Reactor W/GFO Okay to Turn Off & On?

coffee_snob · 02/18/2015, 10:59 AM

Is there a problem with running GFO reactor on and off as needed, or does it need to run 24/7?

What is a normal PO4 level?

Sk8r · 02/18/2015, 11:12 AM

No. If you let that reactor sit a day or two it will stink terribly: bioaction is going on in there, and letting it sit idle even overnight is producing some bad stuff that I don't think is good to dump back into your tank when next you start it up after x-many hours to sit.

Fishmommy · 02/18/2015, 11:16 AM

Agree ^
You have to consider your water as a living thing that needs to breathe. If my reactor is off for more than an hour or so I dump it.

ReefsandGeeks · 02/18/2015, 11:36 AM

If your PO4 is too low with your current amount of GFO, you can remove some and run with less. Most people would sugest starting slow with anything even if te change is in a good direction. I think I saw on another thread that you were having trouble with a coral after starting GFO. I'd guess you started with too much and it was shocked my the rapid drop on PO4, assuming you rinced your GFO well. I'd sugest taking some out, running just a little GFO and periadicaly raise how much you use untill you consistantly have PO4 at levels you want.

coffee_snob · 02/18/2015, 11:48 AM

Very good replies, thank you. I suspected "on & off" would be bad.

I started with 1/2 cup last night, I will cut it back to 1/4 cup.

You guys are awesome. 25 years ago when I was in the hobby, I only dreamed of a resource like this.

coffee_snob · 02/18/2015, 11:50 AM

...oh yea

What is a normal PO4 level?

super_steve85 · 02/18/2015, 12:08 PM

For corals, you want to keep your PO4 under .03.

fishchef · 02/18/2015, 12:22 PM

What method are you using to test PO4?

coffee_snob · 02/18/2015, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishchef

What method are you using to test PO4?

API Freshwater Master Test Kit (it's what my lfs had)

I know it's coming; "get a better test".

What is a good test kit I can get online?

coffee_snob · 02/18/2015, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by super_steve85

For corals, you want to keep your PO4 under .03.

Okay, thanks!

fishchef · 02/18/2015, 02:27 PM

Get a HANNA Checker. Well worth the money, actually cheaper in the long run if you don't go OCD. Some people do. Your PO4 could actually be quite a bit higher than you realize. Also your using a Freshwater test.

jason2459 · 02/18/2015, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by super_steve85

For corals, you want to keep your PO4 under .03.

depends on the coral. My duncan hates low PO4 and so does my softies. SPS I can see that. But many softies and some lps do not like the ultra low nutrients. Or fast drops in nutrients either. Any time my PO4 drops my duncan retracts for days. My PO4 is usually around .04 - .08 or so. The SPS that I did have didn't mind that level either. Also if you keep very low to undetectable nutrients it seems to be advised to keep ALK levels lower. Like between 7-9.

Goldndoodle · 02/18/2015, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffee_snob

What is a good test kit I can get online?

Sounds like you're in the same boat I am in, but on the other side of the state!

There are literally no aquarium resources in Monroe! The nearest LFS I trust is an hour drive north in Canton or Livonia. I end up having to buy everything online from either BRS or Amazon.

BTW - I was going to start moving my corals out of nanoCube into my new tank, but since I just started running GFO in the new tank yesterday, I'm now considering waiting until the GHA is more "controlled". I remember running some GFO in a bag in my nanoCube last year, and my Zoos and Torch hated it!

They've never seem to be bothered by PhosGuard - I'm considering running that in the reactor once the GFO is gone.

coffee_snob · 02/18/2015, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldndoodle

Sounds like you're in the same boat I am in, but on the other side of the state!

There are literally no aquarium resources in Monroe! The nearest LFS I trust is an hour drive north in Canton or Livonia. I end up having to buy everything online from either BRS or Amazon.

BTW - I was going to start moving my corals out of nanoCube into my new tank, but since I just started running GFO in the new tank yesterday, I'm now considering waiting until the GHA is more "controlled". I remember running some GFO in a bag in my nanoCube last year, and my Zoos and Torch hated it!

They've never seem to be bothered by PhosGuard - I'm considering running that in the reactor once the GFO is gone.

Blue Fish in Grand Rapids is pretty good for a smaller city store, but they only sell API test kits.

jason2459 · 02/18/2015, 02:47 PM

I like API generally except for PO4 it's just not designed for our needs.

+1 to the Hanna green egg checker. Hach has a really good PO4 kit as well but costs a bit.

coffee_snob · 02/18/2015, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffee_snob

API Freshwater Master Test Kit (it's what my lfs had)

I know it's coming; "get a better test".

What is a good test kit I can get online?

I'm an idiot. I copied and pasted that from my Amazon orders list. That was ordered for our freshwater tank. I also bought the saltwater version for this tank and am using it.

coffee_snob · 02/18/2015, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

I like API generally except for PO4 it's just not designed for our needs.

+1 to the Hanna green egg checker. Hach has a really good PO4 kit as well but costs a bit.

I ordered a Salifert PO4 test today. Will try it.

ReefsandGeeks · 02/18/2015, 02:59 PM

I typicaly frequent my LFSs for livestock, and coral, and an occasional emergency item, but most of my suppliments are from amazon. Free 2 day shipping, even on small orders, and usualy prices 30-50% less than my LFSs. As far as livestock Im blessed currently that I live in Houston, which is huge and I have about 8-12 LFSs I can go to, depending on how far I feel like driving. One saturday I was on a hunt for a britle star and went from LFS to LFS looking for them. I could have called, but realy just wanted an excuse to go out.

