, 10:59 AM

This also made it 20 times easier to change out media. Brilliant mod.

zaheda · 10/14/2011, 01:34 AM

I did the mod but the water siphoning back with pelleets into the pump when switched off. How can the problem be sotrted out?

ctenophore · 10/14/2011, 09:58 AM

Make sure to keep the output tube end below the water level. This will prevent air from entering the reactor & tubing loop and allow the pellets to stay in place. Also we are making a special fitting to prevent backsiphoning pellets, I'll post more when it's ready. I have a prototype running right now but it needs a few tweaks first.

neoreef · 11/16/2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctenophore

Make sure to keep the output tube end below the water level. This will prevent air from entering the reactor & tubing loop and allow the pellets to stay in place. Also we are making a special fitting to prevent backsiphoning pellets, I'll post more when it's ready. I have a prototype running right now but it needs a few tweaks first.

Has this modification been incorporated in the MR16 kits?

ctenophore · 11/16/2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neoreef

Has this modification been incorporated in the MR16 kits?

It will be once we finish machining the new nozzle fitting.

slowsoaks · 12/06/2011, 07:33 PM

Curious where you are at with this mod

ctenophore · 12/06/2011, 10:28 PM

I believe Dan has the first few "final" parts done. We tweaked it a bit to get better center tumbling action. They might be ready in a little over a week if all goes perfectly. There might be one last tweak to do though.

neoreef · 12/14/2011, 10:55 AM

Is the fitting available yet? I have a MR16 and would like to know how to obtain this part.

Avast Marine · 12/15/2011, 10:09 AM

getting close......

cec09 · 02/05/2012, 08:55 AM

not sure if this has been finished yet but want to order one. Any word if its been addressed? Love avast. Just sold another brand reactor to buy this one. My sump will be all avast soon

rainmkr07 · 02/06/2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cec09

not sure if this has been finished yet but want to order one. Any word if its been addressed? Love avast. Just sold another brand reactor to buy this one. My sump will be all avast soon

*thumbs up* Same here!

pyton · 02/08/2012, 12:54 AM

I just saw this post and was wondering the same thing until I tried this mod!

Works great, lots of tumbling now.... !

Thanks

ctenophore · 02/22/2012, 01:48 PM

The biopellet nozzles are (finally) ready to ship!
Here is the page on our site:
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...-Mixing-Nozzle

bvoss · 03/18/2012, 03:46 PM

I have used them on an MR5 and something way bigger than an MR16. The nozzle makes a huge improvement in tumble. No more channeling.

10/11/2011, 06:51 AM	#1
Tonynlo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Spencerport, NY Posts: 535	MR16 Tumble Issue I am running the MR16 reactor and am having terrible flow issues. I only get water movement on one side of the reactor, no matter how much I have the water pressure turned up. This happens with a full reactor as well as a lightly stocked reactor. Flow and flow control are not the issue. I have tried using a separate pump to get the flow correct and still only get movement on the right side. There doesn’t appear to be a clog on the left side. I’ve opened and closed the valve to try to kick everything up into the chamber, but only a single side with move. No video, but you can clearly see in the picture that only one side is moving. __________________ Do what you can do, that's all you can do. 125 Gallon in wall system.

10/11/2011, 09:58 AM	#3
Tonynlo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Spencerport, NY Posts: 535	Why waste money on a fitting? Just sell it with a 1/2" shorter pipe and have the user flip it upside down for bio pellet use? I just did that to mine, and it tumbles much better. __________________ Do what you can do, that's all you can do. 125 Gallon in wall system.

10/12/2011, 10:59 AM	#5
Tonynlo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Spencerport, NY Posts: 535	This also made it 20 times easier to change out media. Brilliant mod. __________________ Do what you can do, that's all you can do. 125 Gallon in wall system.

12/15/2011, 10:09 AM	#13
Avast Marine RC Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,446	getting close...... __________________ Dan Don't rush art, you get bad art.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
3w mr16 led bulbs	JDS	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	11/07/2011 06:40 AM
Led MR16 working out lumen	nanoedge	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	0	03/11/2010 12:47 PM
MR16 Low Voltage Lights?	Reef Developer	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	0	07/29/2009 11:51 AM
MR16 Gu5.3 halogen bulbs	Genzman17	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	0	02/14/2009 03:22 PM
mr16 led spot lights	ihavtats29	Do It Yourself	4	12/18/2008 11:13 AM

10/11/2011, 07:22 AM	#2
ctenophore RC Sponsor Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Rockville MD Posts: 707	Try removing the media plate altogether, and cutting the downtube square about an inch from the bottom. It works really well for biopellets. If you keep the output tube submerged, you won't have to worry about pellets backsiphoning through the downtube when the pump is off. We are developing a fitting which will prevent this anyway, should be available in a few weeks. See this video for example of pellet flow: http://youtu.be/azODPwmghqI

10/11/2011, 04:54 PM	#4
Adam_T Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 171	PMed.

10/14/2011, 01:34 AM	#6
zaheda Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 674	I did the mod but the water siphoning back with pelleets into the pump when switched off. How can the problem be sotrted out?

10/14/2011, 09:58 AM	#7
ctenophore RC Sponsor Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Rockville MD Posts: 707	Make sure to keep the output tube end below the water level. This will prevent air from entering the reactor & tubing loop and allow the pellets to stay in place. Also we are making a special fitting to prevent backsiphoning pellets, I'll post more when it's ready. I have a prototype running right now but it needs a few tweaks first.

12/06/2011, 07:33 PM	#10
slowsoaks Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: ocean grove n.j. Posts: 103	Curious where you are at with this mod

12/06/2011, 10:28 PM	#11
ctenophore RC Sponsor Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Rockville MD Posts: 707	I believe Dan has the first few "final" parts done. We tweaked it a bit to get better center tumbling action. They might be ready in a little over a week if all goes perfectly. There might be one last tweak to do though.

12/14/2011, 10:55 AM	#12
neoreef Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 35	Is the fitting available yet? I have a MR16 and would like to know how to obtain this part.

02/05/2012, 08:55 AM	#14
cec09 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: columbus ohio Posts: 413	not sure if this has been finished yet but want to order one. Any word if its been addressed? Love avast. Just sold another brand reactor to buy this one. My sump will be all avast soon

02/08/2012, 12:54 AM	#16
pyton Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 380	I just saw this post and was wondering the same thing until I tried this mod! Works great, lots of tumbling now.... ! Thanks

02/22/2012, 01:48 PM	#17
ctenophore RC Sponsor Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Rockville MD Posts: 707	The biopellet nozzles are (finally) ready to ship! Here is the page on our site: http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...-Mixing-Nozzle

03/18/2012, 03:46 PM	#18
bvoss Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 795	I have used them on an MR5 and something way bigger than an MR16. The nozzle makes a huge improvement in tumble. No more channeling.