GFO Blast!

Bumgrundle · Mar 27, 2016

Brand new setup on a 90g using a BRS GFO/Carbon reactor. Somehow, I had the valve on full for about 4 hrs after filling tank. Needless to say, I now have a very cloudy tank, and micro filters that are brown. Is this at all an issue? I mean should I do a 50% or full water change? or just will it sort itself out over time? I have since stopped running the reactor altogether. (I was going by the "Run whatever you intend on running from the get-go" theory)
Thanx in advance.

briancarterkc · Mar 27, 2016

I would imagine the brown in the filter is just GFO dust. I'd turn the reactor back on (maybe on half) and not worry too much at this point. Next time make sure you rinse your GFO thoroughly before turning it on.

Waters · Mar 28, 2016

As brian stated, it is probably the dust from the GFO. Was the media rinsed prior to using? Also, definitely dial back the flow through the reactor. Although you never stated, I assume you are running strictly GFO? If so, the flow should be turned down until the GFO is dancing on the surface...not tumbling until it grinds into dust. Running it during the cycle isn't the issue.

PatW · Mar 28, 2016

On my GFO reactor, I pipe the water from the reactor to dump out right above my filter socks. For good measure, the end of he pie has its own filter sock. I figure that passing through 2 layers of 200 micron filter socks will trap most of the particles that come out of the reactor.

Diesel · Mar 29, 2016

Did you cycle the tank before you ran carbon and GFO?

Bumgrundle · Apr 10, 2016

Diesel said:
Did you cycle the tank before you ran carbon and GFO?

Actually no, i'm doing it the old school way...curing Live rock, and cycling at the same time. The wife was not having it with a 55g and a 40g set of cans in the mud/laundry room =)

Well, it's a lil' over a week now. My Ammonia = 0, Nitrite = 0.1, nitrate = 20, Alk = 8, PH = 8.0. The water is crystal clear. Octo is picking up skimmate, not much but maybe 1/4 of an inch in the cup having run for just 3 days now.
I did not do as the manufacture said, and run the skimmer full open for 3 weeks...reason being, right outta the gate it was pushing, ever so slightly, light brown bubbles.

I am running the GFO/GAC "reactor" 1/4 open and 24/7. (The GFO and GAC are both on a dual reactor. I can remove the GFO if y'all think my numbers warrant it?
Not planing on a cleaner crew till my numbers come down.

Question; Should I be waiting to put in a crew @ .0 Nitrates? or I read better to have some Nitrates like max .20? If it's .20, i don't get that, should be Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitratres @ Zero....correct? And thanx for all the replies!! I feel welcome here =)

Bumgrundle · Apr 10, 2016

Yep, I rinsed the reactor, both GFO and Carbon into a gal container till it was coming out clear. My problem, at the time was I left it run wide open, and the pump they recommended was a 300gph, so it was slamming the GFO...all sussed now =) I was just worried I would have the fines all in the tank indefinitely. Also, the Orig pump sounded like a coffee grinder! I replaced it with an Ehiem 250gph. Quiet as a church mouse =)

Reef Junky150 · Apr 10, 2016

PatW said:
On my GFO reactor, I pipe the water from the reactor to dump out right above my filter socks. For good measure, the end of he pie has its own filter sock. I figure that passing through 2 layers of 200 micron filter socks will trap most of the particles that come out of the reactor.

I use filter socks at the outlet of my reactor as well. I just change it whenever I change the main sock to keep from building nitrates.

Diesel · Apr 10, 2016

With having no corals it really doesn't matter where your No3's are.
Bringing it a bit down to 5 should do no harm.
Once you add corals you really want to stay at 5 with your No3 but some run it as high as 10 or higher.
My self with a lot of SPS like to be at 5 or below but not lower than 3.
I would wait a week still for any livestock include a CUC.
Did you go through your diatom bloom already?

Bumgrundle · Apr 10, 2016

Reef Junky150 said:
I use filter socks at the outlet of my reactor as well. I just change it whenever I change the main sock to keep from building nitrates.

Right on! I a few weeks, money is just GONE! lol, i'm adding an ATO, i'll be moving the reactor out of the bottom stand, i'll get a sock on the Reactor return as you suggested....thanx for the input!

Reef Junky150 · Apr 10, 2016

Not saying it's right but it's a just in case or piece of mind if any debris leaves the reactor the sock will catch it. My reactor is diy and doesn't use sponges so I feel better having the sock.

Bumgrundle · Apr 10, 2016

Diesel said:
With having no corals it really doesn't matter where your No3's are.
Bringing it a bit down to 5 should do no harm.
Once you add corals you really want to stay at 5 with your No3 but some run it as high as 10 or higher.
My self with a lot of SPS like to be at 5 or below but not lower than 3.
I would wait a week still for any livestock include a CUC.
Did you go through your diatom bloom already?

Thanx for the speedy reply mate!
Cool, now I have a solid goal for No3.
No to any bloom at all....Had I read
The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium
I would have know this! I'm embarrassed to admit I did not read that full thread until now >,<
So i'm gonna wait till the bloom is in it's last stage to add mu CuC.
Thanx again Diesel!

Bumgrundle · Apr 10, 2016

Reef Junky150 said:
Not saying it's right but it's a just in case or piece of mind if any debris leaves the reactor the sock will catch it. My reactor is diy and doesn't use sponges so I feel better having the sock.

Well said. I have the BRS reactor setup, so I do have sponges etc... BUT I agree ya can't have too much filtration, esp if something goes amiss with a pump, or valve etc..

Bumgrundle · Apr 10, 2016

Ok, so yeah, this is gonna sound corny as hell but, I've had some really bad life setbacks over the last 10yrs, mostly medical issues. And finally pulling the trigger on this Reef setup, I really feel Alive, excited, and content all in one fell swoop! Heh

Reef Junky150 · Apr 14, 2016

Bumgrundle said:
Ok, so yeah, this is gonna sound corny as hell but, I've had some really bad life setbacks over the last 10yrs, mostly medical issues. And finally pulling the trigger on this Reef setup, I really feel Alive, excited, and content all in one fell swoop! Heh

That's great, keep enjoying it and don't let anything from patience, setbacks big or small discourage you. It's trying sometimes but very enjoyable the majority. [emoji2]