Do we ever need to clean CO2 reactor such as UP ??

[peterkoh]

Hi folks,

My CO2 reactor (those with 3 bio balls) are looking really dirty inside (but the balls can still spin when the co2 runs out) ... do we need to clean them ? If so, how often do you do it ?

Thks.

[loupgarou]

when you feel like it...


heh
000
or be like me: hide it behind some big plant...out of sight, out of mind

[DEA]

when they're really gunked up the flow of water will be pathetic
just keep an eye on it
when you feel it's noticeably much slower it's time to clean it
i find using an overnight soak in bleach followed by a thorough cleaning is good enough

[wks]

If the ball is not spinning, does that mean we have to clean the reactor?

[sherchoo]

Frankly speaking the spinning balls doesn't do much for diffusing the co2. Cleaning of the reactor is not necessary. To me cleaning would make it less of eyesore...

[DEA]

when you look at the balls when they're spinning, you'll see co2 trapped among them
they help to dissolve it faster imo
so i would say yes, clean them