TLF 150 setup help

rustyjames · 01/31/2014, 09:37 AM

I just got my first reactor and am looking for some help setting it up. My plan is to run carbon and gfo together. I understand it's not the most efficient way of running these medias but with the small volume of a 20 long I don't mind changing it out every 2-3 weeks. Plus there's not alot of space with a 10 gallon sump.
Should I put the carbon on the bottom, then the sponge and the gfo on the top? Keeping all the media at the bottom of the reactor. Or the BRS website says, for their reactor, to mix the two and keep the media towards the top. I guess the carbon keeps the gfo from clumping?
I'm also not sure how much to use. I was thinking about a half cup of carbon and a couple tablespoons of gfo but the reactor seems huge for that small amount of media.
Any help would be great.

Jeremy B. · 01/31/2014, 10:12 AM

Running media such as carbon and gfo through a fluidized filter such as what you have make these media's an extremely large amount more efficient than just running them in a bag in a high flow area. Take into account your efficiency increase and the small amount of water that you have I would suggest running a minimal amount of media to start off with. Somewhere around 1/4 to 1/3 cup of each is what I would suggest.

As far as mixing the two you can try and separate with a sponge, but it's been my experience that you're going to get some intermixing regardless of how you separate it. I would put the carbon on top since it's heavier, however with the very small amount of total media you are running the chance of floating any of it to the top is pretty slim as long as you keep your flow down.

ReefDabs710 · 02/01/2014, 11:01 PM

I aswell just got a TLF 150 reactor. Still need to get a pump, unless any old ones I have will work. But I plan to do the same thing, I was thinking biopellets but I think carbon and gfo might be better.
My system is a 30g rimless cube with a 10g sump.
Probly 28-32 gallons of total water volume.
plan to instal in the sump.
My aim is to combat GHA aswell as lower my nitrates with less feeding.
How much should I use if I run both but keep them seperated.

moondoggy4 · 02/02/2014, 11:24 AM

BRS has a calculator. Like Jeremey stated to use less than recommended.

rustyjames · 02/02/2014, 11:29 AM

Jeremy, thank you. Although I haven't shopped at PA, I've always heard good things.
Dabs, I'm in the same boat as you. Right now I'm running 1/2 cup carbon and about 3 tablespoons of GFO. Everything seems to responding well. I'll watch the tank and change it out every other week.

rustyjames · 02/02/2014, 11:31 AM

Moon, we must have been typing at the same time, thanks.

ReefDabs710 · 02/02/2014, 12:24 PM

I cant wait to get mine set up

01/31/2014, 09:37 AM	#1
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	TLF 150 setup help I just got my first reactor and am looking for some help setting it up. My plan is to run carbon and gfo together. I understand it's not the most efficient way of running these medias but with the small volume of a 20 long I don't mind changing it out every 2-3 weeks. Plus there's not alot of space with a 10 gallon sump. Should I put the carbon on the bottom, then the sponge and the gfo on the top? Keeping all the media at the bottom of the reactor. Or the BRS website says, for their reactor, to mix the two and keep the media towards the top. I guess the carbon keeps the gfo from clumping? I'm also not sure how much to use. I was thinking about a half cup of carbon and a couple tablespoons of gfo but the reactor seems huge for that small amount of media. Any help would be great. __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

02/02/2014, 11:29 AM	#5
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	Jeremy, thank you. Although I haven't shopped at PA, I've always heard good things. Dabs, I'm in the same boat as you. Right now I'm running 1/2 cup carbon and about 3 tablespoons of GFO. Everything seems to responding well. I'll watch the tank and change it out every other week. __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

02/02/2014, 11:31 AM	#6
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	Moon, we must have been typing at the same time, thanks. __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

01/31/2014, 10:12 AM	#2
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	Running media such as carbon and gfo through a fluidized filter such as what you have make these media's an extremely large amount more efficient than just running them in a bag in a high flow area. Take into account your efficiency increase and the small amount of water that you have I would suggest running a minimal amount of media to start off with. Somewhere around 1/4 to 1/3 cup of each is what I would suggest. As far as mixing the two you can try and separate with a sponge, but it's been my experience that you're going to get some intermixing regardless of how you separate it. I would put the carbon on top since it's heavier, however with the very small amount of total media you are running the chance of floating any of it to the top is pretty slim as long as you keep your flow down.

02/01/2014, 11:01 PM	#3
ReefDabs710 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Asheville nc Posts: 80	I aswell just got a TLF 150 reactor. Still need to get a pump, unless any old ones I have will work. But I plan to do the same thing, I was thinking biopellets but I think carbon and gfo might be better. My system is a 30g rimless cube with a 10g sump. Probly 28-32 gallons of total water volume. plan to instal in the sump. My aim is to combat GHA aswell as lower my nitrates with less feeding. How much should I use if I run both but keep them seperated.

02/02/2014, 11:24 AM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	BRS has a calculator. Like Jeremey stated to use less than recommended.

02/02/2014, 12:24 PM	#7
ReefDabs710 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Asheville nc Posts: 80	I cant wait to get mine set up