Reactor media lifespan

[WaReefer458]

After the roller coaster of problems I've been through on my 40b I finally waved the white flag. With a small tank and a small ( 10gal or so acrylic sump ) I have just been at my wits end. I've been doing 5-10 gallon weekly water changes with nitrates hovering between 10-20ppm with a pretty mediocre bioload. I went through multiple cyano, diatom and dino outbreaks. I lost most of my livestock due to a friend recommending to stop doing water changes to let the elements feeding the problems die off. It actually worked but right after doing some large water changes to get my nitrates back to manageable levels I once again started the problem cycle again.

Fast forward a couple months of the tank looking like crap and nitrates in the 50ppm range. I've been doing my regular water changes I finally hooked up 3 phosban reactors. I am running a decent amount of Xport No3 in one, ROWAPHOS in another, and some carbon in another.

My question is, I know I need to replace the ROWAPHOS every couple months and carbon only works for a few days but does the Xport No3 just break down like bioballs so you just replenish as they break down? Also, if anyone is running the Xport No3, how long does it take to start working? I did the recommended soaking the blocks in tank water with some microbacter7 to get it properly established with bacteria before adding it to the reactor. What kind of flow do you want on the Xport No3 as well? It says not to let them tumble but my LFS said the slower the flow, the better it works. I have the flow at prolly 50GPH going through it but I can probably double it before it starts tumbling or should I turn it down so its like a drip coming out of the other end? My ROWAPHOS is fluidized so I know that is right and the carbon is flowing pretty good through it as well.

Just a little input on these would be very helpful. I just hooked them up last night and I'm going to take a baseline reading tomorrow when I get off work so I can see the rate of nitrate removal.

If the carbon is only good for a couple days and I plan of running it about once a month, should I replace it with anything else for more removal while the carbon is offline or am I pretty well covered just removing nitrate and phosphates?

 

[WaReefer458]

I also plan on adding a hang on back refugium at some point but its not super high on my priority list at the moment.

 

[Reef Frog]

GFO (Rowalhos) may need to be changed more frequently than once every 2 months. It depends on how much phosphate is being introduced to the tank and/or leaching out of live rock.

Remember, the issues you mentioned are common, almost required phases in new aquariums. Maybe all you need is to ride it out. Proper & consistent salinity levels are important too. Are you using RODI water to mix your salt and to top off evaporation?

 

[DJasak]

Whenever I hear of someone calling for help with a phosphate/nitrate problem the first thing I ask them is what is your water source? It is so often overlooked, but it is directly related to the health of your system. Next question would b stocking, since u already said it's pretty mediocre for a 40 breeder, I'll assume it's pretty light. That's brings me to feeding. How much are u feeding and how often? If all these things are in check, try increasing your flow in the tank. Try to keep the detritus suspended long enough to get picked up by your skimmer, lessen your photo period on the tank. If your using any floss or socks, make sure ur cleaning/replacing them regularly. Have a diverse cleaning crew. Have a good mixture of snails, crabs, hermits, and starfish among other things. All of these things can contribute to trying to solve your issue. As far as your gfo goes, I have a 45 gallon system and I replace my gfo on a monthly basis. It should have a slow tumble, and it is not necessary to tumble carbon. I have been contemplating switching to chemipure elite. I have heard great things about it and suggest looking it up yourself, seems to be really great stuff...good luck!