Carbon, GFO, and/or Biopellets

[rrasco]

I am looking into possibly adding a reactor. I was initially looking into starting up on GFO to make sure my phosphates are under control...still need a hanna checker too. At any rate, as I did some research I started to get curious about biopellets. My main target is to keep phosphates in check but I'm not opposed to other nutrient control, such as nitrates. What's best for what while still keeping it relatively simple?

Is GFO or biopellets better at controlling phosphates? I never ran carbon, but with corals and alleopathy I am thinking it might not be a bad idea in a reef.

What do you run and why?

[Big_Pun]

bio pellets don't really control phosphates, they keep trates down but i still run gfo. I don't run less than the instructions state on bio pellets as not to sterilize my tank, then gfo for phosphates. when you strip the tank completely my sps look pale and softies suffer, you gotta learn your system and toe a fine line of not taking out too much stuff.

[koa25]

GFO is way better for controlling phosphates. BP's only remove small amounts as a side reaction. GFO is specifically geared towards prosphate removal. If you are having an issue with nitrates then biopellets. But i have around 20 ppm nitrates in my tank and never have any issues. I almost ran BP's to get it to zero (or close to) when i was in my anal stage. But all my sps is happy fine and growing at 20 ppm. So why fix what's not broken. GFO and carbon are never a bad idea. Especially Carbon. I have a dual reactor from BRS. not running at the moment. But that is what is normally going.

[rrasco]

I was looking at the BRS reactors. Their biopellets desc says something about controlling phosphates which is where I got that notion. I'm not too concerned about nitrates, I need to check them, but I keep them down with water changes. I think they were around 20 when I checked last time. I just want to starve out the dinos and little bubble algae I have. Everything looks good in my tank, but I think they are being held back by something. My guess is phosphates. My biggest concern with starting to run reactors/media is the re-occurring cost associated with replacing carbon/gfo.

[Teeb]

The biopellets do consume some P04, but not much in comparison to the nitrates. I do still run GFO with my BP as well. After running BP for over a year, my best suggestion is start off slowly with them and get a Reef Octopus reactor. I've used a couple of different reactors and the RO ones work infinitely better than modded GFO reactors.

[koa25]

I wouldn't get the BP's and BP reactor setup from BRS. I hear a lot of people have issues with it clogging even with the screen. I was recommended to ER with a next reactor or reef octo reactor and i forget the BP's they sell there. When you do put carbon and GFO on your tank add it slowely. That is why mine is down at the moment. I put the full amount recommended at the get go and i notice it was affecting my corals. So i was making it too clean too quick in my tank.

[Big_Pun]

I've used every brand of bio pellets an the best are Warner marines Eco Bak.
doesn't clump very lil slime when they are kicking in and the larger size makes them easier to tumble with out a big pump.

[rrasco]

I'm not sure I'm going to run BP yet, just evaluating my options at this point. I have a feeling I'm going to have to address the po4 issue at some point. I don't have a lot of algae, most of it is in the sump, but I do have to clean my glass every other day and blow off some corals occasionally from dinos. I think they're dinos.

[rrasco]

GFO is way better for controlling phosphates. BP's only remove small amounts as a side reaction. GFO is specifically geared towards prosphate removal. If you are having an issue with nitrates then biopellets. But i have around 20 ppm nitrates in my tank and never have any issues. I almost ran BP's to get it to zero (or close to) when i was in my anal stage. But all my sps is happy fine and growing at 20 ppm. So why fix what's not broken. GFO and carbon are never a bad idea. Especially Carbon. I have a dual reactor from BRS. not running at the moment. But that is what is normally going.

So, how do you like your dual reactor? I'm trying to figure out how to run carbon and GFO without having to buy two reactors. What pump did you have running your dual BRS? The BRS video was showing how to run GFO/carbon in the single reactor, said it wastes a little media since GFO lasts longer than carbon but it does cut down on equipment and things to maintain.

I'm liking the Next Reef MR1, decent price too and have heard nothing but great things about it. My concern is size and if I can hang it on the wall. I know one just popped up for sale here too, I was wondering if it is capable of running dual media too. I don't see why not. What are everyone's thoughts on running GFO/carbon together in one reactor?

What about rowaphos?

[dsachs09]

Ive had no issues with BRS dual reactor. Solved my phosphate issues.

[rrasco]

I've had a dual reactor running for about 24 hours now. I tested the water before I installed it with a Hanna phosphate checker which came up at 0.00ppm. Most of the phosphates are probably locked up in the algae in the sump and what grows on the DT glass. I cleaned the glass so we will see if it grows back as fast or not.

I decided to run half of what the BRS calculators suggested in an attempt to not shock my system. I'm always paranoid about adding something new to an otherwise stable system, you never know what could go wrong.

On that note, where does everyone have their reactors? In the sump or outside? I'm somewhat uneasy about pumping water out of my sump, into reactors outside the sump, and back in. If a connection fails it could drain the sump. I don't have an ideal place to put them above the sump, and I don't really want to. Mine are currently sitting in the stand next to the sump.

[Scutterborn]

I'm somewhat uneasy about pumping water out of my sump, into reactors outside the sump, and back in. If a connection fails it could drain the sump.

I'm with you on this idea. Is there no room in or at least above the sump?


-Ben-

[rrasco]

I'm evaluating the possibilities. I initially planned on running the lines to my fish room behind the tank and mounting them on the wall for easy maintenance. I am having thoughts of doing that and building some sort of drain pan that is routed to the sump; although that may be a bit much for me.