carbon/phosphate remover

OK...I'll try to answer all those questions:

I think Bulk Reef Supply has the best prices...even with paying the shipping charge.   You know what would be ideal, is if Pet's Playhouse started stocking the Bulk Reef Supply product line so we had a local source for their products; but until they do, online is the way to go.

I purchased a large quantity when it was on special last month and I would be willing to sell you a portion of what I purchased. We can work out specifics over PM.
Here's a link to the GFO - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Carbon-and-Phosphate-Remover-GFO-Phosphate-Remover-%28GFO%29-High-Capacity-GFO/c109_8_89/index.html
Here's a link to the carbon - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Carbon-and-Phosphate-Remover-GFO-Bulk-Carbon/c109_6/p349/1.5-Pounds-Premium-ROX-0.8-Carbon/product_info.html

Here's what the guys at Bulk Reef Supply have to say about how much GFO to use when using a media bag:
1. Determine the amount of GFO needed. Start with 2 grams per gallon of water in the system. After a few months the organisms in the tank will have adjusted to the lower phosphate environment. At this time the amount of Granular and Pelletized GFO can be increased to 3-5 grams per gallon of water. Please note that these amounts are suggested starting points. As each tank is different it may be necessary to vary the amount used for better results.
2. Rinse the GFO. Rinse with RO/DI water or water from the tank to remove the dust created from storage and transport. Avoid grinding the material back and forth as this will cause more dust. Simple let the water run over the mesh bag or gently swish the bag through the water.
3. Place the bag in an area of the tank with good flow, such as the sump.

Carbon and GFO can and frequently are mixed together. Ideally, a media reactor is the best situation for using your carbon and GFO because it does a better job of making sure that the water is going thru the media and not around it. The water will always take the path of least resistance, and if you don't have your media bag in a place that forces the water to pass thru it, it will simply flow around it and not do you much good. If you're going to use a media bag, place it in a location that forces the water to pass thru it.

If you decide to use a reactor at some point in the future, here's a few things to keep in mind...
GFO can grind down and release filings into your tank...you don't want that. The proper amount of flow is just enough water so that you see the top of the GFO tumbling gently.
Carbon can clump into a block when detritus makes its way into the carbon. Carbon can be run at a higher flow rate to prevent clumping.

I rinse my carbon and GFO in tap water. Some people say (including the BRS guys) that you should use RO water, but I figure for the short amount of time that I have it under tap water, it's not going to absorb enough stuff to significantly reduce the life of the media.

I think that's all your questions. Let me know if you have any others.

--AJ

 

I can get you carbon by the cubic foot.. how much do you want? One pallet or two? /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/shocked.gif

 

The idea of the media bag is to put it someplace where you force the flow to go thru the bag. Water will always take the path of least resistance and if given other ways to flow, it will bypass your media bag. As to where to put it, I'm not familar enough with the BioCubes to know what a good place for that would be. Who else has a BioCube 29 that could recommend good placement for a media bag?
As for amount to use, I would look on the jar to see what they recommend.  If no recommendations are given, I would use the information from Bulk Reef Supply that I sent you before.

--AJ

 

I have a scale that you can weigh it on if you want to bring it by some time. Otherwise you can just buy one. We use ours for all sorts of things. They are about $25 on Amazon. This is the one that we have. http://www.amazon.com/Escali-Primo-Digital-Multifunctional-Chrome/dp/B0007GAWRS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1258950350&sr=8-1

--AJ

 

Grams cannot be converted to teaspoons/tablespoons in this situation.   A gram is a weight and tsp/T is a volume.  For example 1tsp salt weighs more than 1tsp dried onion.  If you are using BRS's Rox 0.8 carbon, use 1 T of carbon for every 10 gals.  You can monitor your water clarity and contaminates, then adjust accordingly.  BRS suggests you replace it every 2 weeks or when the water begins to yellow, etc.
I believe BRS has instructions for the GFO as well as a reef calculator.  Depending on which GFO you are using will most likely depend on the amount.  GFO, like carbon, are made from different materials, composition (surface area), etc. so will be used (ie., amount) and spent (ie., need replacing) differently.  Most GFO is 'color changing' so some people use that as a guide for replacing...that is not the best way to determine when to change out the GFO.  Testing the water is a more accurate method and, more cost-conscious way.   Happy reefing!

 

You're welcome, SMW!