reactor placement and ? regarding carbon

nazgul1979 · 11/13/2013, 01:35 PM

3 questions...
1) this is a diagram of my homemade sump. Where should the MJ1200 that feeds the reactor be (skimmer area or return area) and where should I put the return from the reactor (skimmer, fuge, or return pump area)?
2) I have read that in coral systems carbon can strip trace elements that invertebrates and corals need. In doing so, dosing may become necessary while running carbon. How true is this? I don't have many corals (zoas, a couple of mushrooms, and xenia) and the usual CUC (snails, crabs) and CBS. How likely is this to become a problem for me?
3) If it does become a problem, can the dual BRS reactor be ran with just GFO in one canister and the other canister remain empty?

ksicard · 11/13/2013, 05:51 PM

I don't think it will matter to much for the placement of your mj1200, just make it so the return of the reactor isn't feeding straight back into your reactor if you catch my drift.

In terms of stripping the water clean, it's very possible to do if your running a tank with very little nutrients (ULNS). Many, many, many reefers run GFO/carbon and use quite a bit of it and as long as your tank has an adequate amount of fish/livestock in it and you're feeding regularly then I wouldn't worry about stripping your tank clean.

If you're tank is new and not very well stocked yet you can always start with 1/4 the recommended amount and increase the amount as you add more livestock. Personally I run 1 cup BRS carbon and .75 cups GFO on my 75g tank and change monthly, I use to use 1 1/2 cups GFO but I added .75 cups bio pellets and no longer need the extra GFO (also saves me a couple bucks on GFO).

Basically as long as you have some fish that are fed till they are fat and happy then you should be alright. If your unsure just start with less and add more as needed over time. And make sure you test your water to make sure you're running the proper amounts. I aim for 2-5ppm nitrates and 0.03-0.06ppm phosphates and use red sea for nitrates test and the Hannah ultra low range checker for phosphates.

Best of luck.

nazgul1979 · 11/13/2013, 11:18 PM

Thanks for the response. For now I'm running the second canister empty. I did place an order for some carbon and will add that later in the week. I'm hoping this will reduce the garden I'm growing in my display tank. lol

11/13/2013, 05:51 PM	#2
ksicard Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 538	I don't think it will matter to much for the placement of your mj1200, just make it so the return of the reactor isn't feeding straight back into your reactor if you catch my drift. In terms of stripping the water clean, it's very possible to do if your running a tank with very little nutrients (ULNS). Many, many, many reefers run GFO/carbon and use quite a bit of it and as long as your tank has an adequate amount of fish/livestock in it and you're feeding regularly then I wouldn't worry about stripping your tank clean. If you're tank is new and not very well stocked yet you can always start with 1/4 the recommended amount and increase the amount as you add more livestock. Personally I run 1 cup BRS carbon and .75 cups GFO on my 75g tank and change monthly, I use to use 1 1/2 cups GFO but I added .75 cups bio pellets and no longer need the extra GFO (also saves me a couple bucks on GFO). Basically as long as you have some fish that are fed till they are fat and happy then you should be alright. If your unsure just start with less and add more as needed over time. And make sure you test your water to make sure you're running the proper amounts. I aim for 2-5ppm nitrates and 0.03-0.06ppm phosphates and use red sea for nitrates test and the Hannah ultra low range checker for phosphates. Best of luck.

11/13/2013, 11:18 PM	#3
nazgul1979 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 92	Thanks for the response. For now I'm running the second canister empty. I did place an order for some carbon and will add that later in the week. I'm hoping this will reduce the garden I'm growing in my display tank. lol