GFO tumble question

[BeanAnimal]

What does your GFO look like after sitting in a bag for awhile? GFO particles seem to be fragile when I have used it, easily turning to mud.

In principle tumbling, aka, fluidized bed, is the optimum, but like so many other things in this hobby, good enough gets the job done.

What do you see as needing a nice clean experiment? Flow through a column v a media bag sorta thing?

I never looked in the bag. I just threw them away ($1 pantyhose).

Yes, I think a series of tests adding a fixed amount of phosphate to the test systems, one with a fluidized column and one with the same chamber and not enough flow to fluidize. The media bag in direct flow would maybe be a third test. All three would use the same media by dry weight. Measure phosphate reduction over time for each system until reduction stops, or reverses. We get rate and total capacity.

 

[Dan_P]

If you wind up doing anything like this, I can send my data along. I've been using GFO in a bag for a while. Finally started tracking how much I put in, when I put in, how long it was in, etc. vs. the rise and fall of my phosphate...and found that in my case the bag of GFO was essentially doing nothing for me (swapping to a reactor now).

OK thanks. We can compare notes when I generate some data.

 

[Dan_P]

I never looked in the bag. I just threw them away ($1 pantyhose).

Yes I think a series of tests adding a fixed amount of phosphate to the test systems, one with a fluidized column and one with the same chamber and not enough flow to fluidize. The media bag in direct flow would maybe be a third test. All three would use the same media by dry weight. Measure phosphate reduction over time for each system until reduction stops, or reverses. We get rate and total capacity.

I prefer fishnets, but I see how impractical that choice is.

I will think about the experiment design and come back to this group with any questions.

 

[Reef Jedi]

that seems like a lot of GFO. How long do you let it run a day?

Also, as long as there are movements preventing them from clumping up, you are good.

That is a little less than one cup. Currently letting it run constantly. I’m monitoring with Hanna checkers. I do have a trident NP I could use but I don’t want to go through that hassle.

 

[Evil1]

I swear, the slightest touch and it’s either too much or seems too little. But in the video that’s too much?

In my opinion it’s perfect. As long as the gfo particles are not near the top and escaping you are good

 

[Reef Jedi]

In my opinion it’s perfect. As long as the gfo particles are not near the top and escaping you are good

That’s what I remember it being back in the day, I know things change over the years but I’m guessing GFO isn’t really one of them? But looking at new things online it seems like an even slower rate is better?

 

[Reef Jedi]

What does your GFO look like after sitting in a bag for awhile? GFO particles seem to be fragile when I have used it, easily turning to mud.

In principle tumbling, aka, fluidized bed, is the optimum, but like so many other things in this hobby, good enough gets the job done.

What do you see as needing a nice clean experiment? Flow through a column v a media bag sorta thing?

I’d be curious to see this as the general consensus is a reactor is more efficient than a media bag. But after reading some of these responses maybe that is not true if channeling is happening in a reactor?

 

[BryanM]

THat looks great to me.

 

[Reef Jedi]

THat looks great to me.

Are you referring to the first video with more flow in my original post or the one I posted after?

 

[BryanM]

Are you referring to the first video with more flow in my original post or the one I posted after?

Either works, somewhere inbetween would be ideal, but o don’t think the first was bad either

 

[Dan_P]

I’d be curious to see this as the general consensus is a reactor is more efficient than a media bag. But after reading some of these responses maybe that is not true if channeling is happening in a reactor?

Maybe reactors with less than X channeling are better, but what is limiting media bag performance? There are many questions to explore

 

[Reef Jedi]

Either works, somewhere inbetween would be ideal, but o don’t think the first was bad either

Thanks for the input! About 15 years ago I had a two little fishes phos reactor (what my LFS had back then). I swear it’s tumble was on the higher side. I’m guessing the ultimate thing here is it doesn’t tumble too much to allow it to grind down and not too low so it’s not efficient. I’m also guessing every time I change it I’ll have to re adjust?

 

[BryanM]

Thanks for the input! About 15 years ago I had a two little fishes phos reactor (what my LFS had back then). I swear it’s tumble was on the higher side. I’m guessing the ultimate thing here is it doesn’t tumble too much to allow it to grind down and not too low so it’s not efficient. I’m also guessing every time I change it I’ll have to re adjust?

I have A brs reactor, and almost everytime I change gfo I have to adjust as well.

 

[Jamie9]

This is where my AIO reactor is going to drive me crazy I suspect...I'm going to have to move it to the display (or a bucket) anytime I need to be able to see what it is doing. I guess unless it turns out to be super consistent, I'll have to run it in the display for a bit whenever I change out media.

 

[Dan_P]

@Dan_P this is a simple enough one for you to setup. Maybe not exciting, but rewarding?

Started the study of GFO with answering the simple question about capacity, “how many mg of phosphate are taken up by GFO”. I am using PhosBan. The kinetics are interesting and likely will be useful in explaining differences among flow regimes.

It seems different flow regimes only affect how quickly the GFO is used up. No matter the flow regime, to tumble or not, chemisorption slows as concentration declines.

I will have some numbers in a week or two.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

It seems different flow regimes only affect how quickly the GFO is used up.

Interesting. Looking forward to this!

 

[Reef Jedi]

Started the study of GFO with answering the simple question about capacity, “how many mg of phosphate are taken up by GFO”. I am using PhosBan. The kinetics are interesting and likely will be useful in explaining differences among flow regimes.

It seems different flow regimes only affect how quickly the GFO is used up. No matter the flow regime, to tumble or not, chemisorption slows as concentration declines.

I will have some numbers in a week or two.

This would be very interesting to see! Please follow up when you know more. I’d be very curious about your results.