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GFO / Carbon

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by ThyRaven, Nov 3, 2011.

  1. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I am looking into ways of helping my skimmer.   My skimmer is about 35 gallons to small for my water volume.  I know it would probably be easier to just get a bigger model but the funds are a tad short.  So I was looking for a DIY GFO / Carbon reactor that would help clean up the water in my tank.  I have 185 gallons of water right now.  Not sure if I'll be increasing that anytime soon or not so to be safe I want something that can handle 200, maybe even 250 gallons of water.
    Any ideas?  My skimmer is filling the collection cup in 48 hrs and my water is really cloudy.  I've been doing water changes, about 60 gallons, every week as well.  Switched to Coralife Reef Salt last week as well.
     
  2. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    Get a dual reactor from BRS. They are about $60.

    Good idea going GFO & Carbon, I wouldnt run a system without both.
     
  3. vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

    734
    Cedar Falls
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    What is your skimmate like? Is it really light or pretty dark?
     
  4. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Really dark. And stinks really bad. I have the Reef Octo 150NW and man does it do its job.

    @Craig - I've seen nothing but issues with the BRS reactor having issues with the carbon so you have to constantly change the flow for the water to make it thru the carbon and to keep the GFO bouncing right.

    I have an idea. I'll draw it up later. It is based on the BRS model just the water would come in on center where each reactor had its own feed from my mag 12 or mag 5 not sure what i want for flow yet and then each reactor would have its own flow control just built where that there is only need for one pump to feed the reactors. Plus that dual is only good enough for a 120g and I am looking for something that can help me clear 250g.
     
  5. Reefman

    Reefman Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I have that same issue with the Dual BRS.... I was thinking I needed something bigger than the Maxi Jet 1200.....
     
  6. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I was going to use a Mag 12. Not sure what the output of the Maxi Jet 1200 is. I was going to use my Mag 12 with either 1/2" or 3/4" PVC instead of 1" to speed up the flow thru the canisters. Let me get my design on paper (or Word) so I can get it on here so we all can hash out a plan and see if it'll work. I have no issue making more or listing off the parts so that others can use the design idea. I might even get with Turbo and see what he could put together with his acrylic shop.
     
  7. RabbitReef

    RabbitReef Inactive User

    136
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    +1
    I am very happy with my dual reactor from BRS.  The price is reasonable. I use GFO and Carbon.  It keeps my phos down.  /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif
     
  8. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    what flow rate are you pushing thru the dual reactor? Also what size tank? Per the BRS videos the dual reactor is only meant for a 120 gallon tank. I have a 185 gallons and want to make sure my GFO/carbon is rate for 250 gallons of water. was looking at the jumbos but I dont want to spend $120 each.
     
  9. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    A couple of things;

    Carbon and skimmers employ different method to achieve essentially the same objective = organic protein reduction. Although skimmers are more effective at achieving this over the long term. Carbon is most effective during it's first 3 days of use, and it's effectiveness drops off sharply afterwards. Carbon also improves water clarity better than skimming alone due to the removal of organic tannins. In order to effectively employ carbon, you should replace it once every 2 weeks. (and take care to use high quality carbon only and rinse it well as it has been indicated in a positive correlation with HLLE)

    GFO provides a service that carbon and skimming cannot, phosphate removal. GFO only needs to be tumbled to keep it from caking into a solid mass, but does not actually need to tumble to be effective. Alternatively you can increase flow rate every 2 days or so to break up masses that form and continue using it at a lower flow rate. This is a problem that running carbon and GFO at the same flow rate causes. Additionally, the largest critiques of GFO is that it has a tenancy to drop PO4 QUICKLY. Anecdotal evidence exists to suggest that this is just as, if not more stressful than elevated PO4 levels alone. Although long term PO4 elevation will lead to inhibition of growth and eventually coral death.

    If it was me, I would buy two reactors and run them off of an oversized system pump, usually the BRS reactors have 1/4" murlock/pex/jayco/john guest speed fit pieces. A 1/4" mpt (PVC) x 1/4" pex fitting can be easily aquired at any hardware store and fit into the appropirate sized PVC T with a 1/4" bushing. An inline tball valve can be used to independently control the flow of each channel. Alternatively you can use both GFO and carbon in one reactor and run it at a lower speed. The carbon will break up the compounding of GFO but will exhaust sooner, so you will want to measure out only 2 weeks worth of GFO as not to waste it. This has the added benefit of more continuous filtration of PO4 with each fresh addition of GFO and removes the risk of having large PO4 fluctuations.
     
  10. Nik Experienced Reefkeeper

    Windsor Heights
    Ratings:
    +13 / 0 / -0
    I run a BRS dual on my 135 (200 with sump). And am happy with it, I use a rio2500 dialed down to about 3/4. I am considring adding another one, that way I do not worry about the 120 gallon rating and will run 1 dual with both carbon and 1 dual with both GFO i think my rio or my mag 12 will run both fine.  120 for 2 duals is better than 240 for the jumbos.
     
  11. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I like your thinking Nik. Might look into that route. Was looking at DIYing this as well. I've also sent a message to turbo to see what he could think up.
     
  12. ronron

    ronron

    43
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    The BRS reactors are 1/2 inch and I have found using the BRS bio-pellet cartridge in place of the standard cartridge tumbles the GFO better.
     
  13. Nedim

    Nedim Inactive User

    74
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I have been running the BRS reactor for a couple days now. Easy to set up, havent seen any improvement yet, but im sure i will
     
  14. ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

    919
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Was trying to keep this closer to $50 or $75 not $120ish. Any other ideas?
     
  15. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    yeah i would get 1 reactor with a pump and use it for gfo then a little later get another for carbon.
    http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewItem.aspx?idProduct=TL4311&child=TL4311&utm_source=MarineDepot.com+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1d97715928-Best_of_Awards11_3_2011&utm_medium=email&mc_cid=1d97715928&mc_eid=add719f38d
     
  16. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    The BRS Heavy Duty single chamber reactors are great. They use 1/2" fittings vs. the 1/4" the others use. All things considered, you shouldn't need more flow than what the 1/4" plumbing can deliver.

    Another thing to consider...you may be able to get the chambers for the reactor cheaper from your local hardware store, then buy the inserts (the part that holds the media) from BRS. I'm not sure if they would end up cheaper in the long run or not considering that you might have to change the plumbing fittings and stuff like that to get them hooked up, but it's something to look into.

    Remember, a fluidized reactor is just a container with media in it. You can buy coarse filter sponge media and use that to contain your media and use just about any kind of container that you can get consistent water movement through. Evenly distributed, consistent water flow is key. They don't make square reactors for a reason...the flow of water can't be effectively distributed across the entire area and it wouldn't make best use of your media. The stuff in the middle would get used up before the stuff in the corners, but you would have to change it all at the same time. If you could find some clear PVC cheap, you might be able to make some from that. Honestly though...you're best off just waiting for a used one to come up for sale. I just sold a BRS Dual reactor last week for $25. It wasn't in pristine condition, but was a good deal for the money.

    Finally, if going DIY, think about ease of maintenance. I love the BRS reactors because they are easy to open up, change out the media, and put back into use. Frequently, ease of maintenance takes a back seat with many DIY designs...and all you're doing is creating more work for yourself in the long run.

    Not sure why your water is cloudy, but you may also want to consider filter socks. Just get a half dozen or so because you will want to change them every other day to keep them from becoming a nitrate factory.

    --AJ
     

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