GFO help!

johnyboy · May 20, 2015

I got a phosphate reactor and I want to know the easiest way to change the gfo without getting it in the water. When I put the new gfo I know I have to run it until it runs clear. Is there another way I can do that? Because it literally take like 10 gallons of water out of my tank before it runs clear. Can I just run it under tap water in a sifter? Please help. I hate when I takes all that water out of my tank because it's so much work.

mr_bigl · May 20, 2015

That is the perfect time to do a water change.

Downbeach · May 20, 2015

I used to replace/rinse my GFO during a WC, so I was going to change the water anyway. What brand of GFO are you using? It never took me more than two gallons for it to run clear; I was using BRS HC.

hejjo · May 21, 2015

Don't use tap use rodi water. I keep it in the container that holds in n run about 3/4 a gallon Of rodi through it.

Waters · May 21, 2015

As everybody else stated, I change mine the same time I do a water change. Just let the ro/di run into a bucket.....when it is clear, put the outlet tube back into your sump and replace the water taken out with new saltwater.

cginter · May 21, 2015

10 gallons? What kind of gfo and how much are you using? At the very most I use about a half gallon of water till it runs clear, using bra high capacity stuff

Up2no6ood · May 21, 2015

I dump my gfo into a stainless mesh coffee filter and run it under the tap for a few min.

CoralClark · May 21, 2015

I rinse mine in tap, then run maybe a cup of tank water through it before putting outlet back in sump. No issues for me.

drernesto · May 21, 2015

You're wasting your GFO when running tap water to it. The media will get saturated with phosphates from your tap water instead of the water of your tank. If you can wash it with RO.

Downbeach · May 21, 2015

After replacing the media, I would place the discharge tube from the reactor into a bucket and run the reactor using the DT water, until the water runs clear during a WC.

reptileguy112 · May 21, 2015

I got a gfo yesterday and I'm still figuring it out

hejjo · May 21, 2015

reptileguy112 said:
I got a gfo yesterday and I'm still figuring it out

Bulk reef supply has some videos that break it down for you and show you how to run it. When first starting out its wise to start with half the recommended dose so that you don't strip it out right away and slowly reduce your phosphate lvls. They also have a calculator on their website for how much to use.