Korallin reactor clogging

[youngfish]

I used the denitrator 1502 (similar to the calcium reactor but with a bit different tubing) for three months. Now the effluent rate have dropped dramatically.

After the initial phase of break in, I have put the effluent output to max which does its job. My nitrates have dropped to zero. But now the reactor seems to be clogged somewhere. The effluent output is dripping (instead of continuous flow). I am using an aqua lifter pump (as recommended) as input. The pump seems to work fine.

I have also heard Korallin calcium reactor has clogging issues. Does anyone have any experience with Korallin denitrator OR calcium reactor and know about the clogging issue? I dont know which part of the reactor has clogged.
I try to turn over the reactor a few times, the effluent rate seems to recover a bit (not sure I reduced the clogging in tube or reactor, it just improves). But after 3 days, it still drops to dripping state.

Any suggestions to avoid such clogging? If the effluent rate drops too low, the reactor may produce H2S which will ruin the tank. I don't want to tweak the reactor every a few days.

 

[duke62]

Probably something caught in one of the tubes. I use a compressor and blow my lines out every once in awhile. I once had a bristle worm stuck in one of the lines lol

 

[edd]

i use a korallin cal reactor, with aqua lifter pump. mine slows down after a bit of use. i found that the air tubing that supplies the pump and reactor and pump itself clog with algae. i clean everything with with bleach and water and works fine again. i'm going to try black tubing.