Carbon Reactor why or why not?

[Davy Jones]

Hello, My tank appears to have a build up of "stuff" and i think its contributing to the algea growth. My p04 reads 0 on the hanna checker but i think thats cause the algea in the display is using it up. I believe it is leaching from my dry pukani rock (in the tank for about 1.5 months now.) as well as organic build up.
I plan on getting another powerhead to help with waterflow and build up. But i think i also need to run a carbon reactor (mixed with GFO, I do not have room for 2 separate reactors, just wont fit anywhere.) My questions what are the pros and cons of both?
My limited understanding is that carbon will pull organics out of the water, some trace elements, and other impurities.
GFO Pulls phosphate.

I know people reccomend to use one, or the other, or both or neither. Just would like your opinion on the matter!

Thanks!

 

[Lynn52]

I have run a BRS dual reactor on my 125 since May. It made a huge difference in my algae issues.
On Friday I took advantage of BRS's door buster where I got a single reactor for my 40b. Just installed it today with a 1:3 mixture of GFO to Carbon. I hope it helps with algae in that tank as well.

 

[Davy Jones]

I think I'm gonna get the BRS mini with a mj1200. I think I will do high capacity gfo and rox .8 carbon in it.

But my question is what are the pros and cons to chemical filtration?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I use both carbon (GAC) and GFO 24/7.

There are not many cons to GAC if your use an acid washed carbon like the ROX 0.8. Cheaper brands may lead to issues, such as possibly HLLE in tangs. I do not consider binding of trace metals to be a concern.

For the pros, GAC removes organic matter quite effectively, reducing the yellowing of the water. It can also help export excessive trace metals such as copper since many of these metals are bound to organics that bind to the GAC. It may help reduce organic toxins in the water.

GFO can reduce phosphate (good) or reduce it too much (bad). It also reduces silicate, and I add silicate for sponges. `It exports organics a bit. It adds iron (good in most cases, but maybe not all) and can lead to increased precipitation of calcium carbonate on it and just downstream of it (which can be a pain and can increase the apparent demand for calcium and alkalinity).

 

[Downbeach]

How big is your system? Just make sure the Mini will hold enough media for your needs. I would thoroughly mix the GAC and GFO at a ratio of about 2-3 parts GAC to on part of GFO(if needed), this will help to keep the GFO from clumping. I would also run the reactor in reverse to keep the media from any tumbling, keeping the GFO from grinding the GAC into dust.

 

[Davy Jones]

I use both carbon (GAC) and GFO 24/7.

There are not many cons to GAC if your use an acid washed carbon like the ROX 0.8. Cheaper brands may lead to issues, such as possibly HLLE in tangs. I do not consider binding of trace metals to be a concern.

For the pros, GAC removes organic matter quite effectively, reducing the yellowing of the water. It can also help export excessive trace metals such as copper since many of these metals are bound to organics that bind to the GAC. It may help reduce organic toxins in the water.

GFO can reduce phosphate (good) or reduce it too much (bad). It also reduces silicate, and I add silicate for sponges. `It exports organics a bit. It adds iron (good in most cases, but maybe not all) and can lead to increased precipitation of calcium carbonate on it and just downstream of it (which can be a pain and can increase the apparent demand for calcium and alkalinity).

Wonderful! that cleared up some concerns i had about it stripping the water too much and killing corals. (i plan on starting with about 1/3 recommended amount for the first week/2, then 2/3, then the full recommended amount.)

How big is your system? Just make sure the Mini will hold enough media for your needs. I would thoroughly mix the GAC and GFO at a ratio of about 2-3 parts GAC to on part of GFO(if needed), this will help to keep the GFO from clumping. I would also run the reactor in reverse to keep the media from any tumbling, keeping the GFO from grinding the GAC into dust.

I have a 65 gallon system before displacement. So im going to estimate about 55 gallons of water total. Give or take some.