Running carbon and GFO/Phosguard in the same reactor?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

So I run GFO and Phosguard (I alternate them when I change media, so I only run one at a time), and I'm thinking about adding carbon to my reactor media arsenal. I am wondering if I can run carbon and phosphate-absorbing media (to avoid naming both again) in the same reactor? Is there any reason why this would be a bad idea? I'm thinking I would put the carbon on bottom and the GFO (or phosguard) on top. Thoughts?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I mixed then in a canister where they didn't move, but if you have a reactor where the GFO moves, I'd do as you suggest and put the GFO (edit: should have read GAC, not GFO) on the bottom.

 

[Gopi]

BRS has a reactor to run both and a video to show how. They use sponges to hold the two in place so it doesn't tumble.

 

[Rybren]

I run them both in a single reactor. To be honest, I can't say that I pay attention to which one goes on the bottom. In my reactor, they seem to mix up a fair bit.

 

[mcbridepcm]

It what ever is most convient when you change media GAC has half life of GFO.

 

[Clapp'sCorals]

Totally fine running both in the same reactor. The GFO usually lasts longer so I would use a smaller amount so you dont waste it when the carbon becomes exhausted. Carbon is usually heavier so regardless of putting it on top or bottom it usually works its way towards the bottom.

 

[Mike in CT]

I mix mine really well, that way the gfo won't clump if it
Isn't tumbling.

 

[joshporksandwich]

I mixed then in a canister where they didn't move, but if you have a reactor where the GFO moves, I'd do as you suggest and put the GFO on the bottom.

Some that has been in the aquarium industry 50+ years told me the GFO has to go second if not the small particles clog the carbon and make it useless. I've been doing so for 3 years. Have I been doing it wrong?

 

[bboyvital]

pain in the rear to clean out but you can do it. As joshpork mentioned I would put the carbon on the bottom. It is more likely the gfo will need to be replaced before the carbon. Then again my tank has high phophates. When i was doing this i put one of the sponges the reactor came with between the two media.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I mistyped. I meant put the GAC on the bottom as was suggested, to keep it from moving. I'll edit my post.

In general, I like the idea of GAC first so it binds organics first and leaves the GFO with less organics taking up expensive GFO.

As to GFO clogging GAC, that may be true but it seems unlikely to me that most GFO particles are small enough to get into a GAC pore.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to give it a try! :thumb:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sounds good.

Good luck.

 

[mike007]

If you place the gac first how will you get the gfo to tumble? Is It really necessary for gfo to tumble?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is not necessary, no, but it still could since it would be jsut the same as in a reactor by itself, just a smaller one with a sponge between the GFO and the GAC.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

If you place the gac first how will you get the gfo to tumble? Is It really necessary for gfo to tumble?

Putting GAC in first means it will be on the bottom which will allow the GFO (which will be on top) to tumble just as Randy describes.

 

[mike007]

Since most gfo reactors fill from the bottom I think the gac will slow down the flow enough to keep gfo from tumbling. But I don't have that issue because I use dual reactors.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In my BRS reactors, the flow through my ROX GAC packed full in one reactor is far higher than it takes to tumble the GFO slightly on the GFO surface.

 

[Triggreef]

I run 2 reactors on one pump but I keep it separate. Right now I actually have 3 reactors on one pump because I had a need for cuprasorb and an extra reactor laying around. It flows just well enough to tumble the gfo and cuprasorb as well. I like the point about running through the gac first though, I have been doing it the other way around and my gfo exhausts within 2 weeks so i will change it up and see if I can do a little better.

 

[Jerzyray]

I mixed then in a canister where they didn't move, but if you have a reactor where the GFO moves, I'd do as you suggest and put the GFO (edit: should have read GAC, not GFO) on the bottom.

can i just use some thing in my 2LF reactor( like there mesh dics for biopelet) to hold every thing tight, you both dont moive?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

can i just use some thing in my 2LF reactor( like there mesh dics for biopelet) to hold every thing tight, you both dont moive?

That can work, but perhaps not as well for the GFO as if it is tumbling a bit.