how much carbon and gfo

jda said:
Don't use either of these unless you are sure that you need to. Too little N or P is more dangerous than being slightly high. Also, if your tank is relatively new, you will inpeded the cycle. If you have any amount of sand or LR, then the tank will eventually be able to handle the N on it's own. It might be able to handle the P as well, but if not, then you need to know where you are so that you can dose appropriately. Just using carbon and GFO from the get-go or without measure could be a disaster IMO.

What are your N and P levels?
Click to expand...

Nitrate is 5ppm or below
I have not received my phosphate test in the mail yet
 
I have used small reactors and big reactors. GAC is incredible stuff and it will do its job within 24 hours whether you put it in a reactor or simply put it in a bag with some minor flow. Bags are faster, easier, cheaper, and 100% as effective. The only studies that have been done on GAC in aquaria have focused on the removal of organics, and those studies showed that GAC is "full" within 24 hours even when placed in passive flow. Some folks theorize that the GAC becomes colonized with bacteria and acts like LR after a few days and undoubtedly GAC can continue to act as a water polisher taking out small detritus, but then if it is doing that it is also providing a place for said particles to break down and create even more nitrate rather than allowing you to siphon the particulate out when you do weekly maintenance. The important fact to understand is that the job you want your GAC to do is removing excess nitrate as well as miscellaneous medicines, metals, or other unwanted molecules and this is done within 24 hours and in most reefs the GAC will be "full" in a day or two. After that time period we know precious little of what GAC is actually doing to your water, and most likely its not doing much.

As to XPort PO4, I have found that Rowaphos and other GFO that are tumbled in a reactor will cause my anemone and several corals to become pale. I assume this is because of the presence of "fines" in the reef that are leached from the reactor. XPort is specially designed for mesh bag passive flow. Again the bag is WAY easier, faster, and cheaper and just as effective. Unlike GAC, GFO will continue to do its job for a long time depending on how much you use in relation to how much phosphate your system produces.

Long story short, it is my experience that passive methods are easier, faster, cheaper, safer, more reliable, and just as effective if not more effective, and it took me more than a decade to figure that out. Reactors work very well, and some very impressive reefs use them to great effect, but I honestly do not believe they are any better than a simple mesh bag.
 
sahin said:
Absolutely love your tank mate. Would you like to mentor me? I'm certain I can improve my SPS keeping skills learning from you. :)
Click to expand...

Haha! I've seen your stuff and know full well that you are quite accomplished, and I think the work you've done in the ATI thread is superb. By the way I'm sure I never said it in a thread and I know it's a couple months late, but congratulations on the birth of Daniyal!
 
I've also gone to just tossing some bags in the first chamber of then sump under the overflow drain. Reactors take up a ton of space, require plumbing (which could fail), and are an absolutely tremendous PITA to clean and refill.

Cleaning a bag, refilling it, and rinsing the media takes a fraction of the time and doesn't create any mess.

Reactors just aren't worth the hassle IMHO.
 
JPMagyar said:
I have used small reactors and big reactors. GAC is incredible stuff and it will do its job within 24 hours whether you put it in a reactor or simply put it in a bag with some minor flow. Bags are faster, easier, cheaper, and 100% as effective. The only studies that have been done on GAC in aquaria have focused on the removal of organics, and those studies showed that GAC is "full" within 24 hours even when placed in passive flow. Some folks theorize that the GAC becomes colonized with bacteria and acts like LR after a few days and undoubtedly GAC can continue to act as a water polisher taking out small detritus, but then if it is doing that it is also providing a place for said particles to break down and create even more nitrate rather than allowing you to siphon the particulate out when you do weekly maintenance. The important fact to understand is that the job you want your GAC to do is removing excess nitrate as well as miscellaneous medicines, metals, or other unwanted molecules and this is done within 24 hours and in most reefs the GAC will be "full" in a day or two. After that time period we know precious little of what GAC is actually doing to your water, and most likely its not doing much.

As to XPort PO4, I have found that Rowaphos and other GFO that are tumbled in a reactor will cause my anemone and several corals to become pale. I assume this is because of the presence of "fines" in the reef that are leached from the reactor. XPort is specially designed for mesh bag passive flow. Again the bag is WAY easier, faster, and cheaper and just as effective. Unlike GAC, GFO will continue to do its job for a long time depending on how much you use in relation to how much phosphate your system produces.

Long story short, it is my experience that passive methods are easier, faster, cheaper, safer, more reliable, and just as effective if not more effective, and it took me more than a decade to figure that out. Reactors work very well, and some very impressive reefs use them to great effect, but I honestly do not believe they are any better than a simple mesh bag.
Click to expand...

I ordered some reactors BEFORE I seen this unfortunately. But I couldn't find anyone near by to sell me some xpot po4. I'm guessing the BRS one isn't as good? Do you happen to run biopellets? Because I could always run that in the other reactor and carbon in a bag
 
Zacktosterone said:
I ordered some reactors BEFORE I seen this unfortunately. But I couldn't find anyone near by to sell me some xpot po4. I'm guessing the BRS one isn't as good? Do you happen to run biopellets? Because I could always run that in the other reactor and carbon in a bag
Click to expand...

You can always return one or both of the reactors, or keep both.

Darryl's TOTM Dec 2012 runs BRS dual GFO+GAC reactor; http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/128-tank-of-the-month

Thats not to confuse the situation further or go against what Joe said, but to put your mind at ease...there are many ways to do this.

If you want a headache and have some spare time read this article on GAC: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/aafeature1
 
sahin said:
You can always return one or both of the reactors, or keep both.

Darryl's TOTM Dec 2012 runs BRS dual GFO+GAC reactor; http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/128-tank-of-the-month

Thats not to confuse the situation further or go against what Joe said, but to put your mind at ease...there are many ways to do this.

If you want a headache and have some spare time read this article on GAC: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/aafeature1
Click to expand...

Darryl runs biopellets so I have an extra reactor if needed in the future. Other than that I'm good to go I guess
 
JPMagyar said:
Haha! I've seen your stuff and know full well that you are quite accomplished, and I think the work you've done in the ATI thread is superb. By the way I'm sure I never said it in a thread and I know it's a couple months late, but congratulations on the birth of Daniyal!
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe. Daniyal takes up so much of my time but worth it. :lol:
 
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