How to run GFO?

[jmatt]

The particles are very small and the pads at either end of the canister go off kilter the minute water starts to flow. They don't look like they'd be stopping much of it anyway.

So I put it in a fine mesh bag and even that doesn't really seem to contain it.

I'm concerned about blowing GFO particles into my water. How does one make sure it stays in the RODI-style canister?

 

[Dan_P]

The particles are very small and the pads at either end of the canister go off kilter the minute water starts to flow. They don't look like they'd be stopping much of it anyway.

So I put it in a fine mesh bag and even that doesn't really seem to contain it.

I'm concerned about blowing GFO particles into my water. How does one make sure it stays in the RODI-style canister?

Low flow. The GFO particles should have little or no movement.

 

[jmatt]

Low flow. The GFO particles should have little or no movement.

Well, I got the pump that BRS sold with the unit, the Sicce Syncra 1.5. Perhaps I'm worrying for nothing.

 

[Mikedawg]

Sicce pumps are adjustable and that may be of help

 

[jmatt]

Sicce pumps are adjustable and that may be of help

Thanks, I'll check on it. Mind you, I have no evidence it's getting into the tank... but it leaks through the fine mesh bags I have when I'm packing it, thus my concern.

 

[Dan_P]

Thanks, I'll check on it. Mind you, I have no evidence it's getting into the tank... but it leaks through the fine mesh bags I have when I'm packing it, thus my concern.

The big pieces might not make it into the aquariun but if the chunks
break down to dust it will. GFO is only “rust” and may not be an issue.

 

[homer1475]

GFO should just "simmer" in the reactor, not be blowing around. Putting it in a reactor in a media bag is rendering it useless after the outer particles get covered in bacterial slime.

GFO clumps together rather quickly if not in a reactor under a slow "simmer/boil".

There should be a valve on the reactor to adjust the flow into the reactor so you can get that "slow boil" GFO should have.

If your blowing particles out of the reactor, your pushing water to fast into the reactor.

 

[flyfisherman]

Don't run it. Dose lanthanum, thank me later.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Thanks, I'll check on it. Mind you, I have no evidence it's getting into the tank... but it leaks through the fine mesh bags I have when I'm packing it, thus my concern.

It should be tumbling, you need to adjust flow with a valve if necessary so it does not grind up into dust.

 

[Francis Kukulya]

It should be tumbling, you need to adjust flow with a valve if necessary so it does not grind up into dust.

+1 on this

 

[homer1475]

One way to get around tumbling GFO and keeping it from clumping together, is to mix in carbon, and run them together in the same reactor. Carbon should not tumble, and will keep the GFO from clumping.

 

[Francis Kukulya]

One way to get around tumbling GFO and keeping it from clumping together, is to mix in carbon, and run them together in the same reactor. Carbon should not tumble, and will keep the GFO from clumping.

That's what I'm doing , Using a BRS mini reactor and it works great

 

[homer1475]

That's what I'm doing , Using a BRS mini reactor and it works great

Exactly how I run it also. 8 tbsp rox carbon, and 4 tbsp GFO mixed in a min reactor for my 85G system. Changed biweekly, it keeps my phosphates where I like to keep them.

 

[brandon429]

Dinos are coming now, don’t run it / friendly heads up

 

[homer1475]

Dinos are coming now, don’t run it / friendly heads up

Why exactly is that? you made the post, explain yourself.

As long as phosphates don't drop to 0, no harm in using GFO to lower them.