Does GFO have to slowly tumble?

[AetherealKnight]

I recently installed a BRS GFO reactor in my sump since my phosphates were beginning to rise, but I can't seem to get my GFO to tumble. I understand that it needs to slowly stumble so it can avoid clumping together. But it should still work even if it is clumped together to remove phosphate albeit with much lower efficiency, right? Or should I pack GFO with phosgaurd and carbon if I can't get it to tumble?

 

[KrisReef]

I don’t think it needs to tumble to work.

I would not use it with phosgard, I would monitor P and replace the gfo with new if the p starts to rise.

After I got frustrated with the unpredictability of gfo and phosgard I started using Lanthanum chloride because it was easier to control.

A fluidized bed reactor is supposed to be a good tool but I never could get gfo to tumble in one?

 

[Formulator]

If it doesn’t tumble you are just throwing away money and will be changing media often. It sound like you need a better pump or have it packed too full in the reactor. Could you share a photo of the reactor and water coming out?

 

[Don’t fear the reefer]

If it doesn’t tumble you are just throwing away money and will be changing media often. It sound like you need a better pump or have it packed too full in the reactor. Could you share a photo of the reactor and water coming out?

Right - the PO4 can only bind to the surface of the GFO granule. So if the GFO is not turning over, then the exposed, outer surfaces will get saturated quickly and most of the rest will be wasted because it doesn’t ever make contact with the PO4.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I mixed GFO with ROX 0.8 GAC to allow more flow through it without clumping or tumbling.