GFO bleeding through mesh bag

[SauceyReef]

Is this normal? Or do I need to get a finer mesh. If so what micron should I be getting?

Took these photos after spraying it down with RODI water for a couple minutes.

 

[Saltyreef]

That bag is fine enough and that amount coming through is normal if you arent as gentle as a marshmellow with it. I rinse mine in a bag for 10-15 seconds without disturbing it until it runs clear then use it in the reactor.
If it tumbles, it will continue to shed.

 

[kevgib67]

Mine does that, I just think it is dust that you are supposed to rinse off, similar to when you rinse activated carbon.

 

[SauceyReef]

Thank you! Thing is I was rinsing it for like 1-2 mins before I took the picture of what dripped out. I think I could rinse this stuff forever and it would keep breaking up little particles.

 

[SauceyReef]

No matter how much I rinse it a significant amount of gfo particles keeps making it through. If I let it dry in the filter sock it falls through when I shake it similar to salt or powdered sugar.

 

[dadnjesse]

That bag looks fine enough in the picture. I run mine in a reactor and I put in a fresh gallon of salt water then let the reactor run in a bucket and take out the gallon while flushing, after that I don't even look at it.

 

[SauceyReef]

I’m just worried because a significant amount is still falling out after rinsing for a while. What is the consequence of the GFO powder / granules getting into my tank?

 

[SauceyReef]

Bump

 

[Steven w]

What brand of GFO are you using?

 

[SauceyReef]

What brand of GFO are you using?

ROWA GFO

 

[Gribbles]

ROWA GFO

I experienced the same problem with BRS bags. They insisted nobody ever brought that up and they hadn't heard of it happening.

For now I use an Aquaforest bag, rinse the GFO real well and try not to crush it or anything. Gentle.

 

[SauceyReef]

I experienced the same problem with BRS bags. They insisted nobody ever brought that up and they hadn't heard of it happening.

For now I use an Aquaforest bag, rinse the GFO real well and try not to crush it or anything. Gentle.

It sounds like this is a common problem.

Again I just want to be sure this is not going to damage my tank. I guess I should just try to find a thinner micron mesh. Anyone have any suggestions??

 

[Saltyreef]

It sounds like this is a common problem.

Again I just want to be sure this is not going to damage my tank. I guess I should just try to find a thinner micron mesh. Anyone have any suggestions??

Its a common problem when you arent gentle enough with it.

It happens to all brands of GFO.

You are over thinking it, the bag is fine.

Hold it gently under the tap until the dark red runs out, then proceed to use it.

If you are that worried about a very very small non negligible amount making it out of the reactor, put some more mechanical filter media on the reactors effluent.

 

[SauceyReef]

Its a common problem when you arent gentle enough with it.

It happens to all brands of GFO.

You are over thinking it, the bag is fine.

Hold it gently under the tap until the dark red runs out, then proceed to use it.

If you are that worried about a very very small non negligible amount making it out of the reactor, put some more mechanical filter media on the reactors effluent.

Okay thanks for calming me down. I just wanted to be sure this was not going to cause some problems.

 

[noelskii]

If it was bad for our tank; no one would be putting it near their tanks, especially not inside the tank. Anyway, if you really need to use GFO, the best and most efficient way to use it would be through a media reactor.

 

[X-37B]

I run Phosgaurd when needed for the last 5 or so years.
I have no interest in going back to gfo.
Just another option you can look at.

 

[SauceyReef]

I run Phosgaurd when needed for the last 5 or so years.
I have no interest in going back to gfo.
Just another option you can look at.

I was using phosguard and was recommended not to use it because an added material - I think Aluminum?

 

[SauceyReef]

If it was bad for our tank; no one would be putting it near their tanks, especially not inside the tank. Anyway, if you really need to use GFO, the best and most efficient way to use it would be through a media reactor.

This is for a fluval evo I feel like a reactor would be kind of overkill for such a small tank.

 

[X-37B]

I was using phosguard and was recommended not to use it because an added material - I think Aluminum?

Yea I have used it for years no issues. No high aluminum on ipc tests so I dont worry about it.
I do only use po4 reducing media when/if needed.
I have used for months in the past with no issues.

 

[SauceyReef]

Yea I have used it for years no issues. No high aluminum on ipc tests so I dont worry about it.
I do only use po4 reducing media when/if needed.
I have used for months in the past with no issues.

My biggest issue with it was that it seemed inconsistent in the removal, and got used up very fast. For the first 1-3 days it would shoot my phosphate down even with a very small amount in the mesh bag. Than it would very fast raise back up. I could never figure exactly how much I needed for a gradual decrease. Not sure if GFO will be similar as I have never used it.

Coincidentally I just got my ICP test back, and I have slightly elevated aluminum levels.