Any one using this BRS carbon and gfo reactor?
- Thread starter markl
- Start date
yup, I am kinda lazy as I only change out the GFO and carbon when I see phosphates or algae buildup, or every 6-8 weeks - whatever comes first...
I try to replace the pads every 8-10 months too..
I should have went with 2 seperate, larger units so I can replace the carbon more frequently and get more media in the containers
I try to replace the pads every 8-10 months too..
I should have went with 2 seperate, larger units so I can replace the carbon more frequently and get more media in the containers
Mark, I prefer using the single reactors instead of the dual since I run the flow through them at different rates. The flow through the GFO is usually a lot slower and is dependent on how much agitation there is at the surface of the media. The flow through the carbon can be much higher.
I change the GFO every four weeks and try to change the carbon every two weeks but many times it goes the four weeks and I change them at the same time.
I change the GFO every four weeks and try to change the carbon every two weeks but many times it goes the four weeks and I change them at the same time.
I also use the dual reactor and change media at 4 weeks. Wish I would have gotten the two separate reactors so I could have more flow to the carbon.
BRS suggests running the GFO first so the carbon catches any loose particles.
Because Carbon leaches a bit of phosphates I would never run it after GFO, if you did why even have GFO in the first place. Doesn't make sense to run a product to remove phosphates then have them reintroduced right back into the system. Furthermore you run the water flow through carbon much faster then you do GFO, so the chance of any loose particles going into the tank is small to none. I had my Carbon before GFO for well over two years and never had any problems. Of course this is all my own findings.
I have that same reactor (using carbon and PhosGuard). On the new system I plan to do carbon and GFO.
The idea of two separate reactors is good for the reason that Bud stated... but it can be done with this reactor. Mine doesn't have the bracket, so it is easy to see that the canisters are linked with large John Guest fittings and a short piece of tubing. You could simply take out the middle piece, and add two longer pieces (one exit for canister one, one entrance for canister two) and run them on two separate pumps or off a manifold. Of course, this may only be worth the trouble if, like me, you already have the dual. If I were buying new, I'd get two single reactors.
The idea of two separate reactors is good for the reason that Bud stated... but it can be done with this reactor. Mine doesn't have the bracket, so it is easy to see that the canisters are linked with large John Guest fittings and a short piece of tubing. You could simply take out the middle piece, and add two longer pieces (one exit for canister one, one entrance for canister two) and run them on two separate pumps or off a manifold. Of course, this may only be worth the trouble if, like me, you already have the dual. If I were buying new, I'd get two single reactors.
Similar threads
