How much gfo should I run?

[skiergd011013]

How much gfo should I run in my phosban 150? I have been running 6 tbsp for a few weeks, and i keep having problems with caking media etc. Tlf said i am running too little, and need to run 150 grams. That seems like way too much. Please tell me how much (in tbsp) i should run. The tank is 30 gallons, with a fairly low bioload. Im getting answers all over the place reading threads. Lots of them are several years old.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I look at it like dosing.

How high is the Po4?
If you use 4 table spoons for a week, how much does it drop the Po4?

Not enough ? Add two table spoons next time you change the media.

I does sound odd that the media is caking , as if there isn’t enough flow in the reactor.

 

[Hitman]

When it comes to GFO I use half or less them the manufacturers recommend amounts. In my 240 I only run 1.5 cups of the BRS high capacity GFO and it calls for 3 cups. I have been running this way for a year and it keeps my PO4 right where I want it now. I would start with 1/2 to 3/4 cup in your tank and slowly increase from there if needed.
It sounds like you don’t have enough flow if it’s caking. You want it to be free flowing or tumbling pretty good. If you don’t have a large amount of flow it will I’ll cake and harden and it’s a pain to get out of your reactor. I have my GFO reactor running off a Sicce 1.5 at full flow and it works perfectly for me.

 

[skiergd011013]

When it comes to GFO I use half or less them the manufacturers recommend amounts. In my 240 I only run 1.5 cups of the BRS high capacity GFO and it calls for 3 cups. I have been running this way for a year and it keeps my PO4 right where I want it now. I would start with 1/2 to 3/4 cup in your tank and slowly increase from there if needed.
It sounds like you don’t have enough flow if it’s caking. You want it to be free flowing or tumbling pretty good. If you don’t have a large amount of flow it will I’ll cake and harden and it’s a pain to get out of your reactor. I have my GFO reactor running off a Sicce 1.5 at full flow and it works perfectly for me.

i put 3.5 tablespoons in. Im new to gfo. If you do research on gfo use, you get a different answer no matter where you look. I had it so it just boiled on the surface. No motion down below. That caused caking in some areas. Where it caked, the flow would channel and make a gfo geyser. But if i increase flow anymore, it would tumble a lot, which people say will grind it into powder and enter the tank. Its like you cant win.......

 

[Hitman]

What brand GFO are you using? I know the BRS High Capacity GFO can be tumbling pretty hard and not grind it self apart but it’s the only one I’ve ever used.

 

[skiergd011013]

What brand GFO are you using? I know the BRS High Capacity GFO can be tumbling pretty hard and not grind it self apart but it’s the only one I’ve ever used.

brs standard capacity.