Most cost efficient GFO/CARBON for a reactor

[egriesner]

Hi Guys,

Whats the most cost effecient GFO/Carbon that I can use in a reactor? Thanks.

 

[lnevo]

Sure there will be lots of opinions. I believe the BRS rox 0.8 is the best. Theres a video on that site that shows the differences between the different carbons.

 

[oh207]

This is a very subjective question and I will give you my $0.02 from using the standard and high capacity BRS GFO.
Before I do, I should state that you first need to determine what your needs are. For instance, do you have stable and acceptable parameters (phosphates) and run GFO as a maintenance routine. Or do you have high parameters and looking to run Carbon/GFO to bring down those parameters and keep them in check. And if by cost efficient you mean the more bang for the buck as opposed to the cheapest, then I will have to recommend the BRS High Capacity GFO. Its almost twice the price but worth it. It doesn't run-out or looses its effectiveness as quickly as the standard GFO and you don't have to change it as frequently. And if you have high parameters then this is definitely the way to go.
When it comes to Carbon, I don't really have a preference. And my opinion is that Carbon is carbon. You just have to decide what size granules are best for your reactor/pump/flow. And size also matters if you're planning to mix the GFO & Carbon and run in the same reactor.

 

[egriesner]

Thanks so I guess the high grade gfo is the way to go. How often would you change the regular vs the high grade? Also have you ever you seachem matrix carbon or seagel? I tend to really like seachem products. I also like the fact that the carbon is in bead form.

 

[vio]

Esv.

 

[oh207]

Thanks so I guess the high grade gfo is the way to go. How often would you change the regular vs the high grade? Also have you ever you seachem matrix carbon or seagel? I tend to really like seachem products. I also like the fact that the carbon is in bead form.

I had used the standard version for 2 months and it didn't make much of a dent in my phosphates. I was replacing media every 2 weeks during water changes. Phosphates were at 18ppm. I got the High Capacity GFO and within a few days I saw a sharp drop and by the end of 2nd week it was at 5ppm. For the first 2 months I changed it every 2 weeks and and now my phosphates are almost zero with the Hanna checker. I don't even check anymore.

I haven't used seachem or any other brand, so I can't comment. I did briefly used those filter pads with carbon and phosphate removal agents in the pad. But that was before I got a reactor.

P.S. My reactor is temporarily offline due to recent sump change. But planning to put it back online soon.

 

[lnevo]

I use the standard gfo. I have 18tbsp on my 65g and phosphates are at .02ppm. i change usually every 6 weeks.