How much water flow needs to run through GFO??

[Young347]

I was just wondering about how much can flow is needed to run through GFO to be effective I think I am going to put a couple of bags in my sump between the baffles before my return pump my return system is flowing 600- 800 GPH
If this does well like this do I really need a GFO reactor?? Why buy a reactor if it's not needed??

This is just for now until I get a GFO/Carbon reactor

 

[mypepper]

Just from my experience, I tried using filter bags with phosphate media in my sump, which was never effective.

About three months ago, I broke down and bought two of the BRS media reactors, which I seen a 100% improvement in my 90 gallon reef system. I run about 1/2 cup of BRS GFO and 1/2 cup of carbon 24/7 and change out around at the six week mark.

The investment is rather cheap compared to having continuous algae problems that would never go away and that's with me doing weekly water changes using RO water.

For a small up front investment, you're tank will surely benefit.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[NTP66]

I can't really answer your question on how much flow is needed to run GFO in a bag, but I can say that the difference between running it in a bag and in a reactor is night and day. Once I switched to a reactor, my GHA was gone in a matter of weeks. GFO in a bag in my sump (directly in front of the drain) didn't really do much at all for me.

I now run two TLF 150 reactors off of a single MJ1200 and love the results.

 

[laga77]

It is very difficult to get enough flow through a bag. That is why reactors work so much better.

 

[Drae]

Gfo needs to tumble or it will turn into a brick. Carbon can used in filter bags although it's not as effective as running it in an reactor but gfo definitely needs to be run in a reactor.

 

[Young347]

Okay sounds good for just right now I will put it into bags and then I will get a reactor ASAP
All I needed to hear was it is way more effective!!! good enough reason for me haha thanks guys

 

[Young347]

Also just curious will he GFO help with a bacteria cloud?? It should since the bacteria cloud feeds on phosphates and nitrates and as of right now my nitrate are 5ppm or less the GFO should starve out the bacteria ??

 

[moondoggy4]

The Two Little Fishers TLF 150 are nice they are cheap and Dr Fosters and Smith has a combo price w/ the pump included, no need to guess on which pump to buy.

The TLF are cheap and effective they're are other models out there but I would not spend too much on them or get a large unit, you really don't put that much media in there so there is lots of wasted space.

I like the Nextreef reactors but are larger than the TLF reators.

 

[Young347]

Sorry for so many post I was going to ask how are the BRS reactors?? Are they well constructed ?? Or spend a little more for one of the vertex or reef octopus brands
Also run boy GFO and carbon in one reactor or 2 different reactors???

 

[johnike]

I have mine in a BRS jumbo reactor, and adjust the flow to where the GFO just barely moves at the surface.

 

[moondoggy4]

http://spectrapure.com/MEDIA-REACTORS-MEDIA/MEDIA-REACTORS/Dual-Chamber-Media-Reactor another option

 

[Tweaked]

Yep in a reactor will be so much more efficient. Doesn't need to tumble, more of a simmer low boil.