Using a reactor

[reefertank]

I got a Banshee pellet master from a buddy. Don't know much about it. My tank has been running for 3 years and Ive always had an algea problem. How should I use it GFO or Carbon or something else I am not aware of?

 

[MichaelReefer]

Always go by the instructions on GFO. I would put about half what it says. Then a month later do about 3/4 what it recommends. Then a month later do the exact amount of what it recommends. You dont want to strip things out of the water TOO fast, or your corals will freak out. Make sure your GFO has a slight tumble.

Carbon do about half of what it says, then a few weeks later do the full amount. You dont want movement in your GFO or it will grind up.

 

[reefertank]

I only have one reactor should I do GFO or Carbon, or do you mix them?

 

[reefertank]

Always go by the instructions on GFO. I would put about half what it says. Then a month later do about 3/4 what it recommends. Then a month later do the exact amount of what it recommends. You dont want to strip things out of the water TOO fast, or your corals will freak out. Make sure your GFO has a slight tumble.

Carbon do about half of what it says, then a few weeks later do the full amount. You dont want movement in your GFO or it will grind up.

 

[reefertank]

I should also add that I can't raise my nitrates at all. They stay at 0

 

[MichaelReefer]

I only have one reactor should I do GFO or Carbon, or do you mix them?

I put them both in the same reactor for about six months but just got a dual reactor. I bought foam online and cut myself some spacers. Put the GFO first and left it a tiny bit of room, didnt compact it too much. Then I placed the carbon in, but packed it tight with another foam spacer. Kept them separate and allowed me to get the tumble with the GFO but kept my carbon nice and still.

 

[reefertank]

Pain in the butt but can you provide a picture?

 

[Mikeltee]

Carbon is where it's at. It keeps the water clean and helps with the smell. If you think you need gfo stop feeding so much.

 

[reefertank]

So if I have a bio pellet reactor do I have to use bio pellets?

 

[Webslinger]

i'm lazy . I run 1/2 recommended gfo and 1/2 recommended carbon in a bag in the same reactor. I run it a week or 2 every month. Them dang eels in a reef tank.