ISTA CO2 reactor's fin intermittent stoppage

**wenwei** · 17th Feb 2009, 22:14

Hi all,

I'm currently using ISTA MAX MIX CO2 REACTOR.

It have been a few months and I did not was it before. But few days ago, i notice that the lower blade doesn't spin as well and have intermittent stoppage.

I tried opening but cant really dismantle the top part. Didn't wan to force it apart. Anyone have the same problems(i know alot of people do have this problem after doing a search

) or know how to solve it?

NeEd some advicesssssss

Thanks in advance...

**torque6** · 17th Feb 2009, 22:17

Its a known problem for the minmax Ista co2 reactor which is why i didnt plan to get the mini ISTA reactor with the same design when OTF actually had/have them.

**ghim** · 18th Feb 2009, 00:48

Too much dirt and brown algae collected. You can use some bleach and soaked it for a while. I filled it up with ADA Superge mixed with water. And left it there for a few hours. Afterwhich, shake and wash it through running water. Pretty clean after that.

The bottom part can be opened.

**wenwei** · 18th Feb 2009, 10:20

Originally Posted by torque6

Its a known problem for the minmax Ista co2 reactor which is why i didnt plan to get the mini ISTA reactor with the same design when OTF actually had/have them.

Yup, u are right man. But i only knew about it after i bought. So since its alreading bought, decided to give it a try. haha..

**wenwei** · 18th Feb 2009, 10:27

Originally Posted by ghim

Too much dirt and brown algae collected. You can use some bleach and soaked it for a while. I filled it up with ADA Superge mixed with water. And left it there for a few hours. Afterwhich, shake and wash it through running water. Pretty clean after that.

The bottom part can be opened.

Yah, all the dirt and brown algae being collected.

thanks man, will try the bleach method when i have the time.

Tried opening the bottom to clean and thought the thought part can be removed in some ways.

**Viper007** · 18th Feb 2009, 11:39

I too have this problem... must slant the mixer a little before the base fin can spin.

**torque6** · 18th Feb 2009, 20:58

DIYing a reactor based on Tomm barr design would have worked better, but it involves cutting up pvc pipes, drilling and using silicones.... which i dont have the equipment to start off with.

The CAL aquos new inline diffusor looks promising, but its relatively expensive. Would probably have to buy 2 to alternative use when one is being bleached.

**wenwei** · 19th Feb 2009, 22:29

Bleached mine for a around 3 hours while the light is off... althought it looks cleaner.. but din really help much... haha.. guess like what you have said.. have to get another alternative while i soak that for a longer time.

**torque6** · 20th Feb 2009, 22:17

Originally Posted by wenwei

Bleached mine for a around 3 hours while the light is off... althought it looks cleaner.. but din really help much... haha.. guess like what you have said.. have to get another alternative while i soak that for a longer time.

wow, you bought the inline diffusor from CAL?

**inque** · 27th Feb 2009, 10:07

just started mine ista reactor size (M) 2 days ago
will monitor the performance , so far so good.....

pls take note there is three sizes for the reactors

eheim 2026 should go for the Medium size,

if u use the Large size for 2026 will have problem driving the fin.
also pls check your canister, if too long never service or hose
filled with sludge or algae......

hose routing is important also , pls make sure all routing of hose do not
restrict the flow rate or canister.

**AquaZinYaw** · 23rd Jul 2009, 08:55

Not digging the old thread but I too have this problem. Even though I bought 2nd hand, it's only use for 3 months as seller said. It's very new and clean. I even open base cap and check. No sign of dirt or algae.

The impeller is a bit tight and need a bit of force to turn it with hand. Should I use sand paper to make allowance between center tube and impeller or just leave it, since the top impeller is moving and water is circulating inside?

Or I'm in totally wrong concept? The center rod can turn?

I try to turn it but it's fixed and not rotatable I guess..

Any advise?.. Thx!

**gentle** · 23rd Jul 2009, 19:12

you can try tilting it a little (ie don't put it vertically)

i am using eheim 2026 and all 3 fins are turning even though it is a little dirty after few months of use

**madnugget** · 23rd Jul 2009, 20:48

hi guys.. may i know is it supposed for both fin to be moving? i bought a 2nd hand unit and it seems like the 1 that can be remove isnt spinning at all, however the fin nearer to the co2 inlet could.

**AquaZinYaw** · 24th Jul 2009, 08:50

Originally Posted by gentle

you can try tilting it a little (ie don't put it vertically)

i am using eheim 2026 and all 3 fins are turning even though it is a little dirty after few months of use

Just wanna make sure, bro. Is the center rod can turn? Is your bottom blades can move easily when you fixed to center rod? My bottom fin blades is quite tight when fixed to center rod. Is it why the bottom fin blades can't move?

**gentle** · 24th Jul 2009, 09:23

no center rod cannot turn...

if i can remember, the bottom fin is not tightly attached to the rod...you should be able to turn it with your finger

initially my bottom fin also not turning - and sometimes it turns a bit if air bubbles go in after water change - i wasn't really bothered...

then one fine day it starts to turn - so now i'm happy

even now, if i just shift it upright, the bottom fin will stop turning...so i think it is either a design flaw, or a feature of this reactor

**AquaZinYaw** · 24th Jul 2009, 16:46

Ok.. thx, bro! It should be not turning due to quite tight. I'll try to make easier to move by file or very fine sand paper and see how.

**AquaZinYaw** · 6th Aug 2009, 18:49

Ok. Now I can confirm that the bottom fin is not turning because it's too tight against the center rod. After I used file rod and sand paper to rub down inner wall of the bottom fin, it is now loosen with the center rod. I guess very loosen also no problem (Even a bit tight cause problem).

During testing, finally the bottom can spinning very well. Another problem I facing is noise and water leak from bottom cap. After take out bottom cap and re-adjust the rubber o-ring and re-tighten, there is no more leak.

There should have bigger and round o-ring. Now it has damn small o-ring.

After fixed the leak, the water is only half filled in the reactor and the air trapped in the reactor is making noise. Even can here from another room.

After searching and reading up a bit, found out that the air must be release by turning the reactor horizontally or bottom-up (upside down) to let the air go out from center rod.

Now all the problem fixed.

(Bottom fin spinning, No more leaking, No more noise)

Just sharing for ISTA co2 reactor users who have same problem with mine. Hope you guys can understand my English.

**Viper007** · 7th Aug 2009, 12:43

Well ISTA reactor does have some problem here and there. But for the $$ and the fact that CO2 can mixed rather well, is still a value for money item. Have been using for almost a year so far so good.