How much media to add to reactors?

[GilliganReef]

I just started a new 65g mixed reef tank this past weekend. I transferred everything over from my 40g to this new tank. I only used about 15lbs of my old 60lbs of LR. Current tank is 65G mixed, with 20L for protein skimmer, phosphate, and carbon reactors. 29G for refugium with a ball of cheato, 10lbs of LS, and 10lbs of LR. Display has 40lbs of LR. Question is how much media should I start off with in my carbon and phosphate reactor? Or should I wait until I start seeing significant growth of algae before setting them up?

7/06/15
Temp "“ 81.1
Salinity 1.022
Amm "“ 0
Nit "“ 0
Nat "“ 0
Cal "“ 490
Alk - 11
Mag "“ 1600
Phos "“ 0.03

 

[tmz]

1.022sg is too low for corals ,IME.
At 0.03ppm PO4 I'd wait on running a phosphate remover .If you strip it all out, corals will suffer ;bacteria and other oganisms may too, making it difficult for them to keep fixed nitrogen levels low.
GAC is generally used at about 1 cup per 50 gallons of water volume changed monthly. Practices and tanks vary. It Rox 8 carbon is used cut it to 2/3 cups.

 

[GilliganReef]

1.022sg is too low for corals ,IME.
At 0.03ppm PO4 I'd wait on running a phosphate remover .If you strip it all out, corals will suffer ;bacteria and other oganisms may too, making it difficult for them to keep fixed nitrogen levels low.
GAC is generally used at about 1 cup per 50 gallons of water volume changed monthly. Practices and tanks vary. It Rox 8 carbon is used cut it to 2/3 cups.

Ok, I am raising my salinity up using sw for my top offs until its up to par. I want to make sure I am understanding this right. Run carbon at 2/3 cups and hold off on GFO until Phosphate are up? If at all my phosphates rise up. I am using a refugium for the first time. Thanks you!

 

[tmz]

2/3 for Rox carbon. I cup otherwise is the usual amount. I use a bit less.

I'd wait on the PO4 , monitor it and try to keep it between 0.02 and 0.05ppm .