GFO (PhosBan) - Just How Good Is It? - Page 11

jdieck · 09/15/2007, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sabbath
And won't using a GFO pull out the Phos. faster than the algae as well.

Difficult to know but in those cases of accumulated phosphate in rock and sand it just might take longer to see results but it gets there.

madadi · 09/15/2007, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sabbath
That is weird because the stuff I received ( DFS brand )came dry.

did you get the phospure or the one with carbon in it as well?

it wasn't wet but it was moist. lol

sabbath · 09/15/2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by madadi
did you get the phospure or the one with carbon in it as well?

it wasn't wet but it was moist. lol

I using this one. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...3&pcatid=13963

K' Family Reef · 09/15/2007, 09:11 AM

i finally got my phosphate reactor (phosban150)
and anxious to get it going as my phosphates yesterday measured in at .052... hooked it up and running yesterday but havent put in any media yet

might recom for those just getting started w/ phosp remover
a water change before hooking up the the media... it might make it last longer...

in my rush yesterday to get it hooked up
i realized this at the last minute. so just decided to wait and do it right... also adding carbon at same time (not in same reactor) so prob better for longevity of both

question for those already running reactors
i hooked up a rio50 onto the reactor which is placed in the final sector of the sump (after the skimmer and fuge) w/ the return line running back across to the initial stage of the sump...

but the flow seems very (((low))) coming out of the reactor

i havent added the media yet to see how it 'tumbles' but it just doesnt seem like this little flow would make much of a difference in removing the po4... espec on a 210 gal system

any comments ?

thanks and regards

JetCat USA · 09/15/2007, 09:43 AM

IMO the water change (unless you normally don't do them) isn't going to make any significant difference in longevity nor is the carbon. it's hard to determine what your definition of 'very (((low)))' is, my reactors have about the flow you'd get if siphoning (not under pressure) with a 1/4" RO/DI line.

K' Family Reef · 09/15/2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JetCat USA
IMO the water change (unless you normally don't do them) isn't going to make any significant difference in longevity nor is the carbon. it's hard to determine what your definition of 'very (((low)))' is, my reactors have about the flow you'd get if siphoning (not under pressure) with a 1/4" RO/DI line.

thanks for the reply!

since dealing w/ this whole po4 issue in my system
which has been about 3 -4 mos... the po4 has always been lower perhaps as much as 1/2 or close to it after a hoh change (been hovering around .05)... just seems logical to do a hoh change before adding the media was just my opinion for what it was worth

i wanted to see if i could get the po4 down (and better hoh quality) by increasing flow, skimming, adding 50gal refuge/macro and basic husbandry - vacing sump/dsb etc etc - none of which made a dent whatsoever (in the readings atleast) and i really wanted to avoid a dedicated media/reactor/additional pump/filter sock and an additional EXPENSE if it was possible...

although it didnt affect the readings whatsoever
it was worth the effort as my tank is all the better for it and showing it!

the flow is perhaps about the same as you described
if not a little bit less, so the point is that it doesnt require much flow thru the reactor... i still might try a rio600 and adjust the flow accordingly that way instead

regards

JetCat USA · 09/15/2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WarrenAmy&Maddy
...... the po4 has always been lower perhaps as much as 1/2 or close to it after a hoh change

the only way it'll reduce by half with a water change is IF the water had zero PO4 and you did a 50% by volume water change and I'm just guessing you're not changing 100+ gallon here.

K' Family Reef · 09/15/2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JetCat USA
the only way it'll reduce by half with a water change is IF the water had zero PO4 and you did a 50% by volume water change and I'm just guessing you're not changing 100+ gallon here.

OK!!!
maybe its .25 lower... or .33 or .356
regards

pledosophy · 09/26/2007, 01:50 PM

Great thread.

Ya I read all of it.

sabbath · 09/26/2007, 01:58 PM

How do you guys rinse the GFO? When using a Phosban reactor.

JetCat USA · 09/26/2007, 02:25 PM

I've got a vinyl hose about 12" long that i stick between my RO spout at the sink and the reactor and flush it till it's clear.

RokleM · 09/26/2007, 03:24 PM

Just pile it in and let the first 2-3 gallons flow through into a bucket. You can crank up the flow or shake it a bit to release loose particles.

That's what I do with my custom reactor and ROWA.

st9z · 09/27/2007, 08:03 AM

quick questions:

1. Would i be as successful to run Kent Phosphate Sponge in a filter bag inside my canister?

Also should i run Black Diamond carbon while running the phsophate remover?

