Can i add GFO and carbon in the same reactor??

[techhnyne]

Im looking to tumble GFO and have carbon in the same reactor and just have one on top of the other

has anyone done this or is it possible?

i have a IM 10G AIO and need gfo or some sort of phosphate export and was thinking this would be the best thing for mw without taking up and more space in the AIO

 

[Luis's Nano]

You could mix the two. Just make sure it doesn't tumble. I use a mixed carbon/gfo in my reactor.

 

[polyppal]

Generally they aren't mixed because the coarse GFO can grind on and release dust from the carbon. I have done it in the past though and didn't have any issues when regularly changing media. Id recommend ROX carbon if you go that route

 

[Miami Reef]

I prefer to have GFO in a reactor itself and have the carbon in a media bag in a high flow area of the sump.

 

[Tiki_Reef]

I have only seen one reactor that could combine media and tumble each media properly

 

[techhnyne]

I have only seen one reactor that could combine media and tumble each media properly

Thats pretty cool buy way to big for my setup

 

[Spare time]

Just use mostly carbon and 1/4 or 1/3 gfo. DO NOT let it tumble

 

[homer1475]

The BRS mini reactor is designed just for this, and to use on smaller tanks.

Just mix the carbon and GFO together, and do not tumble it.

The idea behind tumbling GFO is to prevent it from clumping together, and becoming ineffective. With the carbon mix in, the granules do not stick to each other(the carbon keeps them separate), and tumbling is not required.

Been using GFO this way for quite a few years now. Works quite well, and just and FYI, start with a small amount of GFO(never what is recommended) to see how much phosphates it will pull out of your system.

Most people get into trouble with GFO, because they use the 1/2C per gallon recommendation, and it strips phosphates way to quickly.

In my 80G system, I can use 3 tablespoons GFO to drop phosphates from .2 to .1 in a couple days.

 

[TL1]

I would not mix. The flow requirements for optimal GFO and Carbon use differ.

Carbon should not tumble, whereas, GFO should be more of a fluidized bed.

-TL