Carbon & GFO combined or alternative

ddwbeagles · 03/28/2010, 09:10 PM

Quick question for you guys. I know many of you run carbon on your reef tanks. I just bought the duel media reactor from BRS with the intent of running carbon in one canister and GFO in the other. Hindsight being 20/20, I realized that for my small system (about 85 gallons total), I'm only going to need to run about 1.5 cups of carbon in the reactor. That leaves a ton of empty space.
So, I'm wondering (a) would there be any reason why I couldn't run carbon and GFO in the same canister and only use one of them -or- (b) would you recommend something else to be added to the carbon canister since there is plenty of space available.....that would be beneficial to my tank?

Final question. The useful lifespan of carbon is fairly short, is there an longer lasting alternative out there? I am running a skimmer so organic removal really isn't the primary function, but metals, "coral chemical warfare" excretions, etc.. are.

Thanks in advance for the advice & responses.

billdogg · 03/29/2010, 05:56 AM

I use seperate reactors on both my tanks, because it is much easier to regulate flow and because the two media need to be changed at different times.

bertoni · 03/29/2010, 08:39 AM

I combined GFO and carbon in the same reactor for years. It worked well for me.

CBehr · 03/29/2010, 11:43 AM

I have a dual stage reactor from BRS, works great as you can change media at different times. Before that I used both in the same reactor for years.

03/28/2010, 09:10 PM	#1
ddwbeagles Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Winchester, VA Posts: 119	Carbon & GFO combined or alternative Quick question for you guys. I know many of you run carbon on your reef tanks. I just bought the duel media reactor from BRS with the intent of running carbon in one canister and GFO in the other. Hindsight being 20/20, I realized that for my small system (about 85 gallons total), I'm only going to need to run about 1.5 cups of carbon in the reactor. That leaves a ton of empty space. So, I'm wondering (a) would there be any reason why I couldn't run carbon and GFO in the same canister and only use one of them -or- (b) would you recommend something else to be added to the carbon canister since there is plenty of space available.....that would be beneficial to my tank? Final question. The useful lifespan of carbon is fairly short, is there an longer lasting alternative out there? I am running a skimmer so organic removal really isn't the primary function, but metals, "coral chemical warfare" excretions, etc.. are. Thanks in advance for the advice & responses.

03/29/2010, 05:56 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I use seperate reactors on both my tanks, because it is much easier to regulate flow and because the two media need to be changed at different times. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/29/2010, 08:39 AM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I combined GFO and carbon in the same reactor for years. It worked well for me. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/29/2010, 11:43 AM	#4
CBehr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ephrata, PA Posts: 588	I have a dual stage reactor from BRS, works great as you can change media at different times. Before that I used both in the same reactor for years. __________________ 1st time w/o a tank in 10+ years. Planning 65g..mainly fish, maybe a few LPS/Softies