JetCat USA · 09/27/2007, 08:22 AM

yes the Kent PO4 Sponge will work inside a canister filter, and the carbon isn't necessary just because you're running the PO4 remover.

st9z · 09/27/2007, 08:47 AM

*crosses finger* hopefully this will work, if not, phosban reactor here i come!

LobsterOfJustice · 09/27/2007, 10:31 AM

So is the general consensus that the no-name brands (like Drs. brand and Two Part brand) are just as good (i.e. the same thing) as phosban? Does anyone have the experience to back this up?

JetCat USA · 09/27/2007, 11:25 AM

last week i got a 5g bucket of the bulk from 2part solution, it's the same as PhosBan.

jman77 · 09/27/2007, 11:44 AM

LobsterOfJustice,

It's the same stuff... there are only like 2 companies that actually make the GFO. These other companies buy the GFO from them and relabel it.

I just purchased a 1 gal bucket of the GFO pellets from 2part.... and some viaaqua poly reactors from marine depot. ...

Guys, can you run GFO and Carbon in the same reactor ?

LobsterOfJustice · 09/27/2007, 11:46 AM

I prefer running them in different reactors for two reasons. They require different flow rates to properly fluidize, and they have different "lifespans".

pledosophy · 09/27/2007, 12:55 PM

Has anyone tried reactivating the GFO in the oven and tested that?

JetCat USA · 09/27/2007, 12:59 PM

GFO can't be 'reactivated'

jmait769 · 09/27/2007, 01:40 PM

JetCat USA â€“ Great thread! Have you ever had or heard of the PhosBan become hard as a rock? Twice now I have had the media stop percolating after about a month and Iâ€™ve had to use a bit of muriatic acid to dissolve it and get it out of the reactor. Iâ€™m thinking it is calcium but not sure. My water tests are excellent with ALK at 8 dKH and calcium at 410 ppm. Iâ€™m using a kalk reactor with an Osmolater for ATO, use a separate reactor for carbon and dose 3 ml of Randyâ€™s part two a day for ALK and I rarely have to dose any calcium. I put the whole 150 gâ€™s in the reactor from Two Little Fishies. Maybe not enough flow? I try and make sure it percolates and doesnâ€™t grind per the instructions. Thanks for the help!

Jay

JetCat USA · 09/27/2007, 02:29 PM

it's the carbonates that are bonding to the media that cause it to clump, it's usually an indication of elevated Alk or to low a flow in the media. if you get it consistently clumping you might want to increase the flow some or try the pelletized version GFO.

the only time i had it happen was when my Kalk reactor was dumping into the same compartment as the feed pump to the PO4 reactor.

jmait769 · 09/27/2007, 03:09 PM

Iâ€™m going to go back and retest ALK. I use Salifert test kits and I just received a new one so will see if they vary. My reactor is feed by my return pump one compartment over. Thanks for the help!

Jay

JetCat USA · 09/27/2007, 03:19 PM

I'd defiantly recommend comparing that new Salifert kit with a known reference, I've had a couple the past few weeks that were off, one by 33% to the high side.

09/26/2007, 01:50 PM	#259
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	Great thread. Ya I read all of it. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

09/26/2007, 03:24 PM	#262
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Just pile it in and let the first 2-3 gallons flow through into a bucket. You can crank up the flow or shake it a bit to release loose particles. That's what I do with my custom reactor and ROWA. __________________ -Eric-

09/27/2007, 10:31 AM	#266
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	So is the general consensus that the no-name brands (like Drs. brand and Two Part brand) are just as good (i.e. the same thing) as phosban? Does anyone have the experience to back this up? __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

09/27/2007, 11:46 AM	#269
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	I prefer running them in different reactors for two reasons. They require different flow rates to properly fluidize, and they have different "lifespans". __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

09/27/2007, 12:55 PM	#270
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	Has anyone tried reactivating the GFO in the oven and tested that? __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

