GFO or BioPellet Reactor

Bryon · Jun 24, 2014

I am currently running a BRS reactor with GFO and carbon on my 180. It's obviously too small for my tank, especially running both media together. I was wondering what would be better to fight high nitrates, GFO or biopellets? I'm looking to upgrade my equipment, but wasn't sure which one I should invest in. All input and opinions will be greatly appreciated.

ahmed.boomer · Jun 24, 2014

Carbon is good to dose. You may want to look into that. I dose 1.4 ml of Vineger daily to my 120gallon. Seems to do the trick. Still do 5 gallon weekly eater change.

Daniel@R2R · Jun 24, 2014

Gfo won't help you at all on nitrates (its purpose is removing phosphates). Out of the two options you posted, you'd be looking at bio pellets. I personally prefer carbon dosing to lower and maintain nitrates (dosing vodka or vinegar or some other carbon source). HTH

Bryon · Jun 25, 2014

mdbannister said:
Gfo won't help you at all on nitrates (its purpose is removing phosphates). Out of the two options you posted, you'd be looking at bio pellets. I personally prefer carbon dosing to lower and maintain nitrates (dosing vodka or vinegar or some other carbon source). HTH

Do you use anything for phosphates while carbon dosing? Also, do you dose and use GAC or just dose? I'll have to look into dosing.

Daniel@R2R · Jun 25, 2014

I run GFO in a reactor for phosphates. It won't hurt to dose and run GFO or GAC. GAC is generally for maintaining water clarity. I've got a second reactor and been planning to run GAC...just haven't gotten around to setting it up yet.

Bryon · Jun 26, 2014

Do you have a dosing guide you'd be willing to share or a reference to use?

Daniel@R2R · Jun 26, 2014

Here's a very helpful article that gives instructions for dosing:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/

redfishbluefish · Jun 26, 2014

Regardless of the bacterial food source (vodka, vinegar, sugar, biopellets, etc.), you will want to take GFO offline until you can determine if you'll need it. For any of these methods for reducing both nitrates and phosphates, both are needed in an approximate ratio of 16 to 1, respectively. If one or the other is not there (specifically GFO stripping out the phosphates), the whole thing won't work.

So again, start whatever you wish to use in the way of food for the bacteria (without GFO), and test to see if you'll eventually need to add GFO back. Oh, and for this to work you will also need a skimmer to "export" the blumming bacteria.

Bryon · Jun 28, 2014

I'm going to go with vodka or vinegar dosing. Is one better then the other? What's the pros vs cons between the two?

EW_Fish · Jun 28, 2014

I am not a reef central fan nor have a account but I found that SunnyX thread was very helpful. If I am breaking the rules by posting thelink sorry.
I choose to run vodka and MB7 I just started so I don't have much info for you but this thread I posted is pretty good.

MB7/Vodka dosing guide - Reef Central Online Community