GFO/Carbon Reactor Dust

[tallguy88]

I put in a GFO/Carbon reactor about a month ago. Since running I have noticed a lot of fine brown dust all over my sump like the GFO dust is working through the carbon and thru the output line back into the sump. Should I worry about this I'm afraid somehow it will negatively effect my DT. Where does other people route their return line from their reactors and do they dump them straight back to the QT?

Also on a side note seems like my GFO stops tumbling after a few days even with valve open to max just kind of summers the top inch of GFO, any ideas?

[tallguy88]

Correction not QT but sump.

[Pife]

Do you rinse your gfo?

[tallguy88]

I put the GFO and carbon in my dual reactor then run about 2 gallons into a waste bucket and then put the return hose into the sump.

[oh207]

Do you flush your GFO/Carbon? I usually flush about 1-2 gallons until it runs clear. Also, are you running a mix of GFO and carbon? If so, then you should not allow it to tumble. The particles will grind against each other and break down.
If you are only running GFO, then yes, it should have a slow tumble.

The return line from reactor goes into the sump return area.

[tallguy88]

One reactor has gfo that tumbles slightly and then feeds into second reactor with carbon that does not tumble at all is secured with foam pads.

[mixedreef89]

I had the same problem when i first hooked up my reactor. I have a 250gph pump running mine that is toned back with a ball valve. I have found that when I change out my GFO I will run the valve wide open for about 3-5 gallons then crank it way back to where its no longer tumbling. I will then flush 1-2 more gallons out and its clear waters from there for me.

[JMorris271]

Originally Posted by mixedreef89

I had the same problem when i first hooked up my reactor. I have a 250gph pump running mine that is toned back with a ball valve. I have found that when I change out my GFO I will run the valve wide open for about 3-5 gallons then crank it way back to where its no longer tumbling. I will then flush 1-2 more gallons out and its clear waters from there for me.

What are you flushing with tank water or fresh,and where do you run flushed water? I have never hooked one up before.

[jrozzi]

no matter how much you rinse you are always going to get a little bit, I don't think it hurts anything if you are worried just siphon it out on your next water change. I have a bunch of in the back Innovative marine tank.

[mixedreef89]

Tank water always. And just flush into a bucket or tote.

[mixedreef89]

You don't want it tumbling. I've got mine to where you can barely see it moving

[DavidinGA]

I rinse mine and then the reactor line dumps into a filter sock that keeps all the crap out of my sump....

[mixedreef89]

I stopped filtering mine through the sock in the tank because it started turning my water a brownish yellow from the dust.

[oh207]

Originally Posted by tallguy88

One reactor has gfo that tumbles slightly and then feeds into second reactor with carbon that does not tumble at all is secured with foam pads.

Its best practice to put carbon in the first chamber and GFO in the second chamber. With the carbon being in first chamber, it will clog up first and this is ideal because it is cheaper. This will also ensure that your GFO lasts longer without needing replacement because the carbon traps most of the detritus (if any).
I had a dual chamber reactor initially and ran it with carbon first and GFO second. I changed the carbon every 3 weeks and the GFO every 5 weeks.
I needed to do this because the carbon gets clogged up quickly. I didn't like that I was changing each at different times; it felt like I was constantly changing media. So now I have a single reactor and run a mix of carbon and GFO and I change it out every 3 weeks. The downside with a single reactor is that I discard the GFO before it is exhausted.

[tmz]

The dust wwill likely not dissolve but may irritate the animals.
FWIW ,I run gfo and gac separately.Tried the dual set up and didn't like it. GFO in a two little fishes/phosban reaactor works well for me. Some gfo is denser and sturdier than others. BRS high capacity gfo needs little rinsing ,puts of little dust and doesn't grind up when tumbled and holds up well to regenration ,IME. It's more expensive .A gallon of it weighs 7lbs compared to regular graulated stuff that weighs 4lbs per gallon.

[tallguy88]

Awesome information. Also I notice GFO over a few days starts to simmer less and less like it is clogging up and eventually with the ball valve completely open barely simmers at the top the mid to bottom GFO never moves is this normal? I am using the BRS duel reactor kit with a pump it comes with.

[mixedreef89]

Your GFO should not tumble. It should barely move. Like to the point you can't see it.

[mixedreef89]

I'm just using the phosban 150. It's been working great with phosban. I will be getting another seperate BRS reactor for my carbon. That way I can control both individually

Also I'm using the Cobalt 400-800 pump. I've got the valve open maybe 1/4 of the way. And unless my eyes are right on my reactor I can barely see it moving

[theoregonian]

I bought a small bucket of phosban and it was full of dust. Tried to rinse but so much dust I gave up. Bought some generic GFO off ebay and the granules were uniform and hardly any dust. I would try the cheap GFO off ebay... it's working good and not paying for 50 percent dust.

[mixedreef89]

That's odd you got that much dust. I didn't buy the big bucket just the little 150 gram tubs and I flush not rinse for total 5-8 gallons and everything is fine

[theoregonian]

I think the bucket could be the problem... looked like it had settled and the bucket was only 2/3 full so probably bounced around in shipping and broke down. The stuff I bought off ebay was packed tight in a zip bag so no room to break down. Only 15 bucks a pound.

[mixedreef89]

That's not a bad deal but do you know what it's made of or how fast it breaks down. I agree. I would rather buy it in small amounts than a big bucket. Could you PM me the link. If that's allowed. If not it's fine

[theoregonian]

Just go to ebay and type in GFO... kolarproducts is the seller and has several listings for sale... you can buy more pounds for less money like 6 pounds for 72...

[tmz]

A light tumble at thje surface is about right.

[DavidinGA]

Yeah definitely use separate reactors; the dual setups are not worth the huge trouble...