New tank filter media. ?

[Titleist1964]

So far I've received a plethora of information and knowledge from all the helpful members here. Thanks for that. Thus far easing my first attempt at a reef tank, where I was extremely nervous in the beginning. My question regarding filter media is as follows:

What should I run in the media basket? I'm considering an Intank basket in chamber 1, P Skimmer in 2, and heater in 3. I'm going to go with live rock/live sand from TBS and let the tank run a few days checking parameters before adding anything. Don't know if this will help but I'm considering adding a few more fish then originally just 2 clowns, simple corals, Rics, Duns, Shrooms, stuff like that.
Thanks in advance........sorry if this has been beaten, but there seems to a lot of different responses on my search.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So far I've received a plethora of information and knowledge from all the helpful members here. Thanks for that. Thus far easing my first attempt at a reef tank, where I was extremely nervous in the beginning. My question regarding filter media is as follows:

What should I run in the media basket? I'm considering an Intank basket in chamber 1, P Skimmer in 2, and heater in 3. I'm going to go with live rock/live sand from TBS and let the tank run a few days checking parameters before adding anything. Don't know if this will help but I'm considering adding a few more fish then originally just 2 clowns, simple corals, Rics, Duns, Shrooms, stuff like that.
Thanks in advance........sorry if this has been beaten, but there seems to a lot of different responses on my search.

Typical basket has 3 layers
- floss or foam
- carbon
- GFO … you need very little

 

[Titleist1964]

Typical basket has 3 layers
- floss or foam
- carbon
- GFO … you need very little

I looked up the GFO, is there anyone better then the other? Thanks.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I looked up the GFO, is there anyone better then the other? Thanks.

Ferrous oxide is ferrous oxide
BRS brand seems to be the most used

 

[Tankkeepers]

Mine middle chamber makes a great fuge filter wise this is all you need

 

[PatW]

For physical filtration, I just use filter socks and wash them twice per week. I would only recommend GFO for phosphate reduction on an as needed basis. And a little GFO goes a long way (if your phosphates are already low). Using GFO pretty much requires getting the Hanna ULR. In a reef tank, you want a little phosphate and even in a fish only tank, having low GFO can cause certain kinds of algal blooms. I have a 300 gallon tank and if my phosphate gets kinda high and my chaeto is in a slump, I use some GFO in a mesh bag and stick it into the filter sock. I use 2 tablespoons and that is all. Now if you have high levels you will need to be rather aggressive but in normal control, you need to use it sparingly.

 

[Titleist1964]

As of right now my LR/LS is coming in tomorrow going to set it all up and let it run a week or so before adding anything. CUC first I think is my best bet.