GFO media

[LetItReef]

Hello,

I will be using a reactor and not sure what GFO media are good. Any recomendations/tips? Thank you.

 

[chrisl10]

BRS has great stuff look it up on their site they have several versions and they also have videos that show you how to use etc.

 

[Waters]

I agree.....the high capacity GFO from BRS.

 

[chrisl10]

I use the high capacity also start slow with less than the recommended amount you don't want to strip the phosphates out too fast

 

[AZDesertRat]

Hard to beat BRS for media and chemicals. I get my GFO, carbon, 2 part magnesium and 2 part calcium/alkalinity all from them.

 

[LetItReef]

Thank you I will check out BRS products.

I will probably start with the regular BRS GFO not the high capacity.

 

[zoomonster]

Though it does not specify high/low capacity I really like the AquaForest stuff. I've used the BRS GFO for a long time but its very dirty. Even after washing my reactor sponges clog quickly and the filter sock that it outputs to catches a significant amount of fines. I forget exactly but the AQ stuff is just a little more $$ and its damp and about as close to dust free as you can get with GFO. Washing it does not yield the red water of the BRS GFO, the sponges don't clog and filter sock is pretty much clean. Aside from being clean I think its just a better quality media and your not paying for dust.

 

[Waters]

Thank you I will check out BRS products.

I will probably start with the regular BRS GFO not the high capacity.

Depending on the size of your tank and reactor, you may need the high capacity. I use a BRS reactor on my 105 gallon tank. If I was going to use the recommended amount of regular GFO, it would fill the canister up. Using high capacity allows you to use half the amount.

 

[LetItReef]

Depending on the size of your tank and reactor, you may need the high capacity. I use a BRS reactor on my 105 gallon tank. If I was going to use the recommended amount of regular GFO, it would fill the canister up. Using high capacity allows you to use half the amount.

IM 40 and I have the full size MiniMax reactor. Do you think I should get the high capacity GFO? Thanks!

 

[Waters]

IM 40 and I have the full size MiniMax reactor. Do you think I should get the high capacity GFO? Thanks!

You should be fine with the standard capacity.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I really like the GFO from BRS as well.

 

[Piranhapat]

I like Rowaphos only need a little...

 

[LetItReef]

I will look up Rowaphos too. Thanks!

 

[LetItReef]

Received GFO from BRS. How can I determine if it is time to replace it?
Thanks again.

 

[donnievaz]

Received GFO from BRS. How can I determine if it is time to replace it?
Thanks again.

When your phosphate levels start to rise.

 

[zoomonster]

Received GFO from BRS. How can I determine if it is time to replace it?
Thanks again.

Another easy benchmark that does not have you testing phosphates constantly is the rate of algae growth on the glass and/or the condition of your sand bed if you have one. That's aside from the obvious things like hair algae issues that indicate more of a problem. Knowing your tank is a key to heading off a number of issues.

 

[Piranhapat]

I like to change my around the 4 week mark. I usually test and see if
phosphate go up. Pretty much 4 weeks is average.

 

[LetItReef]

Im still seeing algae on the glass. TDS reading is 0-1.
A GFO should take care of the algae on glass, correct?

 

[donnievaz]

Im still seeing algae on the glass. TDS reading is 0-1.
A GFO should take care of the algae on glass, correct?

You really should be testing. If you strip the tank of all phosphate you may start losing coral.

 

[Waters]

GFO won't necessarily stop algae from growing on your glass.....it will help keep it at bay though. Algae can grow with other nutrients besides phosphates.