Help with new 125 gallon build

[tassod]

Update

Update

Ok a few things....

First, I trimmed off the excess drain pipe in the fuge and got it to just under 1 inch below the water and that pretty much did it. Big big difference. I don't hear that noise anymore and i believe all the trap air escaped. It's hard to believe though i was getting that much flow and so many bubbles when the valve was only this much open...here is a pic:

Now the second thing I want to talk about is my reactors. I installed them today and i have some questions. First reactor that I installed was the GFO. I've opened the gate valve completely and it seems that there is bareley any flow. The media does not tumble at all.

The carbon reactor seems to have much more flow to it hence my valve is only about 50% open i am judging and i have it to where it does not tumble as well because the directions state to avoid having the media tumble. The GFO media states the same but it does mention it can tumble a bit. I don't get though why there isn't as much flow on the GFO reactor like the carbon. And the gate valve on the GFO comes before the Carbon so it is ahead of it in line with the return.

Also need to know if this is a problem. Seems that some GFO media has spilled over in my return and I can see some of it sitting at the bottom of the sump in the return section. Is this an issue?

 

[SimonSKL]

I wonder if you might have some GFO got inside the standpipe impeding the flow.

I won't worry about the spill over GFO in your sump. They won't harm anything.

 

[tassod]

I wonder if you might have some GFO got inside the standpipe impeding the flow.

I won't worry about the spill over GFO in your sump. They won't harm anything.

I don't believe so, I taped the standpipe before I added the media

 

[tassod]

Here pics of reactor

 

[SimonSKL]

Is the second pic showing the flow to the GFO reactor? That is a good flow. Do you have a sponge on the bottom with the GFO sitting on top of it?

 

[tassod]

Yes to both questions

 

[tassod]

Does your media tumble?

 

[SimonSKL]

Yes, I can make them tumble by opening the valve more. Normally they just kind of in a slow boil.

 

[SimonSKL]

What brand of GFO are you using? How much or how many teaspoons did you add to your reactor? I normally add 10-12 teaspoonfuls to my reactor.

 

[tassod]

Hmm, I didn't use teaspons. I basically filled it a bit below the half way mark of the container. Is that too much? Maybe that is why it is not tumbling. I am using BRS brand GFO

 

[SimonSKL]

That's way too much for a 125g tank. BRS has several grades of GFO. The HC type is the best and you use a lot less than the other grades. The compression of such high volume of GFO not only restricting the water flow but also creates channels making your GFO much less effective. I use a plastic spoon and measure 10-12 teaspoons and then I change them out monthly. Of course if your phosphate is high you may have to change them out more frequently.

 

[tassod]

That's way too much for a 125g tank. BRS has several grades of GFO. The HC type is the best and you use a lot less than the other grades. The compression of such high volume of GFO not only restricting the water flow but also creates channels making your GFO much less effective. I use a plastic spoon and measure 10-12 teaspoons and then I change them out monthly. Of course if your phosphate is high you may have to change them out more frequently.

I didn't get the HC type, just the bulk GFO. Do you recommend i take it out and start over?

 

[SimonSKL]

Definitely take some out. I would suggest no more than one inch in total thickness of the media. You are using the TLF 550 reactor, correct?

 

[tassod]

Yes the 550 from TLF. What about the Carbon? I have about the same amount in there.

 

[tassod]

I noticed the BRS website has a Reef calculator and for GFO it recommends 31 tbsp for 125 gallon total water volume but also states each tank is different and this is just a starting point.

 

[SimonSKL]

I never followed the recommended volume as I would have the same problem with the media not tumbling. So far my dosage is working great for me and with the chaeto in my fuge they are keeping my phosphate level at almost zero. Every tank is different so you will have to play with that a little.

BTW, do you have any chaeto? I just harvest a bunch ready to throw it away. If you want it, pm me with your full name and address and I will send it to you.

 

[SimonSKL]

Oh I use the same dosage for carbon, about 12 teaspoonfuls.

 

[tassod]

I never followed the recommended volume as I would have the same problem with the media not tumbling. So far my dosage is working great for me and with the chaeto in my fuge they are keeping my phosphate level at almost zero. Every tank is different so you will have to play with that a little.

BTW, do you have any chaeto? I just harvest a bunch ready to throw it away. If you want it, pm me with your full name and address and I will send it to you.

PM sent, thank you so much Simon, yes i do need chaeto. I will follow your instructions i will put about 1 inch of media in the reactor.

 

[tassod]

Simon, which autofeeder do you use? Also, what kind of food do you feed your fish and corals?

 

[SimonSKL]

I am using the Rena AutoFeeder like this one but I think it is no longer made. I mix both flakes and pellets in the drum and feed the fish once daily. The only thing about using flakes in a feeder, or any feeder for this matter, is that it is hard to dispense the same amount of food each time because some large flakes seem to clog the opening preventing smaller flakes from coming out sometimes.

I don't specifically feed my corals even though some may benefit from direct feeding. They all seem to be doing well despites of this.