What GFO and what Carbon?

CodeBlueMedic · 10/30/2014, 09:51 PM

Hey folks,

I've got a BRS dual reactor on the way and I'm curious as to what your experiences have been with the various medias out there? Which type/brand do you prefer and why?

thegrun · 10/31/2014, 07:04 AM

I use Blue Life PHOS Fx resin for phosphate removal, because you can regenerate it easily in warm saltwater six times before discarding it, it is less expensive to use and I don't get as much calcium precipitation with it as I did with GFO. If you do go with GFO I would use the Bulk Reef Supply High Capacity GFO, it is worth the extra money as it lasts longer and you can use higher flow. Same thing with the carbon, use BRS Premium ROX carbon.

CodeBlueMedic · 10/31/2014, 07:31 AM

Good call! I was just thinking about using phosguard or something similar. Any experience with Seachem Carbon Matrix? BRS is a bit pricey :-/

Sk8r · 10/31/2014, 10:41 AM

I use Phosban. What you're looking for, basically, is a stable GFO (granulated ferrous oxide---aka oxidized iron pellet) that won't grind to powder that irritates your corals. As long as it's good quality and not powdering, it's a good brand.

m0nkie · 10/31/2014, 10:54 AM

subscribing.

looking for an alternative to BRS carbon. cheaper options

CodeBlueMedic · 10/31/2014, 03:42 PM

Luckily it's a FOWLR, so I'm not too worried about the corals...I'm really thinking about using phosban and seachem matrix carbon. Any actual experience with the seachem carbon?

danil · 10/31/2014, 04:15 PM

If you're on budget you can try PhosFree liquid option. It's formulated from lanthanum (rare earth) compounds and used to clean pools from algae. It's really potent so one bottle will last you long time. I was running it on my 200g mixed reef for over two years and I'm still have half of the bottle left. Use it right by dripping into fine filter sock to collect precipitation. There are few claims that those particles can irritate tangs gills... I have five of them and never had any problems running it with filter sock or without.

10/30/2014, 09:51 PM	#1
CodeBlueMedic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 337	What GFO and what Carbon? Hey folks, I've got a BRS dual reactor on the way and I'm curious as to what your experiences have been with the various medias out there? Which type/brand do you prefer and why? __________________ DT: 125 gallon with 30 gallon sump (6 gallon refugium with DSB, Chaeto), 2x 800 gph power heads, bubble magus curve 5 skimmer, aqueon 300w heater, syncra 5.0 pump (FOWLR) DT: 29 Gallon Reef

10/31/2014, 07:31 AM	#3
CodeBlueMedic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 337	Good call! I was just thinking about using phosguard or something similar. Any experience with Seachem Carbon Matrix? BRS is a bit pricey :-/ __________________ DT: 125 gallon with 30 gallon sump (6 gallon refugium with DSB, Chaeto), 2x 800 gph power heads, bubble magus curve 5 skimmer, aqueon 300w heater, syncra 5.0 pump (FOWLR) DT: 29 Gallon Reef

10/31/2014, 10:41 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use Phosban. What you're looking for, basically, is a stable GFO (granulated ferrous oxide---aka oxidized iron pellet) that won't grind to powder that irritates your corals. As long as it's good quality and not powdering, it's a good brand. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/31/2014, 10:54 AM	#5
m0nkie Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: LA Posts: 6,264	subscribing. looking for an alternative to BRS carbon. cheaper options __________________ 560gal in the making

10/31/2014, 03:42 PM	#6
CodeBlueMedic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 337	Luckily it's a FOWLR, so I'm not too worried about the corals...I'm really thinking about using phosban and seachem matrix carbon. Any actual experience with the seachem carbon? __________________ DT: 125 gallon with 30 gallon sump (6 gallon refugium with DSB, Chaeto), 2x 800 gph power heads, bubble magus curve 5 skimmer, aqueon 300w heater, syncra 5.0 pump (FOWLR) DT: 29 Gallon Reef

10/31/2014, 07:04 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I use Blue Life PHOS Fx resin for phosphate removal, because you can regenerate it easily in warm saltwater six times before discarding it, it is less expensive to use and I don't get as much calcium precipitation with it as I did with GFO. If you do go with GFO I would use the Bulk Reef Supply High Capacity GFO, it is worth the extra money as it lasts longer and you can use higher flow. Same thing with the carbon, use BRS Premium ROX carbon.

10/31/2014, 04:15 PM	#7
danil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 935	If you're on budget you can try PhosFree liquid option. It's formulated from lanthanum (rare earth) compounds and used to clean pools from algae. It's really potent so one bottle will last you long time. I was running it on my 200g mixed reef for over two years and I'm still have half of the bottle left. Use it right by dripping into fine filter sock to collect precipitation. There are few claims that those particles can irritate tangs gills... I have five of them and never had any problems running it with filter sock or without.