carbon and GFO

[canadianeh]

I am setting up a new tank (please check out my build thread ). I want to run them using Aquamaxx media reactor XS size and I wonder how much tablespoon I need to put in? Should I use filter media socks with it?

My goal is to minimize any algae problem and keep water crystal clear. I figure if I start running GFO from beginning even in small amount, it will minimize any algae problem down the road (if there will be any). And maybe increase the amount when I start feeding

 

[NS Mike D]

zero NO3 and PO4 can lead to bigger problems. I suggest no gfo until you can test for PO4 with a reliable test kit (not API).

Use GFO with caution and start slow

 

[canadianeh]

zero NO3 and PO4 can lead to bigger problems. I suggest no gfo until you can test for PO4 with a reliable test kit (not API).

Use GFO with caution and start slow

how about carbon?

 

[NS Mike D]

how about carbon?

I like activate carbon. I view it as insurance, especially against coral chemical warfare, as it pulls toxins out of the water, and it clears the water.

It does remove dissolved organics which helps with nutrients.

 

[dwest]

Agree. No GFO for sure. I use carbon. Some people don’t. I use 1/2 cup on my 180 gallon tank and replace every 2 weeks.

 

[canadianeh]

my tank is red sea reefer 250 which is 65 gallon total system. How much carbon I put in if I want to use regularly? Is there a formula? I checked their website and it does not say. I just bought polylab activated carbon high performance. Should I use it with nylon bag?

 

[dwest]

my tank is red sea reefer 250 which is 65 gallon total system. How much carbon I put in if I want to use regularly? Is there a formula? I checked their website and it does not say. I just bought polylab activated carbon high performance. Should I use it with nylon bag?

There is a calculator on BRS that I use for their ROX carbon. You might check that out. If nothing else, I would use 1/4 cup replaced every 2 weeks. I place mine in a nylon bag in the sump. Others use it in a “reactor”. I’ve done both ways but use the passive way for simplicity and ease of replacement.

 

[canadianeh]

There is a calculator on BRS that I use for their ROX carbon. You might check that out. If nothing else, I would use 1/4 cup replaced every 2 weeks. I place mine in a nylon bag in the sump. Others use it in a “reactor”. I’ve done both ways but use the passive way for simplicity and ease of replacement.

Don't they need to tumble around to work? If I have two replace it every 2 weeks, I would rather leave it in a sump and not reactor I guess.

 

[dwest]

Don't they need to tumble around to work? If I have two replace it every 2 weeks, I would rather leave it in a sump and not reactor I guess.

It doesn’t have to tumble. I would rather it not tumble because it might grind up some and release fines into the water.

I change mine every 2 weeks, but others replace it on a longer basis, monthly for example. I have read studies where carbon is most often used up in a few days. Since your tank is new, monthly might be good for you.

There is no “have to” with carbon. It mainly removes yellowing substances in the water, and chemicals from coral warfare. I use it mainly to remove toxins from dinos that I had in the past and the other reasons I mentioned.

some good reading

GAC

So what's the rundown on GAC. Should I run it all the time in a mixed reef? What is the downside?

www.reef2reef.com

 

[X-37B]

I did not use carbon in my 120 for the first 9 months. I then setup a old nano reactor that holds 1 1/4 cup of Rox carbon. Water is much clearer now. I will replace once a month.

 

[SMSREEF]

I use rox carbon in all my tanks. I use a bag for it and hang it in the filter or sump in a higher flow section. I replace every 2 to 4 weeks based on water quality, any smell, or if I think there is chemical that may need to be removed.

I used GFO in the past and messed up my tank lowering phosphate too much. I no longer use it.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

I would use roughly half a cup to start. It’s usually 1/4-1/2 per 50 gallons. I use 1/2 on my 45. I agree that you don’t need gfo at first. I use gfo after my phosphates started to creep because I couldn’t do wc’s multiple times a week. The carbon does not need to tumble but I would definitely get a reactor.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, gfo is perfectly fine to use when used in an appropriate amount for the situation.

But I wouldn't use it unless and until you determine that it is needed based on testing of phosphate levels. I would not blindly use it as phosphate too low is worse than phosphate too high.

 

[canadianeh]

lots of good advice from experienced people. Thanks guys

Is there any best carbon out there? I got poly lab. are they very good?

 

[X-37B]

ROX from BRS. I dont even rinse it. Cleaner than most and a little goes along way.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

ROX from BRS. I dont even rinse it. Cleaner than most and a little goes along way.

Rox is good. They’re all about the same imo.

 

[glendale789]

I use 1/3 cup BRS ROX and 1/4 cup Seachem PhosGuard, alternating per tablespoon, in my 40 breeder. I recirc through the IM MiniMax and change out both every 7 days. I test weekly and this keeps my water clear and my phosphates have been between 0.06 and 0.04 since I switched from lanthanum chloride dosing a few months back.