3 Weeks GFO Update

[Mrramsey]

I am happy to report that there has been a significant improvement in my tank since starting GFO/GAC 3 weeks ago with a BRS Dual Reactor. I started with about 50% of the recommended amount that the BRS calculator gave me.

The sand bed is almost completely white again. There are still a few patches on the rocks but things are noticeably cleaner. I also got a couple of the new rw-8 pumps to replace my wp-25 pumps. They seem to have a much wider flow.

[JerseyGuy]

Awesome, I bought a BRS Dual Reactor about three years ago and it was the best thing I've ever done for the tank. I run it 24/7 and have had no algae problems since. My sand stay's nice and clean as does my glass. And the water is super clear. 100% satisfied.

[Pigpen17]

Question. I bought a single chamber reactor and it's on it's way, but I think I may have goofed and should have went with the dual to run carbon as well. I just thought about it the other day in the car. How much of your success do you think the carbon is responsible for? I know there is no way to tell really, but I guess I'm asking what your opinion of it is.

[Reef Frog]

The GFO does the heavy lifting so to speak. It binds the phosphate directly. Carbon does not.

Carbon will remove disolved organics which may break down & release nutrients in the future. For me I run the carbon in a bag which is sufficient, and the GFO in a single reactor & it works very well. For a big tank full of big fish a carbon only reactor can be very beneficial but a bag in an area of good flow works well for most.

[JerseyGuy]

I think that using carbon in a reactor is considerably more effective at polishing your water than just sticking a bag of it in your sump (which is what I did pre-reactor). The reactor forces the water through the whole bag of carbon so you're definitely getting more water/carbon interaction. If you are looking for really crystal clear water, the reactor is the way to go IMHO.

[jchindo]

You can always add a second single reactor after the gfo reactor for carbon. Just add a valve before the carbon to control the flow.

[Pigpen17]

Thanks all. Yeah, I should have bought the dual, in hindsight, but good to know the GFO will work alone. One thing at a time I guess.

Slow and steady.

[Stackemdeep]

GFO usually can go thirty days but if PO4 was high to start with, it may be a good idea to change it out every 3 weeks, especially if using a lesser amount. I have always run GFO and Carbon and can tell by my glass cleaning schedule when it is time now to change it out. Glad you are having success!

[Mrramsey]

Originally Posted by Pigpen17

Question. I bought a single chamber reactor and it's on it's way, but I think I may have goofed and should have went with the dual to run carbon as well. I just thought about it the other day in the car. How much of your success do you think the carbon is responsible for? I know there is no way to tell really, but I guess I'm asking what your opinion of it is.

I like running a bit of carbon. I did before using the reactor by running a bit passively in a filter sock. I feel like i get a good polish on the water when i use it. Definitely looks clearer anyways. The dual reactor is nice since I can run one or both or none very easily.

[Sk8r]

The dual that I'm familiar with runs one medium at a time, just more of it for tanks of 100 g up.

I will say that after clearing my tank of a massive lot of phosphate, I'm seeing hair algae start up here and there so after 3 months of being algae free, I'm now needing to fire up the reactor again with new medium. Why? Because rock takes a long time to soak out all it contains. Obviously my rock, or a few of the larger pieces of it, still have more to offer. But the GFO will take care of it.