Lets talk rust reactors

[golfish]

I started using a gfo reactor a few years ago. The curse was still on so it didn't matter. I went KISS method all the way last summer and started this small reactor up again.

I use about a cup every couple weeks, I'm very happy with the results, the only problem is that it slows down and stops tumbling a little faster than I would like. Is two weeks about right for this media?

So lets talk about the reactor I'm using. Do you guys use the sponges, if so do you use it on top, on the bottom. It seems to clog up pretty fast for me, its calcium build up that clogs the screens.

Do you have any suggestions regarding this reactor? I don't mind replacing and cleaning it every two weeks, does this sound about right?

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gfo-carbon-reactor-deluxe1.html

Is there a cheaper media that I/we can buy in bulk? 45.00 for a half gal is a lot for this old man on a fixed income

 

[Breadman03]

Lanthanum chloride is something you might consider investigating.

 

[five.five-six]

Lanthanum chloride is something you need to be very careful with.

Mark,

It really depends on how much phosphates is in your tank. I run GFO as needed. When I see the glass dusting quicker than usual, I run the reactor for a few days and then pull it out and drain it, every time or two I'll add or change out the GFO. Works for me. What you don't want to do is run a phosphate stripped environment as corals need some phosphates for optimum color and ultimately to even survive.

 

[golfish]

Hey Mark, how are you feeling? Sorry I wasn't able to help you, when you mentioned insurance, I thought it best I opt out. One of the reasons I retired was due to neuropathy, I was falling down at work, I figured it would be best for all.

So back to the rust reactor, I'm pretty hip to the po4 thing, I'm just asking about this reactor, wondering if anybody uses it and how they set it up. Mine seems to slow down pretty fast, maybe 7-10 days.

 

[five.five-six]

I use the sponges, top and bottom. If calcium is clogging up the sponges you might want to check your magnesium level. That or get water from before your 2 part dosing... IIRC you use 2 part.

 

[five.five-six]

I use the sponges, top and bottom. If calcium is clogging up the sponges you might want to check your magnesium level. That or get water from before your 2 part dosing... IIRC you use 2 part.

 

[JVJordan]

I've used GFO in the past with a 240 gal tank but found it to be too expensive to buy new all the time. I successfully recharged the BRS High Capacity GFO by using a mj1200 pump to circulate a sodium hydroxide solution through the GFO reactor for a few days. The reactor was then flushed with RODI water before use on the tank. The problem with this method was the danger inherent in handling concentrated sodium hydroxide solution and the fact that impellers on the MJ pumps kept breaking. I assume they were picking up GFO granules because they are normally very reliable. No attempt to pre-filter the water entering the pump was able to prevent the broken impellers. I've also tried simply soaking GFO in the sodium hydroxide solution but it wasn't effective. I'm happy to hear if anyone has a better method for GFO recharge.

I've recently started using LaCl with good success in dropping my sky high PO4 and with no ill effects observed on the tank. I do use 1micron filter socks to filter the LaCl reactant before it returns to the tank.

 

[five.five-six]

From what I understand, LaCl is very effective, to the point that it is easy to strip your aquarium of phosphates to the point where it is detremental to the coral. Also there is the concern that the precipitant could be harmful to inhabitants if it makes it back into the tank. I also understand that it’s extremely inexpensive to use.

 

[DgenR8]

Everything you ever wanted to know about LaCl

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474839&highlight=lanthanum+chloride