GFO and Carbon

[hotrodolds]

can i run a mix in the same reactor or do i need to run to separate ones?

[Aquarist007]

You can if you run the carbon first and then the gfo media last. the gfo media needs the room to slightly heave inside the reactor to be most effective.

the draw back with running them in the same reactor is that the gfo can last up to three months while the carbon needs to be replaced every three weeks.

[hotrodolds]

so dont quite top off the reactor when adding the GFO to give it some wiggle room?

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by hotrodolds
so dont quite top off the reactor when adding the GFO to give it some wiggle room?

if you add the right amount of each for your size of tank you should have lots of room left in the reactor(assuming it is one of the two little fishes reactors)

[hotrodolds]

alright awesome, i didnt know there was a correct amount. Havent even researched it that far. Hopefully going to pick up a pump and reactor soon here.

thanks for the help.

[bgraves]

just installed my second reactor. I also put filter floss to fill some of the area. not sure if it's a good idea or not. I also can't decide if my gfo is tumbling to much or not enough

[jhoff]

Single GFO/carbon reactor at www.bulkreefsupply.com reactor$39.99 mj900 pump$21.99. Video no how to set up take a look.I love mine

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by bgraves
just installed my second reactor. I also put filter floss to fill some of the area. not sure if it's a good idea or not. I also can't decide if my gfo is tumbling to much or not enough

slightly heaving is all you need. If it individual grains are breaking away and rising up the tube then it is heaving too much.

IMO the filter floss will become clogged up with organics from the water and have to be changed out way before the gfo

[Aquarist007]

here is a video that shows how the media should be heaving:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&h...&v=GVbw1yCGTbg

[singold]

Only want slight boil at top surface of Phosban media. Otherwise will desenigrate Phosban granduales. I use mini jet, if use Maxi Jet may have to dial it back some. Per manufacturer discussion I had with them at "Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor" site.

[Michael]

Originally posted by hotrodolds
can i run a mix in the same reactor or do i need to run to separate ones?

well yes of course it can be done, im sure a few aquarists do as well.

however id suggest 2 seperate reactors or run the phos media in a reactor and the carbon in a bag in the sump with a powerheads directed at it, the 2 reactor method is now becomming popular and imo a good method.

also as mentioned by the capn above the exhaustion rates for the 2 medias are very different and it seems to me a little daft to waste the phos media because just the carbon needs changing, and imo they need different flow rates as well.