Author Topic: Mixing phosban with carbon in same reactor (Read 4284 times)

chromiumlux · « **on:** August 17, 2009, 07:55:05 »

Has anyone ever mixed phosban and carbon together in the same reactor? If so, did it work ok?

slandis3 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2009, 08:11:48 »

the problem is they require different flow rates i believe.

Joel · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2009, 08:24:56 »

It is my opinion that although it most likely would not be harmful to the aquarium and it's inhabitants, it is vary likely to end up being a wasteful practice.

The life span of absorbents & adsorbents is not determined by time but rather by the amount of material they are being exposed to it.

For example if a person mixes GFO with Activated carbon in a reactor on an aquarium with high phosphate but a relatively low organic load, the GFO's use would be extinguished quickly while the activated carbon still had some use left in it. To continue phosphate removal, you would need to replace the GFO but you would be also throwing away good activated carbon.

Running them separately, you have a better control over replacing them when needed and decrease waste & cost of media usage.

Joel

chromiumlux · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2009, 08:30:37 »

Thank Joel. I appreciate the knowledge.

chromiumlux · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2009, 08:32:18 »

Thanks Slandis,
I didn't give much thought to the flow rates required. Appreciate the knowledge.

micki · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2009, 08:32:52 »

Quote from: slandis3 on August 17, 2009, 08:11:48

the problem is they require different flow rates i believe.

Ditto...

verper · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2009, 18:59:40 »

I run carbon and GFO in series in two media reactors at the same flow rate with no problems. The carbon could maybe be a little higher but I haven't had any problems.

From what I've read, its more what Joel is saying. In my tank, the GFO lasts 2+ months vs 1 month max for the carbon. If they were mixed together, I'd be wasting the expensive GFO to change the carbon out.

jd · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2009, 19:03:56 »

BRS has a nice video one running both GFO and Carbon in one reactor, but not mixed.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Carbon-and-Phosphate-Remover-GFO-Media-Bags-&-Reactors/c109_85/p678/BRS-Single--GFO-and-Carbon-Reactor/product_info.html

That guy has a frighteningly soothing voice...

chromiumlux · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2009, 19:06:57 »

Hey Verper, Thanks for the tip!! I never gave any thought to running my reactors in series--Duh! So do tell, does it matter which media you run water through first?

jd · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2009, 19:07:51 »

Quote from: chromiumlux on August 17, 2009, 19:06:57

Hey Verper, Thanks for the tip!! I never gave any thought to running my reactors in series--Duh! So do tell, does it matter which media you run water through first?

BRS guy mentioned its best to run GFO then Carbon, as the carbon will catch some of the fines released by the GFO.

chromiumlux · « **Reply #10 on:** August 17, 2009, 19:15:25 »

Thanks JD, I just got done watching the video. Do appreciate the info.

jd · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2009, 19:18:54 »

More than welcome.

verper · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2009, 19:25:08 »

Interesting. I run the carbon first so that the GFO catches any phosphate that the carbon leaches out. Newer/better carbon shouldn't leach out phosphates but some of the older stuff did. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

jd · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2009, 19:28:52 »

Quote from: verper on August 17, 2009, 19:25:08

Interesting. I run the carbon first so that the GFO catches any phosphate that the carbon leaches out. Newer/better carbon shouldn't leach out phosphates but some of the older stuff did. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

Simple fix, just run your carbon, then GFO then carbon again

chromiumlux · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2009, 19:29:39 »

OK then! Now we got some action. My next question is-- what kind of Carbon and GFO is everyone using? and dont hold back on experience y'all.

verper · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2009, 20:06:13 »

Bulk Reef Supply for both the carbon and GFO.

pontiac2002gtp · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2009, 20:13:00 »

bulk reef supply here too large lignite carbon and the gfo pellets. I wouldn't want to go with the small size the large is already small enough.

Grunk08 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2009, 21:51:56 »

BRS here. High capacity GFO and ROX 0.8 Carbon in a dual BRS reactor.

TechGuy · « **Reply #18 on:** August 17, 2009, 23:54:12 »

I have in the past. But I was using an Aluminum based media. I put the Phosphate media in the bottom, and carbon the top.

lazylivin · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2009, 01:25:49 »

Man they must sell a ton of that stuff!
bulk reef supply here too large lignite carbon and the gfo pellets

Quote from: Grunk08 on August 17, 2009, 21:51:56

BRS here. High capacity GFO and ROX 0.8 Carbon in a dual BRS reactor.

Hey Grunk how do you like the High capacity GFO and ROX 0.8 Carbon compared to the standard grade? Notice it lasting longer?

Grunk08 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 18, 2009, 15:29:22 »

Cant say because its all I have ever used. I am just taking their word that it last longer. I am a sucker for that.

chromiumlux · « **Reply #21 on:** August 18, 2009, 20:59:11 »

Looks like they are gettin ready to add another sucker to their customer list. Ha!

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Author Topic: Mixing phosban with carbon in same reactor (Read 4284 times)

slandis3