Phosphate Reactor Question

[johndoan1106]

Due to a large recent outbreak of hair algae in my DT and mad cyano in my sump, I've concluded that my phosphate levels are really high. I have not tested the params yet because I don't have a test kit for phosphates. So I just went to Bulk Reef Supply and ordered a ViaAqua Reactor, a 2 pound bag of GFO, and a bag of carbon. Here are my questions. Please help. Thanks.

1. I know you're supposed to start small and increase amount of GFO but I already have a small media bag of PhosBan so do I still need to increase slowly?

2. How much GFO do I need to use exactly?

3. Can I use the carbon in the reactor as well?

4. Lastly, if I don't mix to keep changes of media sepeartely, is carbon in a media bag effective at all or do I need to order a seperate reactor for the carbon?

 

[MarlinHooker]

I've never heard of mixing media in the same reactor ... I have a phosban reactor, a carbon reactor & a Ca reactor. Just letting water run through a bag in your sump is less effective than running water under pressure through your media via a reactor. I always try to avoid spikes when I do anything to the system. Unless there is some 'life-threatening' issue that requires immediate reaction, you didn't get to this condition over night and you won't solve it overnight either. As long as the steps you take make the trend in the right direction you should be good ... Are you using RO/DI water for PWCs, if so, what does you TDS meter say? What is the concentrations in the salt you use? Are you doing PWCs religiously or do you sometimes skip them ... ? Hope this helps.

 

[an411]

I should still start small and increase the GFO amount to be on the safe side

When you order it it will tell you how much to use by the gallon amount. I have order 2 different kinds and both had different amounts that it recommended

You can use them in the same reactor but I would use 2 different reactors cause the GFO needs less flow then the carbon

I think that the reactor is going to be more effective but I guess running it in a bag is better then nothing