First Time Running a Media Reactor

[LiquidSpace]

So…I’m running GFO. This thing came with sponges which I know people use for carbon, but for the life of me I can’t find instructions on this reactor or photos with sponges.

Do I even use these? Do I put one on the top, the bottom? Both?

Bonus points if anyone can tell me what the black pieces are under the sponge.

 

[X-37B]

When I used gfo, I use phosgaurd now, I cut a 200 micron felt sock in a circle. It helps keep the gfo in place. Many of those types of sponge let gfo get through from my experience.

 

[LiquidSpace]

When I used gfo, I use phosgaurd now, I cut a 200 micron felt sock in a circle. It helps keep the gfo in place. Many of those types of sponge let gfo get through from my experience.

Cool! I messed up the first time when flushing and went too fast. Do you know if the GFO that got under the plate is going to mess this all up?

 

[X-37B]

Hard to tell from the pic but if it's on the bottom then no.
Have you ran gfo before?
What is po4 now?
How big is the reactor?
A little gfo goes a long way.

 

[LiquidSpace]

Hard to tell from the pic but if it's on the bottom then no.
Have you ran gfo before?
What is po4 now?
How big is the reactor?
A little gfo goes a long way.

Yep, that was my thought after filling it. Way too much! The aquarium is a 200 gallon and BRS recommended a little over 3 cups so I did 2. I feel like that’s still too much.

Nope, this is the first time. I have never had phosphate issues before. Phosphates are at 0.45 and I’m just testing for now to see what it will take to bring it down a bit. So maybe I dump this and add a lot less.

It’s this 3L reactor.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fr-1e-fluidized-media-reactor-aquaready.html

 

[X-37B]

Yep, that was my thought after filling it. Way too much! The aquarium is a 200 gallon and BRS recommended a little over 3 cups so I did 2. I feel like that’s still too much.

Nope, this is the first time. I have never had phosphate issues before. Phosphates are at 0.45 and I’m just testing for now to see what it will take to bring it down a bit. So maybe I dump this and add a lot less.

It’s this 3L reactor.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fr-1e-fluidized-media-reactor-aquaready.html

My 150 after 150lbs live rock was at 40+ po4. I used phosgaurd, not a fan of gfo because it's messy, imo.
Anyway it recommendations 1/3 cup per 50 g's so 1 cup. Ran in a small reactor. Took a couple weeks to get it to .1. Now only when needed I put 2/3 cup in a nylon bag and into my sock area.
So when po4 gets to .15 this is my way to get it down to .05 then I remove it.
Simple and no mess. I feed heavy at 7 cubes a day with dried phyto added.
You may want to consider putting some phosgaurd in a nylon bag like this. Been doing it thus was for the last 8. I only do 10% wc every 2-3 months.
I only run 300 micron mesh socks.