Mixing carbon and GFO in same reactor?

thomasp123 · 01/15/2012, 04:28 PM

Has anyone had any trouble mixing GFO and carbon in the same reactor? I just replaced two 150 s with one much larger next reef unit. I like the next reef very much it is much better made than the two little fishes brand.

scarface70706 · 01/15/2012, 05:04 PM

idk about that brand since i dont have them. but i do run the bulk reef supply's duel reactors and they are great. you can use both medias in one reactor but its best to run them separately. reason being is because both need different flow rates. carbon low. gfo med low flow. also carbon needs to be changed out sooner then gfo so when swapping out media you will lose some media thats still useable. your best bet is to run two reactors. its not like they are expensive; do yourself a favor and save the headaches and run them separately.

littlec984 · 01/15/2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarface70706

idk about that brand since i dont have them. But i do run the bulk reef supply's duel reactors and they are great. You can use both medias in one reactor but its best to run them separately. Reason being is because both need different flow rates. Carbon low. Gfo med low flow. Also carbon needs to be changed out sooner then gfo so when swapping out media you will lose some media thats still useable. Your best bet is to run two reactors. Its not like they are expensive; do yourself a favor and save the headaches and run them separately.

+1

fishcraze · 01/15/2012, 09:13 PM

No issues with running both in the same reactor. It would be better to have separate reactors. If you can't run two reactors, then I would suggest experimenting with different ratios between the carbon and GFO to get most from both.

zigzag1 · 01/15/2012, 10:12 PM

Mixing them should be fine. Some prefer this method as it can keep the GFO from clumping up to some degree.You should not 'tumble' the mixed media as is often recommended for GFO, as the carbon will break down and turn to dust. The downside is that the carbon tends to exhaust and become ineffective in around 4 weeks and the GFO may not yet be exhausted. JMTC & GL!

01/15/2012, 04:28 PM	#1
thomasp123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hadley MA Posts: 345	Mixing carbon and GFO in same reactor? Has anyone had any trouble mixing GFO and carbon in the same reactor? I just replaced two 150 s with one much larger next reef unit. I like the next reef very much it is much better made than the two little fishes brand.

01/15/2012, 10:12 PM	#5
zigzag1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 1,276	Mixing them should be fine. Some prefer this method as it can keep the GFO from clumping up to some degree.You should not 'tumble' the mixed media as is often recommended for GFO, as the carbon will break down and turn to dust. The downside is that the carbon tends to exhaust and become ineffective in around 4 weeks and the GFO may not yet be exhausted. JMTC & GL! __________________ :beer: Mixed Reef, started 10/2004: 6' BB 125g DT, 100lbs LR, 40g sump, Dual Ehiem 1000 returns, Eshopps dual overflow, JBJ ATO, Vertex IN-180, PM Ca reactor, 250w MH w/VHO Actinic, AC3 w/Aquasurf, Tunze 6105 pair & 40B frag tank 8 Fish, 20+ corals, shrimp, snails, worms, bugs, etc.

01/15/2012, 05:04 PM	#2
scarface70706 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,364	idk about that brand since i dont have them. but i do run the bulk reef supply's duel reactors and they are great. you can use both medias in one reactor but its best to run them separately. reason being is because both need different flow rates. carbon low. gfo med low flow. also carbon needs to be changed out sooner then gfo so when swapping out media you will lose some media thats still useable. your best bet is to run two reactors. its not like they are expensive; do yourself a favor and save the headaches and run them separately.

01/15/2012, 09:13 PM	#4
fishcraze Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 15	No issues with running both in the same reactor. It would be better to have separate reactors. If you can't run two reactors, then I would suggest experimenting with different ratios between the carbon and GFO to get most from both.