GFO REACTOR

[Buddha51]

So, after seeing my PO is at.94, I started to set up a GFO REACTOR. Do you continuously use the reactor once the level has dropped to safe levels or shut it off?

 

[AJsReef]

It really depends on implementation. Generally, you use the reactor until PO4 gets the desired level then stop. However, some people run continuously due to things such as heavy feeding

 

[Buddha51]

Correct. I have been heavenly feeding since I added a new fish to my tank. And noticed my Sps corals haven’t been doing well.

 

[Pistondog]

One amount to bring down the po4 level, another, much less for maintenance.

Depending on the tank size and sump, you might want to explore lanthanum chloride, which brings it down quickly, but requires a skimmer, and other precautions.

 

[Dan_P]

So, after seeing my PO is at.94, I started to set up a GFO REACTOR. Do you continuously use the reactor once the level has dropped to safe levels or shut it off?

Never shut it off. Use it or remove it. Shutting it off will starve it of oxygen and encourage anaerobic bacteria to grow inside the reactor. Turning it back on will then dump potential nasty chemicals into your system.

 

[Buddha51]

Is it safe to mix GFO & Carbon?

 

[Dan_P]

Is it safe to mix GFO & Carbon?

Yes. Some folks do it as a standard practice. With the GFO granules nestled in GAC particles they are less likely to break apart.

 

[Buddha51]

my GFO is at .94. Kinda bugging me out. I have a GFO reactor coming in this Thursday. Should I do a WC immediately or wait until the reactor comes in and hook it up. Please advise

 

[homer1475]

At that level you might to explore lanthanum chloride. It's going to take quite a bit of gfo(depending on tank size) to bring that down.

 

[Buddha51]

At that level you might to explore lanthanum chloride. It's going to take quite a bit of gfo(depending on tank size) to bring that down.

what if i do WC and start the GFP Reactor?

 

[Dan_P]

my GFO is at .94. Kinda bugging me out. I have a GFO reactor coming in this Thursday. Should I do a WC immediately or wait until the reactor comes in and hook it up. Please advise

If nothing really bad is happening, wait for the GFO reactor. How big is the aquarium? Just thinking about your water change question. By the way, we can estimate how much GFO will be needed to reach your target.

 

[homer1475]

what if i do WC and start the GFP Reactor?

Water changes are a great way to eliminate nitrates, not so great at reducing phosphates.

 

[Buddha51]

If nothing really bad is happening, wait for the GFO reactor. How big is the aquarium? Just thinking about your water change question. By the way, we can estimate how much GFO will be needed to reach your target.

I have the WATERBOX 100.3 so I normally say my water is 50g

 

[Koty]

Consider that your rocks will be shedfing phosphate so the GFO usually takes longer to get to your target conc.. My TLF reactor get clugged after about 3-4 weeks as sponges grow on the pre-entry sponge. Mind that GFO has very high capasity for phosphate

 

[Buddha51]

I’m planning on mixing Gfo and Carbon. Thoughts?

 

[homer1475]

Does well mixed. Yopu may find though that GFO gets spent long before the carbon.

I run GFO and carbon 24/7/365 this way as a "maintenance" dose to keep my phosphates in a nice "range".


One of the pros to running them together, is you don't have to keep the GFO tumbling, as the carbon keeps it from clumping. I run my reactor in reverse(down through) so it does not tumble the carbon or GFO.

 

[Dan_P]

I have the WATERBOX 100.3 so I normally say my water is 50g

So, it might not be unreasonable to perform large water change if the inhabitants don’t. But…you might quickly knock down the phosphate in the water, but the phosphate adsorbed by aragonite rock and sand can quickly replace it. Maybe just wait for the reactor. One more day right?