Part-Time GFO Reactor Schedule

[nickkohrn]

I have a GFO reactor that is connected to a pump that I purchased for it. The pump is quite noisy due to the restriction that I had to apply via a ball valve to keep the GFO from tumbling violently. The pump is overpowered because I will be connecting the output of the GFO reactor to the input of a carbon reactor in the future. That should allow me to open the ball valve and allow more throughout, quieting the pump in return. Until then, I don’t want to run this pump all day because of the level of noise.

I understand that GFO will solidify when left without having water movement, so I plan to run the pump as much as possible while keeping in mind the noise that it produces.

Would it be okay to run the pump only after the lights have turned off for the day? This means that it would run for nearly eight hours after the lights have turned off. I could also run it during most of the day while I’m working. However, I’d like to limit the noise in the evenings when I’m able to enjoy my aquarium.

How long to you think I can leave the GFO reactor off in a typical day without running into solidification or other possible issues?

 

[EmdeReef]

IME no more than 24hrs. Hard to tell how long exactly...

 

[jda]

The GFO will coat in organics too and then not be useful. You don't really want it to sit at all... just use a small amount and change it out more often if you need periods without running it.

 

[jda]

I would also not want my po4 to spike down when running and then spike back up when it turns off and the rock/sand release some phosphate into the water.

I would try and run it all the time.

A quietone 400 is only $12 on eBay... handy for low low applications.