GFO or GAC?

Acronic · 10/24/2009, 09:30 PM

My tank is only 5 months old. In the begining i had problems with GHA so i bought a 2LF reactor and ran GFO. Now its all gone. Should i switch to GAC over GFO. I have not used GAC ever. Im pretty much out of outlets so i dont wanna buy another reactor. I was thinking of putting GAC in the reactor and GFO in the media bag i have. Is that the right thing to do?

tmz · 10/24/2009, 09:50 PM

They do different things. Gfo removes inorganic phosphate and some silicate.. GAC removes organic material, some of which can breakdown to phosphate and nitrate and some of which may contain toxic compounds.I use both in separate reactors. Some use them both in a single reactor. They will separate with the gac rising to the top since it floats.

Acronic · 10/24/2009, 11:39 PM

Do I need to add another sponge to separate them as well or does it matter if they mix together? Thanks for your reply.

Acronic · 10/25/2009, 01:02 PM

I was using PURA phoslock before and i just picked up some PURA complete. It has Phoslock in it as well as carbon. Does anyone else use this? or have sugestions for a diff brand.

Thanks

tmz · 10/25/2009, 01:27 PM

I don't think you need a sponge to separate them but it's not a bad idea.

Tater11 · 10/25/2009, 02:06 PM

for best results use gfo and gac in seperate reactors because each needs a different flow rate.

Plan>B · 10/25/2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tater11

for best results use gfo and gac in seperate reactors because each needs a different flow rate.

Could you give a little more detail on this, how much flow does each need?

Tater11 · 10/25/2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plan>B

Could you give a little more detail on this, how much flow does each need?

i'll try gfo needs a flow where the particles are barley tumbling on the surface
like water just starting to boil.if the flow is too high the particles will grind together and get pulvurized not good.and gac should have very little flow as well not really tumbling on the surface that way the water passes through slowly longer contact time to filter water. hope this helps.

go to bulkreefsupply.com there are short vids on this issue

Acronic · 10/25/2009, 04:58 PM

Thank you for the replys and link

Tater11 · 10/25/2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acronic

Thank you for the replys and link

your welcome let me know how it turns out..

tmz · 10/26/2009, 10:56 AM

GAC can work in a variety of flow from passive to moderate. Which is most efficient is arguable. I prefer a brisk flow through it. Gfo needs enough to cause a light tumble. While it's fine to use them together in a single reactor, I use separate reactors since it gives me a little more control and they exhaust at different rates so I can easily change them out at separate times.

I use the brs dual reactor and two little fishes reactors and prefer the latter for ease of maintenance and viewability.

10/24/2009, 09:30 PM	#1
Acronic The Fifth Master Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,813	GFO or GAC? My tank is only 5 months old. In the begining i had problems with GHA so i bought a 2LF reactor and ran GFO. Now its all gone. Should i switch to GAC over GFO. I have not used GAC ever. Im pretty much out of outlets so i dont wanna buy another reactor. I was thinking of putting GAC in the reactor and GFO in the media bag i have. Is that the right thing to do? __________________ Kevin I have lost all concept of reality and live in an SPS world now.

10/24/2009, 09:50 PM	#2
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	They do different things. Gfo removes inorganic phosphate and some silicate.. GAC removes organic material, some of which can breakdown to phosphate and nitrate and some of which may contain toxic compounds.I use both in separate reactors. Some use them both in a single reactor. They will separate with the gac rising to the top since it floats. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

10/24/2009, 11:39 PM	#3
Acronic The Fifth Master Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,813	Do I need to add another sponge to separate them as well or does it matter if they mix together? Thanks for your reply. __________________ Kevin I have lost all concept of reality and live in an SPS world now.

10/25/2009, 01:02 PM	#4
Acronic The Fifth Master Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,813	I was using PURA phoslock before and i just picked up some PURA complete. It has Phoslock in it as well as carbon. Does anyone else use this? or have sugestions for a diff brand. Thanks __________________ Kevin I have lost all concept of reality and live in an SPS world now.

10/25/2009, 01:27 PM	#5
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I don't think you need a sponge to separate them but it's not a bad idea. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

10/25/2009, 02:06 PM	#6
Tater11 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: centralia,il Posts: 1,111	for best results use gfo and gac in seperate reactors because each needs a different flow rate.

10/25/2009, 04:58 PM	#9
Acronic The Fifth Master Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,813	Thank you for the replys and link __________________ Kevin I have lost all concept of reality and live in an SPS world now.

10/26/2009, 10:56 AM	#11
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	GAC can work in a variety of flow from passive to moderate. Which is most efficient is arguable. I prefer a brisk flow through it. Gfo needs enough to cause a light tumble. While it's fine to use them together in a single reactor, I use separate reactors since it gives me a little more control and they exhaust at different rates so I can easily change them out at separate times. I use the brs dual reactor and two little fishes reactors and prefer the latter for ease of maintenance and viewability. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.