what does a gfo reactor do?

JMorris271 · 05/28/2014, 07:21 PM

Please tell me what is the purpose of using a GfO/ carbon reactor . How do you know if your system needs one? Thanks

degibson84 · 05/28/2014, 07:23 PM

GFO removes phosphates. If your system has phosphates use GFO to remove it.

JMorris271 · 05/28/2014, 07:33 PM

Doesn't a skimmer do that?

triggreef · 05/28/2014, 07:35 PM

Yes but gfo removes more if your skimmer doesn't keep up. Or if your like me and don't run skimmers.

JMorris271 · 05/28/2014, 07:37 PM

THANKS. Could I run calcium instead. I am going to do coral once the tank is cycled.

bobbravo2 · 05/28/2014, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMorris271

THANKS. Could I run calcium instead. I am going to do coral once the tank is cycled.

No. GFO reactors are a completely different function from a calcium reactor.

GFO = Remove phosphates
Ca = Add Carbonate & Calcium

JMorris271 · 05/28/2014, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbravo2

No. GFO reactors are a completely different function from a calcium reactor.

GFO = Remove phosphates
Ca = Add Carbonate & Calcium

I sure don't want to duplicate processes and be redundant. If I purchased a dual chamber reactor, what media would help any mixed tank the most?

ca1ore · 05/28/2014, 08:36 PM

The term 'reactor' is used rather indiscriminately in this hobby of ours. I'd actually argue that a calcium reactor is one of the few correct applications of the term where a calcerous media is allowed to react with low pH water (via CO2 diffusion) to release hardness into the tank. Although putting GFO or GAC into a contained media cylinder is by far the best way to utilize these media, they aren't really reactors.

Anyhow, a skimmer will remove organics from the water that would otherwise form phosphate and nitrate, but it will do nothing for already existing phosphate or nitrate. Removal of thes compounds, should they accumulate to problematic levels, is done via water changes, algal scrubbers or chemical media. I run a cylinder of GFO and one with GAC because I feed my tank A LOT. Suggest you measure phosphate levels to see if you need to go the GFO route.

ReefingWerewolf · 05/28/2014, 08:43 PM

As they said gfo (Granular Ferric Oxide) helps control phosphate's.

JMorris271 · 05/28/2014, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

The term 'reactor' is used rather indiscriminately in this hobby of ours. I'd actually argue that a calcium reactor is one of the few correct applications of the term where a calcerous media is allowed to react with low pH water (via CO2 diffusion) to release hardness into the tank. Although putting GFO or GAC into a contained media cylinder is by far the best way to utilize these media, they aren't really reactors.

Anyhow, a skimmer will remove organics from the water that would otherwise form phosphate and nitrate, but it will do nothing for already existing phosphate or nitrate. Removal of thes compounds, should they accumulate to problematic levels, is done via water changes, algal scrubbers or chemical media. I run a cylinder of GFO and one with GAC because I feed my tank A LOT. Suggest you measure phosphate levels to see if you need to go the GFO route.

I sort of figured that out about the universal use of Reactor. I guess it sounds cool.
I don't have a system yet. I am building a 75 gal mixed tank so I cannot measure anything. But was thinking about Gfo and carbon in a dual reactor. What is GAC?

ca1ore · 05/28/2014, 09:01 PM

Sorry, GAC = granular activated carbon = carbon

or, maybe it's granulated ...

Robb in Austin · 05/28/2014, 09:26 PM

Once you have your tank up and running I'd recommend you just run a skimmer and do water changes (smaller weekly or larger every 2-4 weeks). Your tank will go through an algae cycle and the GFO wont help. It's part of the normal tank cycle IMO.

At some point, 12 months plus down the line, it might be appropriate to run one. It will depend on what the goal of your tank is. SPS dominate? Yep, you'll need one. Mixed tank? Maybe.

JMorris271 · 05/28/2014, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robb in Austin

Once you have your tank up and running I'd recommend you just run a skimmer and do water changes (smaller weekly or larger every 2-4 weeks). Your tank will go through an algae cycle and the GFO wont help. It's part of the normal tank cycle IMO.

At some point, 12 months plus down the line, it might be appropriate to run one. It will depend on what the goal of your tank is. SPS dominate? Yep, you'll need one. Mixed tank? Maybe.

When or rather what would be an indicator that carbon is needed

Notquiterite · 05/28/2014, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMorris271

When or rather what would be an indicator that carbon is needed

I would probably also run carbon once the cycle is complete, or even once you start adding livestock. It helps with removing toxins that some corals produce and other impurities as well as keeping the water clear and odor free.

bobbravo2 · 05/29/2014, 07:59 AM

Cloudy water is a good indication that you should run carbon.

JMorris271 · 05/29/2014, 11:04 AM

Isn't it a good practice to run carbon all the time?