I've heard the API kit for PO4 is no good for a reef. The scale is much too high, where you'll read 0 or undetectable, but in reality your PO4 could actualy be more than desired.

jason2459 · 02/18/2015, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffee_snob

I ordered a Salifert PO4 test today. Will try it.

That'll work just fine too.

coffee_snob · 02/18/2015, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devastator007

I've heard the API kit for PO4 is no good for a reef. The scale is much too high, where you'll read 0 or undetectable, but in reality your PO4 could actualy be more than desired.

I was afraid of that, and why I didn't believe the 0 test result.

ryeguyy84 · 02/18/2015, 03:59 PM

I found the Salifert very hard to read. but then again i'm not really that great with colors. Hanna checkers are where it's at. higher upfront cost (although not really anymore) and cheap refills. plus you get a number to read instead of a color.

the alk one is my favorite so far. love the liquid reagent.

fishchef · 02/18/2015, 04:12 PM

Salifert PO4 was the one I had problems with. I was getting a zero reading and it was much higher. No color blindness here. I hope they improved it over the last 5 years. Along time ago I used API, but if you get any color your way too high.

02/18/2015, 10:59 AM	#1
coffee_snob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 296	Reactor W/GFO Okay to Turn Off & On? Is there a problem with running GFO reactor on and off as needed, or does it need to run 24/7? What is a normal PO4 level? __________________ Webcam: http://myreeftank.weebly.com/

02/18/2015, 11:12 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	No. If you let that reactor sit a day or two it will stink terribly: bioaction is going on in there, and letting it sit idle even overnight is producing some bad stuff that I don't think is good to dump back into your tank when next you start it up after x-many hours to sit. __________________ 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%.

02/18/2015, 11:16 AM	#3
Fishmommy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NH, USA Posts: 1,214	Agree ^ You have to consider your water as a living thing that needs to breathe. If my reactor is off for more than an hour or so I dump it. __________________ 135 DSA reef w/50 MRC sump. 10 + 5 QT, 180 planted, 75 planted

02/18/2015, 11:48 AM	#5
coffee_snob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 296	Very good replies, thank you. I suspected "on & off" would be bad. I started with 1/2 cup last night, I will cut it back to 1/4 cup. You guys are awesome. 25 years ago when I was in the hobby, I only dreamed of a resource like this. __________________ Webcam: http://myreeftank.weebly.com/

02/18/2015, 11:50 AM	#6
coffee_snob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 296	...oh yea What is a normal PO4 level? __________________ Webcam: http://myreeftank.weebly.com/

02/18/2015, 11:36 AM	#4
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	If your PO4 is too low with your current amount of GFO, you can remove some and run with less. Most people would sugest starting slow with anything even if te change is in a good direction. I think I saw on another thread that you were having trouble with a coral after starting GFO. I'd guess you started with too much and it was shocked my the rapid drop on PO4, assuming you rinced your GFO well. I'd sugest taking some out, running just a little GFO and periadicaly raise how much you use untill you consistantly have PO4 at levels you want.

02/18/2015, 12:08 PM	#7
super_steve85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 132	For corals, you want to keep your PO4 under .03. __________________ These are my murder sticks. There are many like it but these ones are mine. -The Oatmeal Current Tank Info: 200 gallon Starphire, in-wall DIY, 30 gal sump, 30 gal fuge

02/18/2015, 12:22 PM	#8
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	What method are you using to test PO4?

02/18/2015, 02:27 PM	#11
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	Get a HANNA Checker. Well worth the money, actually cheaper in the long run if you don't go OCD. Some people do. Your PO4 could actually be quite a bit higher than you realize. Also your using a Freshwater test. Last edited by fishchef; 02/18/2015 at 02:32 PM.

02/18/2015, 02:47 PM	#15
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	I like API generally except for PO4 it's just not designed for our needs. +1 to the Hanna green egg checker. Hach has a really good PO4 kit as well but costs a bit. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

02/18/2015, 02:59 PM	#18
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	I typicaly frequent my LFSs for livestock, and coral, and an occasional emergency item, but most of my suppliments are from amazon. Free 2 day shipping, even on small orders, and usualy prices 30-50% less than my LFSs. As far as livestock Im blessed currently that I live in Houston, which is huge and I have about 8-12 LFSs I can go to, depending on how far I feel like driving. One saturday I was on a hunt for a britle star and went from LFS to LFS looking for them. I could have called, but realy just wanted an excuse to go out. I've heard the API kit for PO4 is no good for a reef. The scale is much too high, where you'll read 0 or undetectable, but in reality your PO4 could actualy be more than desired.

02/18/2015, 03:59 PM	#21
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I found the Salifert very hard to read. but then again i'm not really that great with colors. Hanna checkers are where it's at. higher upfront cost (although not really anymore) and cheap refills. plus you get a number to read instead of a color. the alk one is my favorite so far. love the liquid reagent.

02/18/2015, 04:12 PM	#22
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	Salifert PO4 was the one I had problems with. I was getting a zero reading and it was much higher. No color blindness here. I hope they improved it over the last 5 years. Along time ago I used API, but if you get any color your way too high. Last edited by fishchef; 02/18/2015 at 04:31 PM.