How much GFO and carbon?

[Noob2015]

I just set up my BRS dual carbon/GFO reactor for my tank. It is a 90 gallon display and 30 gallon sump/fuge mixed reef tank. Decently stocked with a variety of sps frags, large and small lps coral, zoas and mushrooms. I have a firefish, 4 blue/green chromis, paired clowns, lawnmower blenny and a flame angel. Cleaner and fire shrimp and CUC of snails and hermits (and 10 nassarious snails). Running skimmer, chaeto, miracle mud, sock, filter floss as well. Total 70+ lbs live rock.

1. How much GFO and carbon would you all suggest? I put in a cup of each in their containers. As I understand it I'll want to switch out carbon in about two weeks and GFO in a month correct?

2. Everything I've read suggests only tumbling carbon so that it's visable on the surface, which is how I have it set up. Any different suggestions?

Thanks guys.

 

[jayball]

I use about half that for the GFO, carbon depends on the type.

You tumble GFO, not carbon. That is correct for GFO though.

 

[oblio]

Carbon should not move, its too brittle and will disintegrate if you tumble it. I have roughly the same tank and run a cup of each in 2 two Little Fishies reactors PUMP->GFO->Carbon. I adjust flow to make GFO just tumble at surface. The two weeks/one month change out is OK, but honestly from everything Ive read the carbon will be exhausted within days almost regardless of how much you run, this is fine as you really don't want to completely strip the water. Changing it out every 2 weeks works pretty good IMO. The GFO, I would suggest purchasing a decent phosphate tester, like the Hanna. Then you can simply test the output of your reactors periodically. If you have phosphates present in the water, then simply monitor when the GFO exhausts. After a few iterations you will come up with a accurate schedule that doesn't have you throwing perfectly good GFO out. As far as the carbon goes, a pretty simple check you can do is do water changes with a white 5 gallon bucket, if the change out water has a yellow tinge, then your not running enough, if the water is clear then your doing enough. Again don't overdo the carbon.

 

[Noob2015]

Sorry, I meant tumbling the GFO. I'm using the included sponges to keep carbon packed in place. I have the BRS bulk (one gallon) GFO as well as BRS bulk premium ROX 0.8 carbon. It's been only two days but the water is visibly clearer! Thanks for your replies.

 

[Sandrock.e46]

I think it varies between manufactures. The one I uses recommends 2 grams per gallon. With a light tumble. Enough for the surface to have a light ripple.

 

[Allentown]

BRS has a calculator for this on their Web site for both gfo and carbon including different carbon types.

In a brand new tank, I don't pay much attention to that, just put in a couple inches. In a loaded tank that's established, the calculator is handy but even then, if the tank is running too clean or too dirty you'll modify the amounts and change schedule to match your tanks needs

 

[Bpb]

Definitely use half the amount of carbon if you're running it in a reactor. Rox 0.8 is way too effective and efficient in a reactor and the change will be too drastic if you use the full recommended amount. It'll strip the water in no time. I actually prefer to run carbon in a media bag in the sump as its a bit more gentle and slow acting. You can run 1/2 and 1/2 the gfo amount in each reactor canister and space out your changes that way you're more stable and subtle there as well to eliminate po4 peaks and valleys. Change one canister out monthly, but offset them every couple weeks if that makes sense

 

[Bpb]

Plus it's easier to keep a tumble if the gfo is shallower in the reactor canister