Ok...Canister converted to GFO/Carbon reactor?

Sgt Jonny Cat · 04/24/2014, 04:50 PM

After a lot of reading on this forum, and a lot of input from you guys, I think the best thing to do with my Fluval 406 canister filter is to convert it to a carbon/GFO reactor to expel nutrients. (if you have read my threads I am having cyano issues)Has anyone done this? And if so, how do I go about adding the media. I assume GFO on the bottom, carbon on top? (there are 4 chambers) and then some sort of sponge to catch any particles?

Thanks again everyone...

55 gallon FOWLR but plan on growing corals soon, live rock live sand, HOB Eshopps skimmer 1 koralia 850 gph power head, and am waiting on a Jebao wp25.

Sgt Jonny Cat · 04/24/2014, 06:28 PM

No One??

Giants206 · 04/24/2014, 07:05 PM

I thought about doing the same, also thought about converting my canister filter into a refugium. The main problem is maintenance, they collect a lot of debris in them and in time it will be a nitrate factory, unless you're willing to empty and clean it atleast twice a week. The 2nd problem would be both carbon and GFO need different floe rates, in my opinion it wouldnt work.

Reef Frog · 04/24/2014, 09:30 PM

It will work to an extent. It is not even close to an up flow reactor in terms of efficiency and you will use more GFO than you would in a reactor. You can get a Phosban 150 reactor & pump for $60-$70 so your not really saving money.

If you use your canister I would use a pump with moderate flow as you need good contact time with the media. You will need to keep the sponges or floss pads clean to deter nitrates but I'd bet twice a week changes aren't needed unless you have a really high bio load.

Personally it sounds like a hassle & I'd persoanally do a GFO reactor with bagged carbon since they do exhaust at different rates if you have the space & can spend the money.

tmz · 04/24/2014, 09:48 PM

I use mine that way and described it in our other thread. I put the gfo and carbon in separtae basketts in fine mesh bags lossely packed to allow flow through. I've also used gfo and gac in separate reactors as well. Don't think there is much difference as long as you get flow through it.

04/24/2014, 04:50 PM	#1
Sgt Jonny Cat Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: North of Boston Ma. Posts: 685	Ok...Canister converted to GFO/Carbon reactor? After a lot of reading on this forum, and a lot of input from you guys, I think the best thing to do with my Fluval 406 canister filter is to convert it to a carbon/GFO reactor to expel nutrients. (if you have read my threads I am having cyano issues)Has anyone done this? And if so, how do I go about adding the media. I assume GFO on the bottom, carbon on top? (there are 4 chambers) and then some sort of sponge to catch any particles? Thanks again everyone... 55 gallon FOWLR but plan on growing corals soon, live rock live sand, HOB Eshopps skimmer 1 koralia 850 gph power head, and am waiting on a Jebao wp25.

04/24/2014, 07:05 PM	#3
Giants206 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 177	I thought about doing the same, also thought about converting my canister filter into a refugium. The main problem is maintenance, they collect a lot of debris in them and in time it will be a nitrate factory, unless you're willing to empty and clean it atleast twice a week. The 2nd problem would be both carbon and GFO need different floe rates, in my opinion it wouldnt work. __________________ Coralife Biocube 29. Tunze 9002 skimmer. InTank Media Basket. 100w Eheim Jager. Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO. VorTech MP10w ES. Kessil A350w...hole on my pocket

04/24/2014, 09:48 PM	#5
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I use mine that way and described it in our other thread. I put the gfo and carbon in separtae basketts in fine mesh bags lossely packed to allow flow through. I've also used gfo and gac in separate reactors as well. Don't think there is much difference as long as you get flow through it. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

04/24/2014, 06:28 PM	#2
Sgt Jonny Cat Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: North of Boston Ma. Posts: 685	No One??

04/24/2014, 09:30 PM	#4
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	It will work to an extent. It is not even close to an up flow reactor in terms of efficiency and you will use more GFO than you would in a reactor. You can get a Phosban 150 reactor & pump for $60-$70 so your not really saving money. If you use your canister I would use a pump with moderate flow as you need good contact time with the media. You will need to keep the sponges or floss pads clean to deter nitrates but I'd bet twice a week changes aren't needed unless you have a really high bio load. Personally it sounds like a hassle & I'd persoanally do a GFO reactor with bagged carbon since they do exhaust at different rates if you have the space & can spend the money.