09/15/2007, 09:11 AM	#254
K' Family Reef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,966	i finally got my phosphate reactor (phosban150) and anxious to get it going as my phosphates yesterday measured in at .052... hooked it up and running yesterday but havent put in any media yet might recom for those just getting started w/ phosp remover a water change before hooking up the the media... it might make it last longer... in my rush yesterday to get it hooked up i realized this at the last minute. so just decided to wait and do it right... also adding carbon at same time (not in same reactor) so prob better for longevity of both question for those already running reactors i hooked up a rio50 onto the reactor which is placed in the final sector of the sump (after the skimmer and fuge) w/ the return line running back across to the initial stage of the sump... but the flow seems very (((low))) coming out of the reactor i havent added the media yet to see how it 'tumbles' but it just doesnt seem like this little flow would make much of a difference in removing the po4... espec on a 210 gal system any comments ? thanks and regards

09/15/2007, 09:43 AM	#255
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	IMO the water change (unless you normally don't do them) isn't going to make any significant difference in longevity nor is the carbon. it's hard to determine what your definition of 'very (((low)))' is, my reactors have about the flow you'd get if siphoning (not under pressure) with a 1/4" RO/DI line.

09/26/2007, 01:58 PM	#260
sabbath Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Twin City's Mn. Posts: 1,771	How do you guys rinse the GFO? When using a Phosban reactor.

09/26/2007, 02:25 PM	#261
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	I've got a vinyl hose about 12" long that i stick between my RO spout at the sink and the reactor and flush it till it's clear.

09/27/2007, 08:03 AM	#263
st9z Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: 20148 Posts: 105	quick questions: 1. Would i be as successful to run Kent Phosphate Sponge in a filter bag inside my canister? Also should i run Black Diamond carbon while running the phsophate remover?

09/27/2007, 08:22 AM	#264
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	yes the Kent PO4 Sponge will work inside a canister filter, and the carbon isn't necessary just because you're running the PO4 remover.

09/27/2007, 08:47 AM	#265
st9z Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: 20148 Posts: 105	crosses finger hopefully this will work, if not, phosban reactor here i come!

09/27/2007, 11:25 AM	#267
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	last week i got a 5g bucket of the bulk from 2part solution, it's the same as PhosBan.

09/27/2007, 11:44 AM	#268
jman77 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 2,391	LobsterOfJustice, It's the same stuff... there are only like 2 companies that actually make the GFO. These other companies buy the GFO from them and relabel it. I just purchased a 1 gal bucket of the GFO pellets from 2part.... and some viaaqua poly reactors from marine depot. ... Guys, can you run GFO and Carbon in the same reactor ?

09/27/2007, 12:59 PM	#271
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	GFO can't be 'reactivated'

09/27/2007, 01:40 PM	#272
jmait769 -CSHFLW Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 2,685	JetCat USA â€“ Great thread! Have you ever had or heard of the PhosBan become hard as a rock? Twice now I have had the media stop percolating after about a month and Iâ€™ve had to use a bit of muriatic acid to dissolve it and get it out of the reactor. Iâ€™m thinking it is calcium but not sure. My water tests are excellent with ALK at 8 dKH and calcium at 410 ppm. Iâ€™m using a kalk reactor with an Osmolater for ATO, use a separate reactor for carbon and dose 3 ml of Randyâ€™s part two a day for ALK and I rarely have to dose any calcium. I put the whole 150 gâ€™s in the reactor from Two Little Fishies. Maybe not enough flow? I try and make sure it percolates and doesnâ€™t grind per the instructions. Thanks for the help! Jay __________________ "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work" - Thomas Alva Edison http://www.reeftronics.net/jay-m/reefcam Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon, Marco Rocks, 8x80W ATI Powermodule, Apex, Super Reef Octopus XP-3000 external

09/27/2007, 02:29 PM	#273
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	it's the carbonates that are bonding to the media that cause it to clump, it's usually an indication of elevated Alk or to low a flow in the media. if you get it consistently clumping you might want to increase the flow some or try the pelletized version GFO. the only time i had it happen was when my Kalk reactor was dumping into the same compartment as the feed pump to the PO4 reactor.

09/27/2007, 03:09 PM	#274
jmait769 -CSHFLW Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 2,685	Iâ€™m going to go back and retest ALK. I use Salifert test kits and I just received a new one so will see if they vary. My reactor is feed by my return pump one compartment over. Thanks for the help! Jay __________________ "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work" - Thomas Alva Edison http://www.reeftronics.net/jay-m/reefcam Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon, Marco Rocks, 8x80W ATI Powermodule, Apex, Super Reef Octopus XP-3000 external

09/27/2007, 03:19 PM	#275
JetCat USA Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,847	I'd defiantly recommend comparing that new Salifert kit with a known reference, I've had a couple the past few weeks that were off, one by 33% to the high side.