Tips on keeping GFO in reactor.

[dwest]

I used a GFO reactor for a couple years. I didn’t like it as it was one of the most time intensive items on my tank. Now I use GFO in a bag in a high flow area of my sump (skimmer outlet) replaced every 2 weeks. It’s it the most “efficient” way but it is simple and works for me.

I rinse the bag of GFO quite heavily under tap water before adding it.

 

[TWYOUNG]

I use old chemipure bags. I can put po4 media in one bag and carbon in another. Easy to rinse and both can go in the reactor together. I have done this for years when both are needed.
Simple and works well.

Can't argue with what works but the GFO is certainly not tumbling so perhaps that's not necessary. I've found the pores on mesh bags tend to clog up and water bypasses the media inside. I thought that was kinda the point of using a reactor, to avoid using bags. Otherwise I could just throw a bag into a high flow area of my sump.

 

[kilnakorr]

What brand and what size does it appear to be?

Don't know the brand.
I get it from a guy who works at a 'marine aquarium center'. They buy this in big 1000 tonnes bags.
I think the jug I bought is 3 lbs or close.
Maybe the picture helps for scale (mm/cm) as that is what we use here :)
Looks like 2-3 mm.

 

[X-37B]

Can't argue with what works but the GFO is certainly not tumbling so perhaps that's not necessary. I've found the pores on mesh bags tend to clog up and water bypasses the media inside. I thought that was kinda the point of using a reactor, to avoid using bags. Otherwise I could just throw a bag into a high flow area of my sump.

On smaller systems I just put the bag in the sump. Never had an issue. As long as water goes through the po4 media.
It does not tumble in a bag in the sump from my experience.
I have used gfo and it works well in the bags without tumbling.
I stopped using it and prefer Phosgaurd over gfo. I dont like the mess that gfo makes.
Either way they both do the job

 

[Ironwill723]

Yes the GFO from BRS these days is like dust. Definitely used to be larger granules. I'm currently looking for a new source as well.

 

[TWYOUNG]

Yes the GFO from BRS these days is like dust. Definitely used to be larger granules. I'm currently looking for a new source as well.

It's definitely difficult to thoroughly rinse.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Don't know the brand.
I get it from a guy who works at a 'marine aquarium center'. They buy this in big 1000 tonnes bags.
I think the jug I bought is 3 lbs or close.
Maybe the picture helps for scale (mm/cm) as that is what we use here :)
Looks like 2-3 mm.

Ok, thanks.