My GFO disaster

[BluesClues]

So essentially, I am using the utility pump just to drain my sump, completely dry and cleaning out as much as I can at the time?

Or you can use a shop vac with a small end to suck up the fines and water. Milwaukee makes a vacuum attachment for 1/8-5/8 tubing

 

[larrysaltisfun]

I just stick a bit of polyfill on the exit side of the reactor to catch any fines from either carbon or GFO. Seems to work well in preventing this.

I’ve got an aquamax react which essentially shoots water up through the media and out the sides of the top of the reactor so that wouldn’t work in my case

 

[areefer01]

I find all GFO to be messy and a pita to use. I rinse as much as i can then fill a container with rodi let the reactor run in the container recycling the water but not pulling from the bottom so elevating it an inch or so with egg crate works.

I can't imagine why a hobbyist would not rinse GFO.

Rinsing with RODI is what I would do if using GFO. Load up the canister with GFO or GFO/Carbon mix to desired amount, grab a bucket of RODI, place it in, and run a couple of gallons through it. The hobbyist will see the GFO aftermath if only using GFO. Carbon, GFO combo is worse.

If the product isn't rinsed then it ends up in the sump. No filter media or control in the sump means it can make its way into the display. In both cases would not be a desired outcome. I would wager if clams are being kept the would not appreciate it.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

if you go with the utility pump, you will need to buy a piece of plastic tubing to pump the water into a bucket or whatever you are pumping it into. any hardware store usually has it

 

[areefer01]

if you go with the utility pump, you will need to buy a piece of plastic tubing to pump the water into a bucket or whatever you are pumping it into. any hardware store usually has it

Also maybe prepare some RODI water to rinse. Spray bottle and some paper towels. The shop vac or pump is not going to get everything.

 

[BryanM]

I can't imagine why a hobbyist would not rinse GFO.

Rinsing with RODI is what I would do if using GFO. Load up the canister with GFO or GFO/Carbon mix to desired amount, grab a bucket of RODI, place it in, and run a couple of gallons through it. The hobbyist will see the GFO aftermath if only using GFO. Carbon, GFO combo is worse.

If the product isn't rinsed then it ends up in the sump. No filter media or control in the sump means it can make its way into the display. In both cases would not be a desired outcome. I would wager if clams are being kept the would not appreciate it.

I rinse by turning the reactor pump on with the output hose going in to a bucket until it runs clear. Same for carbon.

 

[areefer01]

I rinse by turning the reactor pump on with the output hose going in to a bucket until it runs clear. Same for carbon.

Yep - that is a great option.

 

[fishface NJ]

Thanks, and all I need is the utility pump by itself and that’s it no other attachments?

3/4" discharge fits standard garden hose or Python Water Change System threads

 

[KrisReef]

For the time being is this harmful to the fish/corals if it gets into the main display tank?

Only if it causes P to go to zero, and then the coral will be under stress. I also think that it may cause issues with impellers over time if it migrates after disturbance?

 

[LeftyReefer]

i just put a fine mesh media bag over the output of my media reactor to catch any fines that may escape.
When I swap out the GFO media, I also remove the bag and empty/clean it.

I also rinse my GFO media, but with the filter bag in place, no fines get into my system.

 

[The Dude Abides]

• IMAGES

CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17678 1.75 Peak HP Wet Dry Vac Powerhead, Portable Shop Vacuum Compatible with a 5 Gallon Bucket (Sold Separately) with Filter Bag and Hose...


I use this to clean my sump. $35.00 at Home Depot, plus a 5 gallon bucket if you don’t have. I have never seen a reefer with out a 5 gallon bucket!

 

[Timfish]

For the time being is this harmful to the fish/corals if it gets into the main display tank?

No, it's not ideal but if you run a magnet around in your sand you'll pick up pieces of iron. I would only get as much out of your sump as I could with a siphon in a few minutes. As mentioned above a small sump pump will work also but I would not worry about completely cleaning out the sump.

FWIW, at .2 mg/l I wouldn't worry about running GFO. Here's more info you may find informative:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/light-adjusting-problem.1016614/post-11889871

 

[larrysaltisfun]

Thank you Tim!!

 

[martin.a]

.20

But why did you reacted so strongly having phosphates on 0.2 ppm? I would consider 0.2 ppm to be on high-ish, but otherwise fully acceptable level.

 

[56longroof]

I rinse by turning the reactor pump on with the output hose going in to a bucket until it runs clear. Same for carbon.

Thats how I do it also.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

.20

But why did you reacted so strongly having phosphates on 0.2 ppm? I would consider 0.2 ppm to be on high-ish, but otherwise fully acceptable level.

Maybe I’m relying too much on my local fish store guy who is a big believer in phosphates being .03 I’ve been fighting to get them down from .7 for a while. I’m fairly new with corals and you know you’re kind of right because as soon as I started Chasing phosphates, I lost an alveopora three small Zoa frags and a goniopora I’m starting to wonder if I’m doing more harm than good. It’s very frustrating. I was using phos guard in a reactor. And changing it every four days per sea chem instructions and plateaued at .2. so I added GFO.

 

[Reeferbadness]

I always rinse rowaphos. It's much cleaner than regular GFO but i still get a lot of fines that I wouldn't want in the tank.
I find all GFO to be messy and a pita to use. I rinse as much as i can then fill a container with rodi let the reactor run in the container recycling the water but not pulling from the bottom so elevating it an inch or so with egg crate works. The fines settle to the bottom of the container and the water eventually runs clear. I get no fines in the sump doing this.

I agree. I rinse the **** out of my RowaPhos and place the media bag in my filter sock and still some comes out in that. Not sure where he read that RowaPhos doesn't want you to rinse it - that would make the tank ***** dirty if you didn't :)

 

[Tripod1404]

Use a strong magnet inside a zip bag.

 

[BryanM]

I agree. I rinse the **** out of my RowaPhos and place the media bag in my filter sock and still some comes out in that. Not sure where he read that RowaPhos doesn't want you to rinse it - that would make the tank ***** dirty if you didn't :)

From BRS website:

RowaPhos Recommendation for Use

• Never wash the product unless fluidizing.
• It must be kept damp at all times, it is not as effective if it dries out therefore, replace the lid if not using all of the container.
• Place the product between two layers of filter wool in a canister filter.
• Do not sprinkle into the your reef tank.
• Do not place it into water without surrounding it with filter wool
• RowaPhos recommends that you use a small quantity and replace regularly rather than a large amount and replace infrequently.

Maybe I read this incorrectly, but I interpreted this as: If in a media bag, don't rinse, if in a reactor, rinse.

 

[Reeferbadness]

From BRS website:

RowaPhos Recommendation for Use

• Never wash the product unless fluidizing.
• It must be kept damp at all times, it is not as effective if it dries out therefore, replace the lid if not using all of the container.
• Place the product between two layers of filter wool in a canister filter.
• Do not sprinkle into the your reef tank.
• Do not place it into water without surrounding it with filter wool
• RowaPhos recommends that you use a small quantity and replace regularly rather than a large amount and replace infrequently.

Maybe I read this incorrectly, but I interpreted this as: If in a media bag, don't rinse, if in a reactor, rinse.

interesting. personally, i have good results with using RowaPhos after rinsing and avoid getting my tank a coffee color if i didn't rinse it.