SloppyJ · 05/29/2014, 11:21 AM

A lot of people run carbon and GFO all of the time. Yes.

bobbravo2 · 05/29/2014, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloppyj

a lot of people run carbon and gfo all of the time. Yes.

+1

brob22 · 05/29/2014, 04:10 PM

some people have better luck than others with gfo reactors.
me personaly i love them, it helped me get my life back on track

Chillywilly1993 · 08/26/2018, 02:01 PM

Basically, they remove phosphates. Useful things to be honest, bit more about them and a couple recommendations here - https://www.fishtankbank.com/gfo-reactor/

bobbravo2 · 08/26/2018, 07:05 PM

https://goo.gl/oHe2EX
Urban Dictionary: Necroposting

05/28/2014, 07:21 PM	#1
JMorris271 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Foothills of SC Posts: 2,010	what does a gfo reactor do? Please tell me what is the purpose of using a GfO/ carbon reactor . How do you know if your system needs one? Thanks

05/28/2014, 08:36 PM	#8
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	The term 'reactor' is used rather indiscriminately in this hobby of ours. I'd actually argue that a calcium reactor is one of the few correct applications of the term where a calcerous media is allowed to react with low pH water (via CO2 diffusion) to release hardness into the tank. Although putting GFO or GAC into a contained media cylinder is by far the best way to utilize these media, they aren't really reactors. Anyhow, a skimmer will remove organics from the water that would otherwise form phosphate and nitrate, but it will do nothing for already existing phosphate or nitrate. Removal of thes compounds, should they accumulate to problematic levels, is done via water changes, algal scrubbers or chemical media. I run a cylinder of GFO and one with GAC because I feed my tank A LOT. Suggest you measure phosphate levels to see if you need to go the GFO route. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

05/28/2014, 09:01 PM	#11
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Sorry, GAC = granular activated carbon = carbon or, maybe it's granulated ... __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

05/29/2014, 07:59 AM	#15
bobbravo2 Reef Addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 967	Cloudy water is a good indication that you should run carbon. __________________ Bob G. - O.R.C.A Member Current Tank Info: 65 Gallon \| Radion Pro G3 \| MP40 \| MP10 \| Apex \| Jaebo DC9000 \| KNOP Calcium Reactor \| Mated Picasso Clowns \| Mix of LPS, SPS and Softies

08/26/2018, 07:05 PM	#21
bobbravo2 Reef Addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 967	https://goo.gl/oHe2EX Urban Dictionary: Necroposting __________________ Bob G. - O.R.C.A Member Current Tank Info: 65 Gallon \| Radion Pro G3 \| MP40 \| MP10 \| Apex \| Jaebo DC9000 \| KNOP Calcium Reactor \| Mated Picasso Clowns \| Mix of LPS, SPS and Softies

05/28/2014, 07:23 PM	#2
degibson84 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 2,393	GFO removes phosphates. If your system has phosphates use GFO to remove it.

05/28/2014, 07:33 PM	#3
JMorris271 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Foothills of SC Posts: 2,010	Doesn't a skimmer do that?

05/28/2014, 07:35 PM	#4
triggreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Hampton, CT Posts: 2,917	Yes but gfo removes more if your skimmer doesn't keep up. Or if your like me and don't run skimmers.

05/28/2014, 07:37 PM	#5
JMorris271 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Foothills of SC Posts: 2,010	THANKS. Could I run calcium instead. I am going to do coral once the tank is cycled.

05/28/2014, 08:43 PM	#9
ReefingWerewolf Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 358	As they said gfo (Granular Ferric Oxide) helps control phosphate's.

05/28/2014, 09:26 PM	#12
Robb in Austin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgetown, Tx Posts: 1,016	Once you have your tank up and running I'd recommend you just run a skimmer and do water changes (smaller weekly or larger every 2-4 weeks). Your tank will go through an algae cycle and the GFO wont help. It's part of the normal tank cycle IMO. At some point, 12 months plus down the line, it might be appropriate to run one. It will depend on what the goal of your tank is. SPS dominate? Yep, you'll need one. Mixed tank? Maybe.

05/29/2014, 11:04 AM	#16
JMorris271 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Foothills of SC Posts: 2,010	Isn't it a good practice to run carbon all the time?

05/29/2014, 11:21 AM	#17
SloppyJ Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Centerton, Arkansas Posts: 322	A lot of people run carbon and GFO all of the time. Yes.

05/29/2014, 04:10 PM	#19
brob22 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,114	some people have better luck than others with gfo reactors. me personaly i love them, it helped me get my life back on track

08/26/2018, 02:01 PM	#20
Chillywilly1993 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 7	Basically, they remove phosphates. Useful things to be honest, bit more about them and a couple recommendations here - https://www.fishtankbank.com/gfo-reactor/