Refugium, gfo reactor, or both?

mikemdvm · 04/02/2018, 10:16 PM

210 gallon reef with trigger system emerald 34 sump. Running for 6 weeks. Deciding if I should keep my five going go with gfo reactor or both?

thegrun · 04/02/2018, 10:43 PM

I'm a big fan of having a refugium but would set up the system so you can easily add a couple of reactors in the future.

RobZilla04 · 04/03/2018, 04:53 AM

What are the phosphate levels? Six weeks in is too early IMO to know where the level of No3 & Po4 are going to settle. If you have a major issue with Po4, running both before putting any livestock in the tank would be wise.

nereefpat · 04/03/2018, 07:31 AM

Good advice above.

Fuges are always good. Having a reactor ready to run carbon or GFO is a good idea too. Definitely test phosphate levels if you are running GFO, and only run it if you need it.

hijinks · 04/03/2018, 07:33 AM

Go refugium first and have the reactor ready when you need it.

JTL · 04/03/2018, 08:15 AM

I have always run a fuge with Cheato and I also keep a decent sized pile of live rock in there as well. I made a basket out of egg crate to keep the live rock in confined area. I also have a reactor that I use for carbon which I run 24/7 to polish the water. I feed the fuge from both tank water and water from the return pump eliminating the need for additional pumps.

ImTacticool · 04/03/2018, 09:53 AM

I would personally run a fuge. Could potentially keep cost down from having to replace reactor medium when needed.

thinhn1 · 04/06/2018, 11:36 PM

Only run gfo if have a large bio load. Fuge is the best filtration imo

04/02/2018, 10:16 PM	#1
mikemdvm Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 10	Refugium, gfo reactor, or both? 210 gallon reef with trigger system emerald 34 sump. Running for 6 weeks. Deciding if I should keep my five going go with gfo reactor or both?

04/03/2018, 04:53 AM	#3
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	What are the phosphate levels? Six weeks in is too early IMO to know where the level of No3 & Po4 are going to settle. If you have a major issue with Po4, running both before putting any livestock in the tank would be wise. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/03/2018, 07:31 AM	#4
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Good advice above. Fuges are always good. Having a reactor ready to run carbon or GFO is a good idea too. Definitely test phosphate levels if you are running GFO, and only run it if you need it. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

04/03/2018, 08:15 AM	#6
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I have always run a fuge with Cheato and I also keep a decent sized pile of live rock in there as well. I made a basket out of egg crate to keep the live rock in confined area. I also have a reactor that I use for carbon which I run 24/7 to polish the water. I feed the fuge from both tank water and water from the return pump eliminating the need for additional pumps. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

04/02/2018, 10:43 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I'm a big fan of having a refugium but would set up the system so you can easily add a couple of reactors in the future.

04/03/2018, 07:33 AM	#5
hijinks Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 505	Go refugium first and have the reactor ready when you need it.

04/03/2018, 09:53 AM	#7
ImTacticool Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 20	I would personally run a fuge. Could potentially keep cost down from having to replace reactor medium when needed.

04/06/2018, 11:36 PM	#8
thinhn1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 18	Only run gfo if have a large bio load. Fuge is the best filtration imo