Which GFO Reactor should I keep?

johnmiller81 · 01/03/2014, 12:57 AM

I just setup a Innovative Marine Midsize MiniMax Reactor. It's really sleek but I'm concerned that I have to turn down the flow to about 50% (max gfo added) which is something around 40gph. In having a 90 gallon it seems to be taking a long time to drop my phosphates from .25; 48 hours in and I'm only down to .15.

I also do have a Phosban 150 (would mount inside the sump) w Rio 600 and believe I can push more flow through. Subsequently probably better to reduce and maintain my phosphates. My LFS is willing to let me return either one.

Phosban 150 quality aside which GFO Reactor would provide the best results?

Johnic · 01/05/2014, 12:57 PM

With Gfo you can't run too much water through it as you want the gfo to tumble very slow and not beat itself to death. So the IM reactor which I also use on my 75 gal tumbles slow and keeps the phos down. Keep changing out the gfo every month and you'll be fine.

Jeff000 · 01/05/2014, 09:34 PM

Don't measure you phosphate so close together either. Think more like a week or two.

dppitone · 01/06/2014, 02:15 AM

IMO 40gph is the max to run water through a conventional reactor. The gfo process is a marathon not a sprint, so it is meant to run slow and continuously with phosphates at the low target level. If you need to bring it down rapidly from .25 then use something like Kent phospate sponge in the reactor for 24 hours, and afterwards put in the gfo to maintain that level.

01/03/2014, 12:57 AM	#1
johnmiller81 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 57	Which GFO Reactor should I keep? I just setup a Innovative Marine Midsize MiniMax Reactor. It's really sleek but I'm concerned that I have to turn down the flow to about 50% (max gfo added) which is something around 40gph. In having a 90 gallon it seems to be taking a long time to drop my phosphates from .25; 48 hours in and I'm only down to .15. I also do have a Phosban 150 (would mount inside the sump) w Rio 600 and believe I can push more flow through. Subsequently probably better to reduce and maintain my phosphates. My LFS is willing to let me return either one. Phosban 150 quality aside which GFO Reactor would provide the best results?

01/05/2014, 12:57 PM	#2
Johnic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,092	With Gfo you can't run too much water through it as you want the gfo to tumble very slow and not beat itself to death. So the IM reactor which I also use on my 75 gal tumbles slow and keeps the phos down. Keep changing out the gfo every month and you'll be fine. __________________ 75 Lee Mar Peninsula Tank, Reef Octo Elite 150, Custom Advanced Acrylic Sump, (2) MP40, Vectra M2 Main Pump, (2) XR15 Pro, Clear Water ATS CW-50, Alkatronic,GHL Doser 2.1, Apex Neptune El with Trident

01/05/2014, 09:34 PM	#3
Jeff000 Electrician Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,653	Don't measure you phosphate so close together either. Think more like a week or two.

01/06/2014, 02:15 AM	#4
dppitone Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Queen Village, Phila. Posts: 1,697	IMO 40gph is the max to run water through a conventional reactor. The gfo process is a marathon not a sprint, so it is meant to run slow and continuously with phosphates at the low target level. If you need to bring it down rapidly from .25 then use something like Kent phospate sponge in the reactor for 24 hours, and afterwards put in the gfo to maintain that level.