GFO + Carbon

In an attempt to keep my water quality as nice as possible, I'm considering running GFO and carbon reactors. However, I'm curious if the GFO reactor will starve the current refugium of nutrients it would otherwise be getting without it. Is there any benefit of running both a fuge and GFO reactor simultaneously? I've currently got a 8 gallon tote with some chaeto, and just recently, some mangroves.

 

I would not be concerned of starving the macro of nutrients... As long as you have ample light, a little bit of iron supplementation once and a while the remaining PO4 and NO3 will be sufficient. I would go for 'fuge and GFO before I go only 'fuge....

Nutrient poor systems are the way to go, unless you are doing a Dutch system that is predominantly softies and macro algae....

Happy reefing!

 

I was told running 24/7 carbon will remove good and well as bad ?? an example would be Iodine and Mag ?? is this correct ?? and running a Fuge, best to run the GFO only if the PO4 starts to rise ??

LFS suggests running Carbon 3-5 days prior to water change, then off again till next W/C ??

 

i would say if it does absorb benefical elements(and i think it does) it doesnt do enough to detriment your tank more then it benefits if you have alot of corals.

the are many people that run carbon 24/7, it will help remove any bio warfare the corals are starting

they sell specific phosphate media if your having phosphate problems

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm not really having PO4 issues per se, just that I'm trying to make up my mind about a dual GFO+Carbon reactor or just a single carbon reactor from BRS. I currently have a small bag of activated carbon from a 3 pack I bought a while ago sitting in the bottom of my sump. I guess I'm just questioning it's usefulness right now, especially since I just received a pretty hefty shipment of mixed corals today.

I'm pretty happy with my levels right now, and since I've been able to keep them stable for awhile, with my new additions, I'd like to keep them that way.

I guess since I'll be ordering anway, I might as well bite the bullet and get the dual reactors for a few $ more. Hopefully you guys are right and running the GFO and Carbon would act more preventative instead of causing any issues, like the decline of fuge.

 

Running either thru a reactor will increase its usefulness as opposed to just general flow in sump. And you might even find the reactors useful in other areas down the road, money well spent if you ask me.

 

go simple - get a one chamber and put gfo and carbon in together!