what should i put in my phosban reactor? - Page 2

WaterKeeper · 06/21/2011, 05:01 PM

The problem with mixing the two is that the carbon has a shorter life span than the GFO. The carbon gets a bacteria film in fairly short order and that film then forms on the GFO. That decreases the GFO's life span. I always had a speparate carbon chamber downstream of the GFO. It was noting fancy and I used a bypass valve to control flow rates to the two reactors.

jamest0o0 · 06/21/2011, 07:26 PM

I understand why mixing them causes problems now thanks to everyone here

, but I'd think with only an 8g tank having a layer of high capacity GFO and then a sponge followed by a layer of lignite carbon in my reactor should work well right? How do I know when to change the carbon or GFO though?

Coppertop412 · 08/10/2011, 09:05 PM

I'm new to reactors, but it is my understanding that you want the phosban to tumble in the flow. If you have it 'layered' and separated by a sponge it won't be able to tumble. I also read that if not allowed to tumble it will bind together fairly quickly, creating a brick, and be useless. I just ordered a reactor and Phosban, and I am trying to find the best, most efficient way to use it to reduce my phophates.
Thanks in advance for all input!

06/21/2011, 05:01 PM	#26
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	The problem with mixing the two is that the carbon has a shorter life span than the GFO. The carbon gets a bacteria film in fairly short order and that film then forms on the GFO. That decreases the GFO's life span. I always had a speparate carbon chamber downstream of the GFO. It was noting fancy and I used a bypass valve to control flow rates to the two reactors. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

06/21/2011, 07:26 PM	#27
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	I understand why mixing them causes problems now thanks to everyone here , but I'd think with only an 8g tank having a layer of high capacity GFO and then a sponge followed by a layer of lignite carbon in my reactor should work well right? How do I know when to change the carbon or GFO though? __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

08/10/2011, 09:05 PM	#28
Coppertop412 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Medford, OR Posts: 145	Warning! Thread hi-jack in progress! I'm new to reactors, but it is my understanding that you want the phosban to tumble in the flow. If you have it 'layered' and separated by a sponge it won't be able to tumble. I also read that if not allowed to tumble it will bind together fairly quickly, creating a brick, and be useless. I just ordered a reactor and Phosban, and I am trying to find the best, most efficient way to use it to reduce my phophates. Thanks in advance for all input! __________________ Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef build, 55 gallon sump, BeanAnimal/Coast-to-Coast overflow, C-Skim 1800 skimmer, DIY LED lights

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