Best GFO?

[weaglereefer]

Is there a difference in the brands of GFO? I've been running Phosban in a reactor since my tank started, changing it every 2 months. I'm about to have to buy some more and can find 1lb (2200grams) on eBay for under $30 shipped, where as Phosban runs $15 for 150grams. Is there any benefit to running a brand name GFO? Could this be mixed with carbon in the reactor, or will the two grind each other down to nothing? I currently run 150 grams, so just a whole container of Phosban, which is easy to measure.

I'm not asking about the benefits of running GFO vs. non-GFO, simply if the brand matters.

This is the stuff I was looking at FYI:

 

[derek_s]

I dont think so, if it is true GFO.

Phosban is a synthetic GFo, what that means I dunno, but it, along with other proprietary commercial products arent pure GFO, but combinations of things, I believe. They probably are a little safer to use than gfo if you dont know what you are doing, but GFO is ok as long as you acclimate your aquarium to it slowly.

I use the GFO from bulk reef supply (bulkreefsupply.com), which is a reputable company for gfo, and pretty cheap. I dont know much about the ebay company, and I'd be hesitant about the quality in regards to impurities that may leach into the system, but I really cant say for sure. It could be fine.

 

[derek_s]

Also, I just looked at BRS, and they are about $30 for a pound as well, shipped.

 

[ralph atl]

bulreefsupply.com is a great source.

GFO isn't going to last more than 2-4 weeks, btw.

 

[enderg60]

mysterybox;273228 wrote: bulreefsupply.com is a great source.

GFO isn't going to last more than 2-4 weeks, btw.

yes and no.

BRS is a great place to get this stuff. Im about to order a 5gal bucket of it after using up my 1 gal i got last time.

and it will last untill it gets saturated. I usually recommend you slowly work your way up to a full reactor(over about 2-3 months) then just test your phosphates to see how long it takes for them to reach levels you can read agian. then its time to change it.

 

[ralph atl]

EnderG60;273234 wrote: yes and no.

BRS is a great place to get this stuff. Im about to order a 5gal bucket of it after using up my 1 gal i got last time.

and it will last untill it gets saturated. I usually recommend you slowly work your way up to a full reactor(over about 2-3 months) then just test your phosphates to see how long it takes for them to reach levels you can read agian. then its time to change it.

for best results, you shouldn't put more than 12-15 tablespoons in a standard 2Lf reactor. You want the top to look like it's about 2 boil, and you do not want the water channeling through the GFO. GFO will turn into a brick shortly.

of course, the only way to find out if it's saturated or not is by testing with a phosphate kit that measures in the low range. This would be DD Merck, HACH, Colormeter, and maybe Elos.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php</a>


[IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/faq.php?cID=2">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/faq.php?cID=2</a>

 

[derek_s]

Ralph, where do you get teh Merck, Hach, etc tests?

 

[ralph atl]

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=251">http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=251</a>


[IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/">http://www.marinedepot.com/</a>


[IMG]http://www.hach.com/hc/view.file.invoker/224800/View=FILCAT_MAN_TESTKITS-SINGLEPARAM/NewLinkLabel=Test+Kit+Manuals%252C+Single-Parameter/PREVIOUS_BREADCRUMB_ID=HC_SEARCH_PRODUCT224800/SESSIONID%7CBkV4TlRnNE1ETXlOVFUwTXpBbVozVmxjM1JGVmc9PUFsVmFWeg==%7C">http://www.hach.com/hc/view.file.invoker/224800/View=FILCAT_MAN_TESTKITS-SINGLEPARAM/NewLinkLabel=Test+Kit+Manuals%252C+Single-Parameter/PREVIOUS_BREADCRUMB_ID=HC_SEARCH_PRODUCT224800/SESSIONID%7CBkV4TlRnNE1ETXlOVFUwTXpBbVozVmxjM1JGVmc9PUFsVmFWeg==%7C</a>

 

[derek_s]

Thanks. Neat to read the reviews...

 

[crew]

synthetic = artificial, manmade

 

[weaglereefer]

Like I said, I've been using 150grams of Phosban 2 months at a time, with a Maxi-Jet 600 running unrestricted and it tumbles the media quite nicely, not enough to grind it up, but it is clearly tumbling.

What was that media that was mixed with carbon? Any thoughts on that?

 

[enderg60]

mysterybox;273251 wrote: for best results, you shouldn't put more than 12-15 tablespoons in a standard 2Lf reactor. You want the top to look like it's about 2 boil, and you do not want the water channeling through the GFO. GFO will turn into a brick shortly.

of course, the only way to find out if it's saturated or not is by testing with a phosphate kit that measures in the low range. This would be DD Merck, HACH, Colormeter, and maybe Elos.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php</a>


[IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/faq.php?cID=2">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/faq.php?cID=2</a>[/QUOTE]


15 tbs would last about a week in my tank. Besides as long as you slowly aclimate your system to it there is no problem besides alk drop.

Ive never had an problem running my reactor as much as half full on the 58g. and the denitrator sucks up way more alk then the GFO does so it makes little difference.

 

[weaglereefer]

Well I didn't know lower ALK was a side effect, but that's great! I actually have a problem keeping my alk low, as it likes to hover around 13-14, despite having 440 CA and 1300 Mg.