carbon or gfo reactor????

unit15 · 06/30/2013, 12:08 PM

Ok so I'm not new to the salwater world but new to aftermarket filteration. I am upgrading from a jbj 8 gall to a 25 gal nano cube.

So far for the new tank I have a 120 watt led fixture and I'm turning the back into a mini sump with cheato.That's already more than I usually do but since I want to have a flawless tank that corals absolutely thrive and grow in, I want to add more to it. I hear a lot about carbon reactors or GFO reactors... I honestly don't know much about either but I read and see that most sucsessful sps or lps tanks run them.Will it benefit my 25 gallon if I get a carbon reactor? Or is my tank too small to make ANY diffference? Same with the gfo reactor.

Also I have read about them but if you could describe each ones performance in a brief description that would be very helpful.And of it makes a difference I have not put any water in this tank yet I'm waiting until I have everything, then put it together.

Thanks very much!!

Reef Frog · 06/30/2013, 12:58 PM

They are the exact same piece of hardware in almost all cases. They can run GFO, carbon, bio pellets & a few other types of media.

Which media to run depends on the type of problem you're trying to solve or prevent. GFO & carbon often requires sponges installed. Bio pellets usually require a stronger pump than the same reactor running GFO or carbon (see what the manufacturer recommends). Many people with nano tanks often run GFO and/or carbon in bags in the rear chambers, often in a media rack.

unit15 · 06/30/2013, 04:32 PM

Thank you for the respons! Ok so I just orderd it (the two fishies 150)along with a rio pump that runs 120 gph, that should be fine right? I also just got a maxi jet 900 for my main filter amd two power heads for ultimate circulation and still waiting for my 120 watt chinese full spectrum led light. Am I missing anything for a ****ing sweet set up?? Lol sorry just get pumped on all this.

What esle would you guys recomened for ultimate performace out of this little nano cube????

Thanks!

unit15 · 06/30/2013, 04:34 PM

Oh yea and I have put bags in the back but I didn't feel confident with that setup... I'm wierd I like to actually SEE things working lol

06/30/2013, 12:08 PM	#1
unit15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 141	carbon or gfo reactor???? Ok so I'm not new to the salwater world but new to aftermarket filteration. I am upgrading from a jbj 8 gall to a 25 gal nano cube. So far for the new tank I have a 120 watt led fixture and I'm turning the back into a mini sump with cheato.That's already more than I usually do but since I want to have a flawless tank that corals absolutely thrive and grow in, I want to add more to it. I hear a lot about carbon reactors or GFO reactors... I honestly don't know much about either but I read and see that most sucsessful sps or lps tanks run them.Will it benefit my 25 gallon if I get a carbon reactor? Or is my tank too small to make ANY diffference? Same with the gfo reactor. Also I have read about them but if you could describe each ones performance in a brief description that would be very helpful.And of it makes a difference I have not put any water in this tank yet I'm waiting until I have everything, then put it together. Thanks very much!!

06/30/2013, 12:58 PM	#2
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	They are the exact same piece of hardware in almost all cases. They can run GFO, carbon, bio pellets & a few other types of media. Which media to run depends on the type of problem you're trying to solve or prevent. GFO & carbon often requires sponges installed. Bio pellets usually require a stronger pump than the same reactor running GFO or carbon (see what the manufacturer recommends). Many people with nano tanks often run GFO and/or carbon in bags in the rear chambers, often in a media rack.

06/30/2013, 04:32 PM	#3
unit15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 141	Thank you for the respons! Ok so I just orderd it (the two fishies 150)along with a rio pump that runs 120 gph, that should be fine right? I also just got a maxi jet 900 for my main filter amd two power heads for ultimate circulation and still waiting for my 120 watt chinese full spectrum led light. Am I missing anything for a ****ing sweet set up?? Lol sorry just get pumped on all this. What esle would you guys recomened for ultimate performace out of this little nano cube???? Thanks!

06/30/2013, 04:34 PM	#4
unit15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 141	Oh yea and I have put bags in the back but I didn't feel confident with that setup... I'm wierd I like to actually SEE things working lol