How Do You Run Your Gfo?

[Josh]

I currently have my GFO in a HOB filter in a bag. I realize this is less than ideal. I am looking to add a reactor. So my questions are this:

1) how do you guys run your GFO - Reactor vs sock vs bag
2) In the reactor do you put the GFO in a bag first or just let it sit freely? Do you have a prefilter or a post filter to keep any GFO from making its way to the tank?
3) 1 tbsp / 10 gallons? (i have High Cap GFO)
4) Do you add anything else in the reactor like carbon? (yes i know they exhaust at different rates)
5) how often do you change your GFO, Do you test phosphates on the inlet vs outlet or do you simply just change after X weeks
6)Have you noticed that your alk seems to dip due to the GFO? If so did you adjust your dosing (if you have a doser) to adjust for it?

Thanks for any info!

 

[Salty Cracker]

I have 2 reactors, first with carbon, second with gfo. They run on and off randomly during the day (hydro savings). On the output of the last reactor I have a mesh bag to catch anything that gets out. Change once per month, or less if using hi-cap. Alk is always dosed based on testing. Carbon is compressed in reactor and does not move, gfo tumbles. The results are good water clarity and awesome sps.

 

[zoomster]

Hi Josh!
I run the GFO in both my tanks through a media reactor. The two little fishes 150 and 550 are both economical and work very well IMO.
You only want the top of the gfo to be "tumbling" and it should not look like its boiling.

Hope this helps you Josh!

 

[zoomster]

As for changing the GFO, what I do is when doing my regular water test / changes if I see the PO4 is just starting to show some colour, I change it out.
( I always keep at least one full change of carbon, GFO, DI resin ect on hand for spur of the moment changes. I believe it to be a good Idea.)
And no, do not use it in a media bag but, you should use a foam top ring in the reactor.

Again, hope this helps you Josh.

 

[Josh]

Going for a single reactor i think. What kind of flow rates do you guys push through the reactor?
I had a two little fishies and the cap basically welded shut. I had to crack it open. I think i will be going a different style this time

 

[Salty Cracker]

I've had 2 of the phosban reactors for 5+ years, lids are fine, BUT there are thin flat rings in the lid that can come out and get lost (not the rubber gasket) and I hear if those are gone the lids can get stuck.