GFO Reactor

[avelino78]

I just set up my BRS reactor. How much pressure should be in it? How much should the GFO be moving around??

[jdezek]

You just want the top layer to tumble otherwise it will crumble and end up in your tank.

[avelino78]

Ok thanks that's how it's moving slow.

[avelino78]

Also how long do I run it for??

[hey.its.me]

Wouldn't you want to run it continuous just as you would a carbon media?

[avelino78]

I guess so how long does the GFO last?

[hey.its.me]

That would depend on your flow so what is your pumps rating and are you having to close off the ball valve to maintain a slight tumble on the surface? That would be the determining factor. A weekly observation using a wax crayon will show you the rate of consumption.

[avelino78]

It's going slow I will keep an eye on it.

[Hodge1995]

I guess so how long does the GFO last?

This would actually be determined by how much po4 you have in your tank. If you started gfo because you had high phosphate then it may only last a few days or a week. if not generally switch it out monthly.

[avelino78]

Thanks for all the help.

[Bpb]

It's best to test phosphate and shoot for 0.03-0.05 ppm. If its much over that, change the gfo, if its under, leave it alone and feed more. Problem is...most hobby grade phosphate checkers and testers have an error range that can put test reliability in question. You're shooting for such a narrow range. That being said...I don't even test phosphates and just change mine out monthly in amounts suggested by the brs calculator.