GFO and Carbon Reactor???

sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Hi all,
I was running carbon in a filter bag in the back of a HOB power filter. The power filter was creating lots of tiny micro bubbles and I decided that I would remove it and put the carbon bag in my skimmer (also HOB). Well that did not work out so well. The bag backed up the skimmer and filled the collection cup in about 3 hours. This would not be so bad except that the wife checked out the tank 18 hours later and the cup overflowed a bunch.
So, I took the carbon bag out and now I just have LR and the skimmer to keep the water clean. I really liked the benefits of carbon and would like to use it.
What does everyone think about the GFO and Carbon reactors that you can get? I am thinking that adding the GFO would be good as well as the carbon. I am looking at a dual unit (looks like a mini RO/DI unit) and the price is not too bad, but you have to buy the pump seperate (looks like a Maxi-Jet would work).
I have a 29g reef tank, but would like to start buying things that would transfer over to a BIG tank in the future ( year or so).
Please let me know some of the pros and cons of a dual GFO and Carbon reactor.
Thanks.
Ryan
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Thanks for the replys!!
This helps a lot. I know I need something now. How would a cannister filter compare to just using a reactor? They type of cannister filter where you have like 3 or 4 different compartments for media.
When I upgrade to a bigger tank I will want to use a sump, so I think a reactor would be good for now and later. But I am a little uneasy about getting rid of my power filter and I think that a cannister would be good as well. I heard that cannisters are Nitrate factories.
Any thoughts???
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Before I had reactors I ran Carbon and GFO in my Fluval canister, I actually still do. Even though I have a sump, I use the fluval for some extra water movement, and it's on my battery back up if the electric goes out, so something will continue to filter the tank. The canisters are actually a good place for it since the water will constantly be moving through it. The big thing with canister filters is keeping them clean.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/384822/gfo-and-carbon-reactor#post_3372805
Before I had reactors I ran Carbon and GFO in my Fluval canister, I actually still do. Even though I have a sump, I use the fluval for some extra water movement, and it's on my battery back up if the electric goes out, so something will continue to filter the tank. The canisters are actually a good place for it since the water will constantly be moving through it. The big thing with canister filters is keeping them clean.
Good to know. Well now I have a decesion to make. I wanna get this made soon, because I am not running the carbon right now and don't have a filter. Thanks for the input BTLD!!!
 
cam78

cam78

Active Member
I got my reactor from Bulk Reef supply. I run GFO 24/7 and Carbon every month or so for about 3 days. I love that company though.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
I got the single GFO reactor just last month, I passed on the duel reactor because I've read that the carbon side would collect the fines in the water column and slow both reactors down, not sure if there is anything to that or not. The way I understand it if this happens to you on a duel reactor you will simply have to tweek the valve up a little to keep the GFO dancing the way it should. So far I've seen good things using this reactor and it can be used with carbon and GFO in the single reactor.
Thomas712
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Okay, I pulled the trigger on something. Instead of getting a reactor I decided to buy a bigger tank!!!! I was thinking of just running a canister filter on the 29g. I got on CL and searched for one. Found a Fluval 404 for $250.00... A little high on price, but it came with a 125g tank and stand, some T-5 lights (nothing special but at least they are T-5's). It also came with some other things that I am not going to use. But I am super happy with my new purchase. I am going to sit on the 125g for a while until I can plan my build. I want to take it slow and do it right the first time, so I will be saving some $ and asking lots of questions on here and reading a ton.

Good news is I got the canister filter going this weekend and I am running that Chempure Elite stuff, along with some GFO. The water looks good, I can tell a major difference already. All of this and only one major disaster: the new canister was leaking a bit (thank god I put it in a big tote) and I figured that I would turn it off at night so it did not leak anymore. I did close the intake line (the siphone was going strong all night long) and when I got up in the morning I had about 10g of water in the tote and a half empty tank. Got new water back in asap (this is why you always have some made up SW) and redid the filter and made sure there were no leaks. I have been checking up on it every hour since. So far no leaks. ALL IS GOOD!!!!!!!!
Just wanted to share.
Ryan.
 
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