GFO reactor with easiest maintenance?

[cdw79]

Watching enclosed video I have noticed that guy is using RowaPhos there, not GFO. RowaPhos doesn’t need to be tumbled so it doesn’t have to be used in real reactor. For GFO to be tumbled you need adjustable flow through the reactor and that particular model doesn’t seem to be able to do that.

I've been recommended Rowa Phos by a few ppl now, most recently my guy at the LFS. Any pros or cons of GFO or Rowa Phos?

If RowaPhos doesn't need to be tumbled could it just be put in a media bag? Is the only difference between a Rowa Phos "reactor" and that for GFO the adjustable flow option?

 

[w8lifts]

Strange a bag brought my po4 from .2 all the way to .07 in my 75 gallon. Guess I’m just lucky.

 

[billwill]

A media bag is the easiest, if that's truly what you want. And while many will argue they're useless, I use one for carbon and sometimes for GFO that literally hangs in the path of my skimmer outlet. It provides the same results as my Avast reactor does with significantly less effort on my part and no extra pumps. I pull it out and shake it around after a week or so. Reactors are cool to watch operate though, which I'll admit is part of the game in the hobby.

 

[blaxsun]

I've been recommended Rowa Phos by a few ppl now, most recently my guy at the LFS. Any pros or cons of GFO or Rowa Phos?

If RowaPhos doesn't need to be tumbled could it just be put in a media bag? Is the only difference between a Rowa Phos "reactor" and that for GFO the adjustable flow option?

Nyos Phosi-Ex is better.

 

[bushdoc]

I've been recommended Rowa Phos by a few ppl now, most recently my guy at the LFS. Any pros or cons of GFO or Rowa Phos?

If RowaPhos doesn't need to be tumbled could it just be put in a media bag? Is the only difference between a Rowa Phos "reactor" and that for GFO the adjustable flow option?

No personal experience with RowaPhos, but it can be put in media bag in high flow area, canister filter or it can be fluidized. If you decide to fluidize it, manufacturer recommends to rinse it, otherwise not.

 

[cdw79]

What are the pros and cons of Rowa phos vs just "normal" GFO?

 

[bushdoc]

What are the pros and cons of Rowa phos vs just "normal" GFO?

It seem that chemically they are both the same, but "regular" GFO can only be used in a media reactor, where it is fluidized. If flow is too low it will eventually solidify and either slow or stop water flow through it, diminishing or eliminating its effectiveness. I experienced it myself. RowaPhos has different consistency, particle size and is moist and you can use it in a filter bag without fluidizing, which is decreasing costs of equipment and making it less prone to "operator errors". When I was using GFO, I had on occasion problem with water leaking through reactor lid or hoses and if you have your reactor outside sump you can imagine what can happen. For smaller tank I would use RowaPhos in a media bag in a sump.

 

[BaliReefBox]

if you read the rowaphos instructions it says that if in a bag double the dosage as it is less effective. it will clump together as restrict water flow through it. it needs, for best results, to be tumbled or you are just throwing money away..
and btw rowaphos is just a brand name for a gfo.