Help
So I was interested to note the arrival of some new zeolith reactors in the shops which come with an automated cleaning mechanism – essentially a very hefty air pump that blasts loads of air through the stones to agitate them. This seems like a simple enough idea to plagiarise so I assembled: a non-automated zeolith reactor; a drill, airline connector; epoxy adhesive; airline tubing; and a BIG air pump. Be warned: this mod will void any warranty you may have on your reactor.
Step 1: Drill a hole in the empty reactor below the level of the stones and epoxy in an airline connector and allow to set… (N.B. My reactors are going to be run outside of a sump so I need to create a water-tight connection here. If yours are run in-sump then you only need to drill a hole big enough for the airline to pass through – there is no need to epoxy in a connector).
Step 2: Connect to airline and air-pump… (N.B. Remember to use a one-way valve if your air pump is positioned below water level).
Step 3: Houston, we have liftoff! This really is the world’s simplest upgrade!
The air pump I’ve used is a Halia compressor that’s rated at 145 litres of air per minute, so divided between the four reactors that’s around 36 litres a minute each, or 2,175 litres an hour! The air pump is switched on and off by a GHL Profilux controller and is set to blast the zeoliths twice a day (at 8am and 8pm) for 5 mins at a time.
It's a lot gentler effect than some mods I've seen where people use water pumps. With this the stones hardly move but you do see mulm coming off into the water so it seems to be working ok. I now agitate manually just once a week and the side effects are already beginning to wear off…
Keith
