Options for Carbon / GFO: Reactor versus filter bags

[SpokaneSteve]

Hello all:

I am wanting to continue to run some carbon in my system and seem to periodically need GFO as well. I am concerned about running it full-time in a reactor and stripping phosphates to zero. So here is what I am considering:

1. Continue to use carbon/GFO periodically in filter socks as needed, letting them deplete down some so they aren't as "harsh" OR

2. Try a reactor (probably the BRS value one) and put it on a controlled outlet so that I can have it run on a daily schedule. Say maybe 4 hours a day spaced out?

Has anyone tried carbon/GFO on a schedule? Will that work? Will it address my concerns about being too chemically aggressive.

I have a refugium I am trying to get running but so far my cheat seems to be barely alive. The first chunk I put in seemed to melt away to nothing.....

I have also bee considering an algae scrubber instead of a refugium.

But until I get the refugium / algae rubber going I want to keep nitrates and phosphates under some control and use some carbon for water clarity.

Thoughts? recomendations? Pertinent experiences?

Thanks much!

Cheers, Steve.

 

[Spare time]

I just put gfo in a bag. For the refugium, consider dosing chaetogro and see how macroalgae does then. Carbon should be run 24/7. It isn't going to strip the water of things needed.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Get a cheapy BRS canister reactor, need to buy tubing, pump, connectors, etc

Or one of the cheapy Lifegard reactors, which are better, self contained with a pump and all the parts you need

Put a small bag of GAC and a small bag of GFO

Run it and see

Report back with your results. I like mine

Best thing about the BRS canister, is it doesn't take up sump space. If you don't have a sump or room in your sump the Lifegard isn't going to work

 

[Solo McReefer]

consider dosing chaetogro

Consider that ChaetoGrō has everything in it

That you are running a refugium or algae reactor to take out

 

[VintageReefer]

I don’t think 4 hours a day will be enough to make any improvement.

You’d be better off running 24x7 and just adjusting the amount of carbon/gfo

that gfo will clump up if it’s not constantly tumbling, and then it’s useless