Barry's 29gal Coralife BioCube
- Thread starter BarryV
- Start date
I am cheap, and $25.00/month is huge!
I love Boyds and their Chemipure products, but I couldn't justify paying for that.
Why are you running it? To polish your water? For the GFO in it? You should be able to get a refillable bag and some carbon from Bulkreefsupply (and maybe some GFO too if you want that as well) and run that in the same way for a lot cheaper.
I haven't run carbon yet on my tank. I want to once my tank stabilizes, but after the waterchange this weekend, things aren't looking good, so I want to diagnose things one at a time. Once that's stabilized, I'll add a carbon bag to the back (chemipure that I had floating around, might be a few (7) years old, but should be fine) and see if it makes a difference.
I love Boyds and their Chemipure products, but I couldn't justify paying for that.
Why are you running it? To polish your water? For the GFO in it? You should be able to get a refillable bag and some carbon from Bulkreefsupply (and maybe some GFO too if you want that as well) and run that in the same way for a lot cheaper.
I haven't run carbon yet on my tank. I want to once my tank stabilizes, but after the waterchange this weekend, things aren't looking good, so I want to diagnose things one at a time. Once that's stabilized, I'll add a carbon bag to the back (chemipure that I had floating around, might be a few (7) years old, but should be fine) and see if it makes a difference.
BarryV
New member
You know I don't realy know why. Went I first setup my tank that's what I started with.
So 8 times $25.00 = $200.00:bigeyes: I think maybe I should run carbon or something.
Thoughts............
Barry
I think you should run without anything, and see if it makes a difference. Note the water clarity, seeing from end to end, and/or even shining a flashlight from one side of the cube to the other at night.
I know if I shine the 420nm florescence flashlight through my tank, I can clearly see there is some "gunk" in the water. But I don't run carbon, so I don't expect it to be clean. Hold a flashlight at night to one side of the tank and see how clear the water is. Entirely unscientific way to see if your water is clear or not?
I've run carbon before, but I never stood back and said "wow, my water is so much more clear" so I've been saving $200/year since
I know if I shine the 420nm florescence flashlight through my tank, I can clearly see there is some "gunk" in the water. But I don't run carbon, so I don't expect it to be clean. Hold a flashlight at night to one side of the tank and see how clear the water is. Entirely unscientific way to see if your water is clear or not?
I've run carbon before, but I never stood back and said "wow, my water is so much more clear" so I've been saving $200/year since
soulpatch
New member
I run carbon if for nothing else that it pulls tiny particles out of the water to keep it clearer. I run it in a reactor with GFO (basically a reactor version of chemipure) and change it every other week or once a month depending on the color of my water change water. I change in a white bucket so if the water has a yellowish tint I swap out the media.
Cost is minimal. I purchased the $20 BRS GFO and the $45 gallon of carbon and both barely have a dent in them. I bought them back in February. The reactor takes about 4-5 tablespoons of GFO and like 12 of Carbon. I suspect I could easily run my nano for at least a year if not longer off of that $65. I am currently 6 months in and both containers are pretty full still...
I like to run the carbon simply for water clarity. Sure it removes some thing the LPS like to eat in the water column but I overfeed anyway so its not a loss for me personally. The GFO I keep running since I need to keep Phos down so my limited remnants of algae dont spike again (due to my overfeeding). I personally dont think I would stop running carbon. I paid good money for my corals and their particular colors and dont want cloudy or yellowish water affecting my viewing.
Cost is minimal. I purchased the $20 BRS GFO and the $45 gallon of carbon and both barely have a dent in them. I bought them back in February. The reactor takes about 4-5 tablespoons of GFO and like 12 of Carbon. I suspect I could easily run my nano for at least a year if not longer off of that $65. I am currently 6 months in and both containers are pretty full still...
I like to run the carbon simply for water clarity. Sure it removes some thing the LPS like to eat in the water column but I overfeed anyway so its not a loss for me personally. The GFO I keep running since I need to keep Phos down so my limited remnants of algae dont spike again (due to my overfeeding). I personally dont think I would stop running carbon. I paid good money for my corals and their particular colors and dont want cloudy or yellowish water affecting my viewing.
soulpatch
New member
I have this one with a MJ1200 pump: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gfo-carbon-reactor-deluxe1.html
I will most likely pick up another one for my larger tank so I can run GFO and carbon seperately. I did not want the combo unit BRS sells since there is no way to limit the flow to one chamber but give more to the other. That is counter productive as GFO and carbon need different flow rates. a simple manifold would solve for this with 2 seperate units.
I will most likely pick up another one for my larger tank so I can run GFO and carbon seperately. I did not want the combo unit BRS sells since there is no way to limit the flow to one chamber but give more to the other. That is counter productive as GFO and carbon need different flow rates. a simple manifold would solve for this with 2 seperate units.
BarryV
New member
BarryV
New member
BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor – Single
BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor "“ Single
Hi All,
I think I have made up my mind. I think I will go with the BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor "“ Single.
The only question I have is: Will the MJ-1200 fit in chamber 1?. Chamber 2 is full with inTank media basket
and my 9001 skimmer. Also can I attach the reactor to outside of the back of my BC stand? There is no room inside.
Thanks for the help,
Barry
BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor "“ Single
Hi All,
I think I have made up my mind. I think I will go with the BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor "“ Single.
The only question I have is: Will the MJ-1200 fit in chamber 1?. Chamber 2 is full with inTank media basket
and my 9001 skimmer. Also can I attach the reactor to outside of the back of my BC stand? There is no room inside.
Thanks for the help,
Barry
homer1475
New member
It will fit as long as when you order, get a 90 degree elbow. The one they supply is straight and unless you tip the head on its side it makes it too long. I'm not sure it would fit in chamber one with it on its side(to long) anyways. Anywhere you can put 2 screws in it will hold onto.
Not fitting in the stand is the exact reason I went with the nano.
Not fitting in the stand is the exact reason I went with the nano.
soulpatch
New member
order a few of the 90 degree elbows just in case with it.
I could not fit the mj1200 in my first chamber with the suction cup mount. It will fit if you cut off one of the legs on the mount or put it in in another way. OR you could use the pump external and plumb in a line to the tank in the first chamber. The mj1200 has enough power to do so and keep the reactor running.
But above all else get a few extra 90 degree elbows to make your life easier as you plan it all out.
I could not fit the mj1200 in my first chamber with the suction cup mount. It will fit if you cut off one of the legs on the mount or put it in in another way. OR you could use the pump external and plumb in a line to the tank in the first chamber. The mj1200 has enough power to do so and keep the reactor running.
But above all else get a few extra 90 degree elbows to make your life easier as you plan it all out.
