Carbon/GFO reactors - use them?

[mfollen]

Hey everyone!

I was curious to see who here runs GFO and/or carbon reactors in their aquariums and it's impact on zoa growth.

Do you find it beneficial? If so, how do you run yours (mix/ratio/recommended amount of GSP/carbon)


My phosphates can run high time to time and Ive been toying around with the idea of adding one.

Thanks!

 

[Budman's Corals]

Hey everyone!

I was curious to see who here runs GFO and/or carbon reactors in their aquariums and it's impact on zoa growth.

Do you find it beneficial? If so, how do you run yours (mix/ratio/recommended amount of GSP/carbon)


My phosphates can run high time to time and Ive been toying around with the idea of adding one.

Thanks!

Wouldnt run a tank without it...Get the dual reactor from BRS and you will be happy

 

[mfollen]

Yea, I was looking at their reactors. Considering picking one up this weekend.

I did some googling in regards to reactor's impact on zoas and there seemed to be mixed reports on the importance with the growth of zoas.

Considering it's importance for all other corals (sps, etc.) I think I'm going to jump on board.

Anyone else with any input/experience?

Thanks!

 

[Budman's Corals]

Yea, I was looking at their reactors. Considering picking one up this weekend.

I did some googling in regards to reactor's impact on zoas and there seemed to be mixed reports on the importance with the growth of zoas.

Considering it's importance for all other corals (sps, etc.) I think I'm going to jump on board.

Anyone else with any input/experience?

Thanks!

I think Zoas need (what i say a little dirtier water) the sps but u can always adjust the media and use less amount to get the Phosphates where you want them,I been holding my Phos below .02 for 6 months and my zoas are doing fine,I do spot feed them like twice a week,Plus I vodka dose and feed my fish very heavy...but still nitrates at 0 Good luck Im sure other will chime in

 

[mfollen]

Ok sounds good.

I'll prob run a single canister with both GFO and carbon at a lower amount then.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Ike]

I would suggest against the dual reactor if you have space for two reactors. The flow through GFO in order to make it tumble is more flow than you want for GAC. I personally run GFO most of the month and then will run GAC for a few days each time I change out my GFO.

 

[Aqua fire/medic]

I would suggest against the dual reactor if you have space for two reactors. The flow through GFO in order to make it tumble is more flow than you want for GAC. I personally run GFO most of the month and then will run GAC for a few days each time I change out my GFO.

Suggest against or for dual reactors?

 

[Budman's Corals]

I would suggest against the dual reactor if you have space for two reactors. The flow through GFO in order to make it tumble is more flow than you want for GAC. I personally run GFO most of the month and then will run GAC for a few days each time I change out my GFO.

BUT, IF your running very little GFO you will have no problem with tumbling,also that stuff dont have to tumble that much,only reason for the tumble is to keep it from sticking or clumping together, either way I wouldnt rely on gfo to hold the phosphates down,Less feeding and regular water changes should be enough to keep it down..gfo is just a there to help.IMO

 

[Mike J.]

I've used this reactor for over a year now. I mix the GFO 2/3, carbon 1/3 and only fill the reactor about half full and change it every three weeks.

BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor ? Deluxe - Bulk Reef Supply

 

[TopNotchCorals]

I would suggest against the dual reactor if you have space for two reactors. The flow through GFO in order to make it tumble is more flow than you want for GAC. I personally run GFO most of the month and then will run GAC for a few days each time I change out my GFO.

I agree, gfo needs a light tumble and carbon needs high flow. I never understood the dual reactor and have always ran singles.

 

[pam0630]

why run these reactors............

 

[mfollen]

Hmmm..

So we have a recommendation for higher flow for carbon, and another I believe is that the flow required to tumble GFO is too much for carbon?


Does the performance difference between a single canister vs a dual make that much of a difference with carbon getting the higher flow it needs?
Or does the single canister with the right mix of GFO/GAC offer a sound solution for a zoanthid/light SPS system?

Either way, the single deluxe vs the dual are the same in price it seems.

 

[Budman's Corals]

Hmmm..

So we have a recommendation for higher flow for carbon, and another I believe is that the flow required to tumble GFO is too much for carbon?


Does the performance difference between a single canister vs a dual make that much of a difference with carbon getting the higher flow it needs?
Or does the single canister with the right mix of GFO/GAC offer a sound solution for a zoanthid/light SPS system?

Either way, the single deluxe vs the dual are the same in price it seems.

Everyone will have there own opinion ,I'm just saying ive been running the dual for 2 years and never had a problem with flow,also never had a problem with phosphates and been running the ROX carbon since,Water stays crystal clear..I never tried mixing the 2 so I cant tell ya how that works.

 

[nater]

i ran a brs dual reactor on my prior 220 and now my new 200. i use brs gfo in first chamber and brs rox carbon in the second. never had any issues with this. works , and works well. i use a maxijet 1200 on it and i could probably use a 900 instead.

 

[AZDesertRat]

The Spectrapure dual reactor allows you to adjust each chamber individually without affecting the other so is better. GFO and carbon have both different useful lives and different flow requirememts if you want to get your moneys worth out of them without wasting one or the other or stretching one past its useful life. Dual Chamber Media Reactor

 

[Budman's Corals]

The Spectrapure dual reactor allows you to adjust each chamber individually without affecting the other so is better. GFO and carbon have both different useful lives and different flow requirememts if you want to get your moneys worth out of them without wasting one or the other or stretching one past its useful life. Dual Chamber Media Reactor

Is that new or just no reviews yet.

btw my RO/Di system works like a champ cause of you..
Cant thank ya enough

 

[mfollen]

Budman,

I agree about the spectrapure RO unit. I did some research and AZD hooked up the info and my unit is working great!

AZDesertRat,

Does that Spectrapure Dual Chamber come with a pump?

 

[Raptor72]

The BRS dual reactor with carbon and GFO is what finally got rid of my annoying GHA problem with that I had been battling for 9 months. I run it with a light load now and wouldn't run my tank without it.

 

[AZDesertRat]

The Spectrapure dual reactor has been out about a year I believe. It does not come with a pump but smething like a MaxiJet powerhead is perfect.

 

[spscrazy]

MR-Dual reactors alone MR-Dual P/PM comes with maxi jet 1200 MR-Dual M/PM comes with carbon & GFO just looked it up I liked the idea of a dual reactor but didn't like the fact you couldn't control them separately didn't know spectrapure had one you could control thanks rat for the info will be getting one of these