Gfo, Bio Pellet Or Carbon?

[Mr fox]

Not sure which I should use in this reactor also looking for a maxi to run it trying to get my fuge all setup and I think this is benificial and needs to be integrated

 

[reef keeper]

I believe it's carbon or gfo.

 

[Mr fox]

Yes but I'm saying which of the 3 should I use

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Yes but I'm saying which of the 3 should I use

Depends what your tryin to battle. Bio pellets lower nitrates, GFO phosphates, and carbon is for keeping your water clear, and keeping smell down for the most part. Currently i only run gfo, and biopellets to keep P04 and N03 down.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

I cant speak to much on the carbon front because ive never used it, but from what i understand thats its main functions in a aquarium. Hope that helps.

 

[Mr fox]

I cant speak to much on the carbon front because ive never used it, but from what i understand thats its main functions in a aquarium. Hope that helps.

Would like to keep the algae down but eliminating nitrates is also important and I only have 1 reactor

 

[davesolo29]

Where the hell is oil springs? Weren't you up by Stanley park not that long ago?


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[Mr fox]

No oil springs is near Sarnia and always live in this area

 

[Bigfish]

When I ran bio pellets, they pretty well wiped out all the macro in my fuge. After that, I used to run 50/50 carbon and gfo mixed in one reactor which worked pretty well. these days I only rely on my fuge and skimmer to take care of nutrients and have no problems. only have to clean the glass once a week. Be careful if you decide to run bio pellets on an already established tank. They can cause a lot of negative issues.

 

[davesolo29]

If you are looking for another reactor I have a tlf 150 and 550 sitting here collecting dust.


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[Mr fox]

Would I be able to run both inline on one pump? Or do they have to be separate

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Not pellets and gfo. Both need different flow rates.You can run carbon and gfo off one pump tho.

 

[Mr fox]

So is it even worth running bio pellets if it kills macro?

 

[saltyair]

Can't believe I'm jumping in on this lol.

if you are going with a refug don't run bio-pellets.

only run gfo if you have to - and you can run carbon and gfo on the same reactor. Either mixing them or sectioning off gfo on the bottom and packing the carbon on top. Splitting them is the most effective.
What is your po4 and no3?
also gfo can effect ph and alk.
do you run a skimmer?

 

[JamesHurst]

Ive never had biopellets kill my macro. Sounds like you were using too much. I run pellets. Gfo and carbon only when needed, but on a 2nd reactor, seperate pump.

IMO pellets FTW. Carbon can be hung frop the top ring of the tlf reactor, in a media bag to prevent it from tumbling with the pellets, but still allow it to have water passing through it.

Pellets will also help with phosphates, just not as much as GFO, but primarily they reduce nitrates.

 

[Mr fox]

So my question is what I should be using in this reactor I have never used one before trying to figure out what media should be used regularly and my fuge will be sand rock and macro so I don't won't anything that will kill it off as others have stated has happened to them

 

[JamesHurst]

Well, do you have the foam ring for the bottom of the reactor? Theres one for each of the red plates. You will need that for carbon or gfo.

For pellets, you need a mesh plastic ring instead of the foam rings, easily DIY-able.

My personal recommendation, from someone who uses all 3, is: pellets in the reactor, and a small media bag of carbon hanging from the top ring. This way the carbon is suspended above the pellets but wont get tumbled and break down since its in a bag.

Only add 50ml per week max of pellets to avoid adverse effects on an already established system.

Add gfo when you get your hands on another reactor and pump.

 

[saltyair]

Ive never had biopellets kill my macro. Sounds like you were using too much. I run pellets. Gfo and carbon only when needed, but on a 2nd reactor, seperate pump.

IMO pellets FTW. Carbon can be hung frop the top ring of the tlf reactor, in a media bag to prevent it from tumbling with the pellets, but still allow it to have water passing through it.

Pellets will also help with phosphates, just not as much as GFO, but primarily they reduce nitrates.

I had a 25 gal refug that stared to die off causing issues. You are correct most bio-pellets don't have the ability to pull out po4.
I use all in one bio-pellets they pull both po4 and no3 at very good absorption rates. I don't run gfo anymore my po4 is .03 with heavy feeding.
http://www.dvh-import.com/index.php/products/all-in-one-biopellets.html

 

[pulpfiction1]

ive been so curiuos about these all in one,any chance you can post a video or some pics?

 

[TORX]

ive been so curiuos about these all in one,any chance you can post a video or some pics?

I have seen them. Mostly for smaller systems IMHO. The same would be a 1/3 tlf 150 with carbon, then a sponge to hold it down, then add 1/3 gfo.