Running GFO and Carbon through single reactor?

[drillsar]

Am I supposed to mix the carbon and gfo together and then use the black foam discs, what flow rate? Also what pump should I get for the TLF Reactor? I currently have a Maxi-jet 400

 

[jerpa]

If you are running them together they should be mixed. You can't tumble the carbon and GFO together because the carbon will be ground up. Mixing will help prevent the GFO from clumping with the lower flow rate.

 

[drillsar]

ok so you think a maxi-jet 400 would be fine? or better pump?

 

[jaynigz]

I'm running both in same reactor for my 34g neo-nano. Like Jerpa said, it has to be mixed and I would recommend something stronger than Maxi Jet 400(100gph rated). I run a sicce 1.0 with 260gph rated. It's a bit more than I need but I can tinker with the flow with the TLF reactor.

 

[drillsar]

Ok good to know. I plan on buying it today. Thanks

 

[drillsar]

Ok another question, How much carbon and gfo do I use? Carbon says every 10 gallons 1 tablespoon, GFO says use 50g per 100 gallons of water, I only have a 10 gallon tank. I was told to mix it 50/50

 

[jaynigz]

use this:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator

for a 10 gallon, it's 1 tablespoon of each. And to clarify, you can probably get away with a weaker pump if you're only running 1 tablespoon of each media. I was under the impression that you would use more.

 

[kb3777]

Be careful mixing them together. You should try a dual reactor. BRS sells one. Also your going to need a bit more power then that pump. Look into Sicce Silent series for pumps.

 

[jerpa]

You don't have to mix them 50/50. I typically use twice as much carbon as GFO. I would start with a lower dose than the calculator recommends if you have never run GFO before. The rapid decrease in phosphates can stress corals. You may also find you don't need to run as much as recommended.

 

[l8_apex_it]

I place the carbon, foam disc, then GFO. The carbon is kept from tumbling by the foam below and above it. The GFO tumbles freely. Have done it this way for a few years.

 

[seth_cooper]

If you are running them together they should be mixed. You can't tumble the carbon and GFO together because the carbon will be ground up. Mixing will help prevent the GFO from clumping with the lower flow rate.

Urban legand.

I have been tumbling the two in a NextReef MR1 for over a year. I just changed my carbon and GFO last weekend, after about 3 months(been rather busy and the tank got put on the back burner). All of the carbon that I put in was still there. You would think, after 3 months of tumbling, there would not be any carbon left...but it was still there. Long exhausted, but still there.:rollface:

 

[jaynigz]

+1 I been using carbon/GFO mix for a while on my 34g neo nano. And yes, I tumble it but I do send the feed to my socket. My water is crystal clean and nutrient free. No clumping with a sicce 1.0. I change both media once a month.

 

[nam2212]

I also have a 34G and use the TLF smaller reactor. I use way more than the recommended dose. I fill the chamber about halfway with GFO. That lasts me a couple of weeks. I have been doing this for about 6 months and I have seen the GHA in my tank grow back a little slower. I have reduced feeding considerably and still have GHA grow back in the sand and a small amount on the rock.

 

[jaynigz]

Nam, check your nitrate levels. Running gfo depletes phosphates but does not remove nitrates. If you can't lower nitrates via water changes, I will consider a form of carbon dosing.

 

[nam2212]

Nam, check your nitrate levels. Running gfo depletes phosphates but does not remove nitrates. If you can't lower nitrates via water changes, I will consider a form of carbon dosing.

I check both levels about once a month. Nitrates are always 0 and phosphates have gone down to 0 as well but I still have GHA. I am not sure if it will just take time to rid the GHA or if there is another problem. I use a Hanna checker for phospates.

 

[jaynigz]

Turbo or Astraea snails brah.

 

[nam2212]

I have both as well as a blue tuxedo urchin.

 

[jaynigz]

Are we talking about influx of gha? A little here and there is no big deal. Get a Blenny.

 

[nam2212]

I used peroxide to rid the tank of a huge infestation a few months ago. It worked surprisingly well and grows back much slower than it once did. It grows in the sand about 2' a week in areas of lower flow. It also grows on some of the rocks right at the sandbed and behind corals for the most part. I feel it is under control for the most part but I just wish I could get rid of it completely. I have had dozens of reef tanks over the years and have never had an issue with GHA until now.

 

[fda483]

I used peroxide to rid the tank of a huge infestation a few months ago. It worked surprisingly well and grows back much slower than it once did. It grows in the sand about 2' a week in areas of lower flow. It also grows on some of the rocks right at the sandbed and behind corals for the most part. I feel it is under control for the most part but I just wish I could get rid of it completely. I have had dozens of reef tanks over the years and have never had an issue with GHA until now.

Can you give some details on how you used peroxide? Did you spot treat the GHA?