Updated pics

I'm thinking of running my ozone through an old skimmer as well, have it connected to my barr 5220, but even though it's supposed to be ok I'd rather not risk it. my orp averages about 325 or so, I'm running everything off of an acII, use kalk for all my top off as you are doing along with a large 2 cyl ca reactor, ph seems to run on the high side 8.5-8.7 during the photoperiod, alk around 9-10, I'm using reef crystals.
I run carbon now and then, have read pro's and con's regarding how long to run it, I guess you don't feel it usefulness is short lived?
 
No, I think it continues to work for some time. I have no conclusive evidence to site, just my observations. I think you could find some in the chemistry forum though if you did a search. I have a diatom filter that I sometimes charge with powdered carbon and run it when I clean or do maintenence in the tank. It does an amazing job of polishing the water.
 
This is a pic of the schuran calcium reactor. I feed it into an old Koralin reactor that serves as a second stage. I had it lying around so I figured I might as well make use of it. From there it goes into the sump. However, first I have the effluent bubble up through a cup of GFO since calcium reactors have been shown to contribute significant phosphate.
3140mini-IMG_0045.JPG
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11485838#post11485838 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefkeeper2
This is a pic of the schuran calcium reactor. I feed it into an old Koralin reactor that serves as a second stage. I had it lying around so I figured I might as well make use of it. From there it goes into the sump. However, first I have the effluent bubble up through a cup of GFO since calcium reactors have been shown to contribute significant phosphate.
3140mini-IMG_0045.JPG
Click to expand...

so you have two ca reactors connected in series? How do they add phosphate? Is there phosphate in coral skeletons?
 
The process of disolving calcium into solution generally precipitates phosphate. I run my effluent through a GFO reactor. And BTW, if you use media like Schuran or the Gen-X knock-off, soaking it in RO/DI water prior to using it will draw off quite a bit of PO4. What I do is soak it in a 5g bucket and test the water. Then I drain it and soak it again. When the test shows zero, I then put it in my reactor. This little tip came from Steve Weast on his last visit, and his point was, why burn the GFO when you can soak the PO4 out of the media? This allows the GFO to last a lot longer.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11486405#post11486405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
The process of disolving calcium into solution generally precipitates phosphate.
Click to expand...

I'm tyring to understand this, if the process precipitates phosphate, phosphate levels would go down, is phosphate a bi product from dissolving coral skeletons with CO2?
 
I may have not written that correctly. It is common knowledge that calcium reactors produce PO4 but maybe precipitate is not the correct word. As I stated, you can soak PO4 out of coral bones, so I am not sure that it is entirely dependent on CO2.
 
ahh, then there is probably phosphate in or on the coral skeleton, I'm surprised you can soak it out though, I'm wondering if it gets soaked out after it's been in the reactor for a while?
 
yes, and into your water column. That's the whole point of running the effluent through GFO (or some people use carbon).
 
but it's temporary, in other words it gets soaked out, so there is no reason to continue running the effluent through GFO, right?
 
I don't know that it is temporary. All the advanced reef keepers I know run their effluent through GFO. I don't understand the chemistry enough to give you an answer to that, but you might get one iin the reef chemistry forum.
 
The GFO will eventually get exhausted. I replace it every 6 to 8 weeks depending on PO4 levels or how the aquarium looks. If I see algae growing on the acrylic just two days after I have cleaned it, it's time to change the GFO.
 
Same here. I use an entire canister 1000g and swap it about every 6 - 8 weeks. But I change my carbon out much more often. I can post a pic of my multi-media reactor if you are interested.
 
have you had any bad experiences using GFO? I understand if GFO particulates get into the display coral bleaching or rtn can occur?
 
It has been some time since I have seen your tank thread. Your tank is still an inspiration for me. Keep up the good work and give me more inspiration. :)
 
tbone28: If you are referring to the Schuran/Gen-X media, it seems to take about 3 days. I will soak it for a day, test the water, change out for fresh RO/DI and soak it again. It's not very scientific, but it seems to take about 3 days for my test to show zero. Keep in mind that I am using the Deltec/Merck PO4 test.
 
Actually, the only times I have had RTN in my tank was the same week I switched out the GFO. This could be coincidence of course, but I wonder if it has happened to anyone else. Perhaps a sudden dramatic drop in PO4 can induce RTN?
And thanks everbody for all the compliments on my tank. I would never have accomplished it without the help I have gotten here and the BRS website.
 
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