Need Advice with my Yugang Reactor

[WesternNC]

Hello. I’m new to this forum (forums in general) I’m looking for some advice for an issue I’m having with my newly established UNS120P tank. I have a small stainless Yugang filter, purchased through Aqua Rocks. It’s looked up to an Oase BioMaster 2 Thermo 850 with one quick disconnect on the inflow tube. My issue is, with my CO2 running it doesn’t affect my drop checker or Ph. It seems to do nothing. My filter expels air fairly often. I have to tilt it regularly. Could this be flooding the reactor chamber and negating the CO2? Is there a fix for the air getting into my filter? I checked the CO2 line line into the reactor and it’s not leaking. I removed the filter to check the seals and they looked perfect. I also moved the inflow/outflow for the reactor down to increase the gas pocket. What do you think? Maybe my CO2 tank isn’t filled with CO2 . Just fyi, I accidentally gassed my fish during a recent move and I do not ever want that to happen again. I really want this reactor to work.

 

[techman81]

While the original Biomaster models had reports of air pockets routinely building up, it really shouldn't be a problem for version 2 models. I'd focus on that issue first.
#1: After initial start up, it's a good practice over the next 24 hours to rock the filter front-to-back and side-to-side occasionally to clear out early gas pockets.
#2: You say you checked the gaskets, but it might be a good idea to invest in some silicone lubricant. Spread some on all the gaskets, the pump head, prefilter, heater, and in/out port.

As for the Yugang, did you evacuate all air in the chamber before starting the first time? Check out this Youtube video by fellow Scapecrunch member @Jeff Miotke :

 

[WesternNC]

Thanks. I’ll try the silicone lube for the gaskets. I was told that I didn’t need to evacuate the air in the reactor…? Should I unbolt it and just tilt it upright after the CO2 turns off?

 

[Pepere]

was told that I didn’t need to evacuate the air in the reactor…?

You really shouldnt. Running the reactor in overflow mode where gas injection into it causes bubble to escape outlet should purge out ambient air quickly enough.

Of course if filter is electing air into chamber that is diluting the gas, and makes it hard to know when your coW gas flow is enough to overflow…

 

[WesternNC]

I appreciate the help. I'll try the silicone grease on the filter seals today. Fingers crossed. I've never had this issue with my past external filters.

 

[Jeff Miotke]

I put my reactor on the outflow of the filter. Hopefully that helps?

 

[WesternNC]

Hi Jeff
I've watched your vids multiple times for clues and advice. It seems that we're working with similar setups. What do you mean by outflow of the filter? I have my reactor connected to the filters outflow tubing. Did your silicone lubricating of the Oase filter solve the air purge issue 100%?

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I hate to say this because it might seem unhelpful, but this is exactly one of the reasons I recommend a clear/translucent horizontal reactor. Much easier to see and diagnose what's going on during initial setup!

 

[Jeff Miotke]

Im curious what the co2 injection rate looks like? It seems quite impossible to not see any change in ph. What about things like co2 check?

 

[WesternNC]

I lubed all of the gaskets in my filter, removed a bit of Matrix from each filter basket (for increased flow) and it still draws in air. I'm going to call Oase and ask their advice. I'm stumped. I'm guessing the oxygen this is allowing in my reactor is out competing the CO2 despite doubling my bubble count.....? Drop checkers should work the same regardless of your style of CO2 injection, correct? Could Seriyu stone or my substrate mess with my PH readings? My PH remains unchanged. I've also got the worst bacterial bloom I've ever experienced in a start up. It's painful took look at. Any advice beyond patience for this one?

 

[WesternNC]

I also got a secondary CO2 tank in case my current one is filled with o2!

 

[techman81]

I assume the filter is new? I would try running it direct without any of the co2 gear for a day and see if it draws in air, but yeah contact Oase. I had good support from them when plastic broke on my in/out port of my version 1 600. They immediately sent me a new part.

 

[Count Krunk]

So you're getting air consistently drawn into your oase filter?

And then this air is getting consistently pushed into your yugang reactor , perhaps pushing your co2 out and affecting your co2 injection into the water.

Definitely reach out to oase and report back what they say.

Your tank surface area is 33,903.9 mm and the yugang you have is 37,740 mm THEREFORE you SHOULD definitely achieve a 1.5 ph drop.

 

[Yugang]

Once per week, after maintenance, air is blown into my reactor. No problem, it purges itself.
If air bubbles are blown in continuously, the reactor will not work as intended.