Gfo & Carbon for new tank.

viks · 07/20/2011, 09:56 PM

hi guys.

I'm about to fill my 83gallon tank with water. Couple of questions regarding gfo and carbon. Firstly should I cycle my tank with both the media. If so, how much should I use of each. I'm gonna have mainly dry rock, and will seed with about 10lbs of live rock from my old tank.

Cheers
Viks.

bhammer · 07/20/2011, 10:07 PM

I am sure others will have a different say. I would wait on the GFO and run the carbon. The carbon will help absorbe any checmicals that may be there from the build. Once you cycle, check your po4 levels and use gfo if needed.

viks · 07/20/2011, 10:18 PM

Thanks. I have the BRS dual reactor. I'm guessing it's fine to only run carbon initially?

dlp211 · 07/20/2011, 10:25 PM

yes

bhammer · 07/21/2011, 08:30 AM

You will be fine. Not sure how the BRS dual works but you will probably want to run the GFO at a much slower flow rate than the carbon.

viks · 07/21/2011, 09:10 AM

Thanks!

markster33139 · 07/22/2011, 07:44 AM

Run carbon first, and add GFO at a later date as you add livestock

javajaws · 07/22/2011, 09:54 AM

If you're not worried about the cost, then run GFO from the start. That rock emits phosphate (until cycled) just as good as fish/feeding do so why wait for any to build up and contribute to startup algae problems?

Chris27 · 07/22/2011, 10:11 AM

I don't think it's worth the money or time to run either at startup.

Chris Lakies · 07/22/2011, 10:16 AM

I would run both gfo and carbon from start. I would definately check phosphates from the start.

EasyEd77 · 07/22/2011, 10:38 AM

+1 on running GFO from the start. I recently started using it a couple of months ago and am kicking myself for not doing it from the beginning.

fishome25 · 07/22/2011, 11:55 AM

Its easier to prevent a problem than try and fix one.

Paco · 07/22/2011, 12:42 PM

Will you have macro algae in a fuge? If yes then I would wait on the GFO because any P that's released from the rocks should help the Macro get established and growing. Just my $0.02. I don't run GFO regularly -- I let my Chaetomorpha absorb it.

07/20/2011, 09:56 PM	#1
viks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 139	Gfo & Carbon for new tank. hi guys. I'm about to fill my 83gallon tank with water. Couple of questions regarding gfo and carbon. Firstly should I cycle my tank with both the media. If so, how much should I use of each. I'm gonna have mainly dry rock, and will seed with about 10lbs of live rock from my old tank. Cheers Viks.

07/20/2011, 10:25 PM	#4
dlp211 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 591	yes __________________ Standard 180 w/C2C overflow 40B Sump, 40B refugium w/DSB SRO 3000 internal, BRS Carbon Rx 100# BRS Pukani, 40# Marco

07/22/2011, 09:54 AM	#8
javajaws Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 1,620	If you're not worried about the cost, then run GFO from the start. That rock emits phosphate (until cycled) just as good as fish/feeding do so why wait for any to build up and contribute to startup algae problems? __________________ Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. Current Tank Info: 110g in-wall, ATI 8x54w T5, 2xMP40es, SRO XP-2000i, 2-part Ca/Alk, Apex controlled

07/22/2011, 10:11 AM	#9
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	I don't think it's worth the money or time to run either at startup. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

07/22/2011, 10:16 AM	#10
Chris Lakies Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Blanc Michigan Posts: 1,446	I would run both gfo and carbon from start. I would definately check phosphates from the start. __________________ CL Current Tank Info: 50 breeder, 2 x XR15w pro (G4), 1 x MP40wQD, Apex JR, Ehiem-Jager 200 watt heater, Jabao DC6000 return, Reef Octo 150 elite SSS skimmer

07/20/2011, 10:07 PM	#2
bhammer Addicted User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 743	I am sure others will have a different say. I would wait on the GFO and run the carbon. The carbon will help absorbe any checmicals that may be there from the build. Once you cycle, check your po4 levels and use gfo if needed.

07/20/2011, 10:18 PM	#3
viks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 139	Thanks. I have the BRS dual reactor. I'm guessing it's fine to only run carbon initially?

07/21/2011, 08:30 AM	#5
bhammer Addicted User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 743	You will be fine. Not sure how the BRS dual works but you will probably want to run the GFO at a much slower flow rate than the carbon.

07/21/2011, 09:10 AM	#6
viks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 139	Thanks!

07/22/2011, 07:44 AM	#7
markster33139 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 340	Run carbon first, and add GFO at a later date as you add livestock

07/22/2011, 10:38 AM	#11
EasyEd77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Ramon Posts: 437	+1 on running GFO from the start. I recently started using it a couple of months ago and am kicking myself for not doing it from the beginning. __________________ 75 gallon AGA with Lifereef compact refugium 2 sump, 2 T5 HO w/individual reflector and 2 175 watt MH canopy retrofit kit, GEO 612 calcium reactor with masterflex, and litermeter 3 water exchange system.

07/22/2011, 11:55 AM	#12
fishome25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: long island Posts: 2,472	Its easier to prevent a problem than try and fix one.

07/22/2011, 12:42 PM	#13
Paco Move Don Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,210	Will you have macro algae in a fuge? If yes then I would wait on the GFO because any P that's released from the rocks should help the Macro get established and growing. Just my $0.02. I don't run GFO regularly -- I let my Chaetomorpha absorb it. __________________ Fish are nitrate factories. Remove them and watch your nitrates come down. Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

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