gac,gfo in reactor Q?

Jerzyray · Oct 9, 2017

i was wondering if it's ok to hold the media in place with a mesh screen in this reactor? I'v read that you don't want movement. any input from you all.... thanks

nautical_nathaniel · Oct 9, 2017

Get a piece of filter foam, similar to what you would get as an insert for a hang on back filter, and cut it into discs that fit the inside of your reactor. The mesh may break apart and get into your tank as it degrades over time but the foam should be pretty tough and provide other benefits.

Jerzyray · Oct 9, 2017

pensacola-aquarist said:
Get a piece of filter foam, similar to what you would get as an insert for a hang on back filter, and cut it into discs that fit the inside of your reactor. The mesh may break apart and get into your tank as it degrades over time but the foam should be pretty tough and provide other benefits.

OK. I Do have an extra pice of filter foam i can try. the mesh I'm using is the stuff from 2lf. to run the bio-pelleats, I want to make sure that NO tumbling of the GAC and GFO is OK to run..

nautical_nathaniel · Oct 10, 2017

Jerzyray said:
OK. I Do have an extra pice of filter foam i can try. the mesh I'm using is the stuff from 2lf. to run the bio-pelleats, I want to make sure that NO tumbling of the GAC and GFO is OK to run..

You want a little bit of tumbling on the GFO, otherwise it will turn into a solid brick, but not so much that it turns to dust. The GAC doesn't really need tumbling but you should shake it ever other day or so to keep detritus and dirt from caking in between the carbon granules which would lower it's effectiveness.