Regenerating GFO

[Emery]

What’s up everyone? I have a question about GFO and the regeneration process. Seeing that GFO Can last a few weeks in my tank, and the regeneration of GFO only takes 72 hours, what do I do with the GFO once it has been regenerated?

-Do I let it dry out? If so, how?
-Do I let it tumble in RO/DI until I need to swap canisters again?
- Do I let the exhausted GFO tumble in the sump untill 72 hours before the active GFO exhausts, then start to regenerate it?

I don’t think the GFO can be regenerated, then left to sit for a couple weeks because it’ll clump. So what’s the best option here?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just let it sit damp from the last solution. Don’t try to dry it out.[emoji3]

 

[Emery]

Just let it sit damp from the last solution. Don’t try to dry it out.[emoji3]

I’m not picking up what you’re putting down lol. You’re saying let it sit in the tank water or the regeneration solution or RO/DI?

Also is it sitting with no flow, or is it tumbling?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m not picking up what you’re putting down lol. You’re saying let it sit in the tank water or the regeneration solution or RO/DI?

Also is it sitting with no flow, or is it tumbling?

Whatever last solution you use for regeneration, such as RO/DI, drain that off, collect the wet solids, and put them in a closed container. No flow.

 

[Emery]

Whatever last solution you use for regeneration, such as RO/DI, drain that off, collect the wet solids, and put them in a closed container. No flow.

Ok thanks Randy. The GFO won’t stick and clump together when sitting in the container?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok thanks Randy. The GFO won’t stick and clump together when sitting in the container?

I don't think the particles will clump together in ways that are not easily broken back apart in normal use.

 

[Emery]

Cool, I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for the input.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[hart24601]

What Randy describes is exactly how I store mine after re-gen. No issues for me.

 

[Emery]

What Randy describes is exactly how I store mine after re-gen. No issues for me.

Awesome to hear. So I’ll be good rinsing it with RO/DI after the regeneration, then storing it in a Nalgene bottle untill it’s ready for use?

 

[hart24601]

Don't see why not. I keep it in old brs containers.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Awesome to hear. So I’ll be good rinsing it with RO/DI after the regeneration, then storing it in a Nalgene bottle untill it’s ready for use?

Sure.

 

[Fudsey]

Can someone please explain how to regenerate GFO for us less informed

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can someone please explain how to regenerate GFO for us less informed

Here's a procedure:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/10/chemistry

 

[Fudsey]

Thanks @Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.
Happy Reefing.

 

[bh750]

I made a handy spreadsheet years ago, based on the exact article randy linked. But dont know if I can upload a file here??

Basically enter how many cups of GFO you want to regen (the yellow field). The rest will calculate s(in gray) and show you the exact amounts in steps (green).

 

[Emery]

I made a handy spreadsheet years ago, based on the exact article randy linked. But dont know if I can upload a file here??

Basically enter how many cups of GFO you want to regen (the yellow field). The rest will calculate s(in gray) and show you the exact amounts in steps (green).

That’s awesome! I’d love to get a copy of that. Can I pm you my email so you can send it to me?

 

[bh750]

Definitely. if I can find a way to upload the file or post a link to it somewhere I will.

 

[bh750]

Here's what it looks like....