HighlandReefer
Team RC
Usually there are some contaminates in just about every product. The MSDS sheet does not disclose these contaminates. Whether not not these contaminates will precipitate out during the restoring process, I don't know. 
Regenerating GFO
- Thread starter tatuvaaj
- Start date
Yes, it is common for solids to have ranges for moisture in them. Even drugs have allowed ranges of moisture in them. 
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Randy,
Do you feel that these products which state 100% sodium hydroxide, ie. some drain cleaners, are safe to use for the regeneration process?
Perhaps this has been stated earlier in this thread.
Do you feel that these products which state 100% sodium hydroxide, ie. some drain cleaners, are safe to use for the regeneration process?
Perhaps this has been stated earlier in this thread.
I expect yes.
So I decided to regenerate my PhosBan. As we know, it is a granular product, about the consistency of coffee grounds. I soaked the 150 grams of PhosBan in approximately 2.5 cups of vinegar for 4 hours. Then, I rinsed the PhosBan with DI water three times. Each rinse, draining the water using a filter sock.
I made a 1M solution of NaOH using 1L of DI water and 40 grams of 100% NaOH crystals. I soaked the PhosBan for approx 10 hours, and rinsed four times using DI water.
Each rinse after the NaOH soak produced a foul smelling, dark green to brown liquid. As expected, some of the PhosBan deteriorated. The overall color of the PhosBan turned very dark brown, almost black.
After rinsing the PhosBan three more times using DI water, the liquid is still a rusty/clay colored. I am hesitant to put this back into my filter/tank.
Randy/ScooterTDI/other smart chemistry people: Is it possible the NaOH soak had a greater impact on the granular GFO, and actually broke some of the chemical bonds that hold the PhosBan grains together causing the deterioration and the strong colored liquids?
I made a 1M solution of NaOH using 1L of DI water and 40 grams of 100% NaOH crystals. I soaked the PhosBan for approx 10 hours, and rinsed four times using DI water.
Each rinse after the NaOH soak produced a foul smelling, dark green to brown liquid. As expected, some of the PhosBan deteriorated. The overall color of the PhosBan turned very dark brown, almost black.
After rinsing the PhosBan three more times using DI water, the liquid is still a rusty/clay colored. I am hesitant to put this back into my filter/tank.
Randy/ScooterTDI/other smart chemistry people: Is it possible the NaOH soak had a greater impact on the granular GFO, and actually broke some of the chemical bonds that hold the PhosBan grains together causing the deterioration and the strong colored liquids?
Is it possible the NaOH soak had a greater impact on the granular GFO, and actually broke some of the chemical bonds that hold the PhosBan grains together causing the deterioration and the strong colored liquids?
Yes. The solubility of iron actually increases as pH rises above pH 8 or so due to the formation of Fe(OH)4- .
I am not sure what is holding the particles together in a granular form, but if you dissolve away the iron that is bridging between tiny particles, they may be released into solution.
Yes. The solubility of iron actually increases as pH rises above pH 8 or so due to the formation of Fe(OH)4- .
I am not sure what is holding the particles together in a granular form, but if you dissolve away the iron that is bridging between tiny particles, they may be released into solution.
jason2459
Well-known member
So, would pellet form of GFO be more resilient to the regeneration process?
vegaskid11
vegasreefers.com
Looks like Rowa would be out too then.
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ScooterTDI
New member
I've been using a pelletized GFO without any problems. Although not really pellets, Pura Poshlock hasn't given me any issues either. I absolutely hate Phosban and will never purchase it again. It crumbles way to easily. I actually bought some for regeneration testing because it is a well known and widely used product. I put it in a mesh bag my sump and it turned into a rock within a week. Stupidly, I gave the solidified mass a gently squeeze while it was in my sump to break it up and my sump ended up looking like a dust storm on Mars. I had to drain, remove, clean, and refill the sump. Luckily, the return pump wasn't on when this happened, so none of the dust reached the display.
Scott
That's a reasonable guess. 
SWINGRRRR
Premium Member
Any idea roughly how much 4grams is in tablespoons or teaspoons? I know it doesnt have to be exact, but I dont have access to a scale at all.
One teaspoon.
klasiksb
Active member
So I mixed 10 tsp. of lye (100%) into 1 litre of RO/DI water. Added about 2 cups of BRE Pellet GFO and it's sitting in a small bucket.
What would be good way to handle everything after the soaking period? Removal, etc? Probably should have thought of this before starting the soak, lol.
What would be good way to handle everything after the soaking period? Removal, etc? Probably should have thought of this before starting the soak, lol.
I would not dry it out.
