GFO in reactor question

[Mapexdrummer09]

So I have a quick question. I just bought a reactor yesterday and running gfo in it to help lower my phosphates in my aquarium (currently at 0.25ppm). I looked up on BRS's websites calculator how much gfo to use (3 tablespoons) everything that I've read is to not let the gfo tumble like crazy but just enough to keep it from bonding together. The pump that my lfs sold me makes the gfo tumble a decent amount. If I restrict the flow to the reactor the pump gets really loud. The tank is in my bedroom so it's not pleasant. My question is can I let the gfo tumble decent amount or should I get a different pump?

 

[AZRippster]

You can go a couple of ways. You can get a different pump, or get a "T" fitting so that you can divert some of the pressure. You may need a little valve for both so you can get it balanced the way you want. The additional line off the "T" may be used for something else if needed. Just a thought.

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

Not a bad idea. If I were to go the t fitting idea it may be nice for future add ons. As of now since I don't have anything else, would you just have the t line go back into the tank/sump?

 

[Marchillo]

What type of pump do you use? The maxijets are loud but the Italian version MJs (cobalt) are pretty silent.

Id probably change pumps and you can repurpose the other pump to mix your salt water change water or to pump water into the tank when doing water changes.

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

It's a maxijet 900. I think it's more then what I need too

 

[Keoki18]

Either option works, but I would keep the pump and "T" it off like AZ stated. I would absolutely have it feed back into the sump just like any other return line from a reactor.

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

Awesome. Thanks! The guy at the lfs said to go with the larger pump in case I needed it in the future.
What's the worst that would happened if I let the gfo tumble more then just a little?

 

[billdogg]

It's a maxijet 900. I think it's more then what I need too

Awesome. Thanks! The guy at the lfs said to go with the larger pump in case I needed it in the future.
What's the worst that would happened if I let the gfo tumble more then just a little?

I used a Minijet 400 on my TLF 150 for many (15?) years and had it only about 1/2 open. IMHO, A MJ900 is way too much. If it's in your sump, a T fitting and another reactor (carbon) would be a great idea. If it's being used as a HOB, I would get a different pump.

The problem with GFO tumbling too much is that it will grind itself to dust and spread throughout your tank. Fish don't like it. Corals really don't like it.

hth

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

Cool, I think my best option at the moment is to return or get a smaller pump. Thanks for all of the help!

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

Yeah I definitely don't want it grinding up and blowing throughout my tank

 

[Marchillo]

I use an mj1200 on a dual reactor turned way down. I don't think the size of the pump will matter too much as you can control it, but definitely go with the MJ over the maxijets for noise control. And yes don't let it tumble too much or it will turn into dust. Good luck.

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

Nice, i don't mind having a larger pump turned down. It's just the noise when I turn it down is insane lol.

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

I guess one other thought I had was could I use a piece of filter pad to push down on the gfo to keep it at the tumble rate i want?

 

[billdogg]

I guess one other thought I had was could I use a piece of filter pad to push down on the gfo to keep it at the tumble rate i want?

Good thought, but it won't work the way you think it will. Because the water comes up through the media, it will just push whatever filter pad up to the top.

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

Ah I see, makes sense. Lol figured there had to be a reason I haven't seen people do it in the research I've been doing

 

[BrokenSpoke]

There is another option I saw on the BRS site. You could mix Carbon with the GFO, I forget the ratio, and then used the sponge to push and hold the Carbon / GFO mix at the top of the reactor. Mixing with the carbon keeps the GFO spread out and by pushing the mixture to the top of the reactor there is no need for any tumbling. Here is the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbLF1zgw8oQ&index=24&list=PLBaMLrfToJyybUT18OE3fMomFb9XU0ffC

 

[Reef Frog]

Your phosphate is high. 3 tablespoons of GFO are likely to be exhausted quickly. How soon is also dependent on system water volume.

What is your water volume? It's quite possible you'll be using significantly more GFO in the future. This amount may need or benefit from the more powerful pump you have now. Not sure since obviously I'm not looking at your setup. Just a thought.

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

GFO in reactor question

There is another option I saw on the BRS site. You could mix Carbon with the GFO, I forget the ratio, and then used the sponge to push and hold the Carbon / GFO mix at the top of the reactor. Mixing with the carbon keeps the GFO spread out and by pushing the mixture to the top of the reactor there is no need for any tumbling. Here is the video



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbLF1zgw8oQ&index=24&list=PLBaMLrfToJyybUT18OE3fMomFb9XU0ffC

That's actually not a bad idea at all. Only thing I read that was a downside with that is that gfo usually lasts longer then carbon so the down side is ill end up wasting gfo most likely

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

My reef tank is a 29 gallon reef tank with about 30 pounds of live rock

 

[Mapexdrummer09]

I started with the 3 tablespoons because of the calculated amount on bulk reef supplies website