phosban/gfo/biopellets question

jomatty · Nov 17, 2012

I just recently upgraded to a 150 gallon tank. My other tank is only 40 gallons and I do not currently run a phosban reactor. On the new tank I have a two little fishies phosban 150. I am trying to decide what kind of media to use. It seems that the safest option is to go with GFO but I am intrigued by bio pellets. I have read about some crashes but it seems like it is not 100% clear the bio pellets were to blame in most cases and people were also not doing water changes (which would be great but scares me) and that could have been to blame.

Would you guys just go with the GFO?

Also when I set up the reactor with the old media in it (which I am not sure what is but does not appear to be GFO or Biopellets) it was not tumbling like I was under the impression it should be. The reactor was almost completely filled and I think this is probably the problem. It is being powered by a maxi jet 1200. Is this a large enough pump for this unit?

Thanks,
Jomatty

AZDesertRat · Nov 17, 2012

I use a half dose or GFO or 5 grams per 10 gallons of system water and a small dose of GAC at all times for my mixed reef. GFO only require around 6080 GPH so a mini jet or MJ400 is more than enough in most cases. Make sure the reactor is plumbed so it has bottom up flow to fluidize or raise the media, not fed from the top which would compact the media.

MarineDepot · Nov 17, 2012

Deciding to run biopellets will depend on the amount of nitrates in your aquarium. If you plan to heavily stock your aquarium with fish, then biopellets may be a better option for you. I would actually recommend a biopellet specific reactor as they run more efficiently than modifying a Phosban 150 for biopellets.

If your nitrates are low or undetectable, then I would recommend GFO. The Maxi-Jet 1200 will be too strong for GFO so you will need to either valve it down, but that will put some unwanted back pressure on the pump. You can always tee it off and control the flowrates with a ball valve so you can redirect some of the water flow back to your sump.

Dan

AZDesertRat · Nov 17, 2012

It is far more efficient to valve a pumps discharge down rather than return flow to the sump. Restricting the flow by adding a valve or head pressure reduces the work the pump must do so reduces heat generation and wattage consumed. Returning flow makes the pump work harder meaning more heat generation and higher wattage consumed. It is als oeasier on the pump to valve it contrary to what many believe.