Carbon & GFO Reactor

I ordered a C&GFO Reactor for my tank set up - 100 gallon - I was going to do it half Carbon half GFO - but the more I read I am thinking I may be better off to get a separate unit for the GFO -

Is there a benefit to mixing them or should I keep them separate?

 

Much better to use seperate reactors,especially for a large system.Carbon and gfo work best at different flow rates and the gfo will probably not need changing as often as the carbon so a seperate reactor will most likely pay for itself as gfo can be costly.

 

^^+1

you can always use carbon in a media bag in a higher flow area of your sump.

 

Agreed with both.

Also, GFO works best if tumbled gently in the reactor; at that rate, the GAC will grind it to dust.

 

I personally mix the two. I see the same results as when I had them running in separate reactors or even the carbon alone in a bag.

 

I just ran across a video on BRS on how they now mix the media in a single reactor as well. Interesting as that has changed from the video a few years old.

 

I have the deluxe reactor from BRS and use it only for GFO. I've been keeping it where it's is just below the boiling point but the top surface has a bit of agitation. I check it everyday when I feed and adjust it as necessary. I figure this rate gets the best "dwell time".
I just keep carbon in a sac in the sump.

 

I have the space as I am setting my sump up in the boiler room - I am going to use a media bag to start and add a second for carbon down the road.

 

Yesterday I was at my lfs with reactor in hand, when an employee stoped me and basically told me that this is a bad idea because gfo will also greatly reduce my magnesium. I had never heard this before and took his advice( for now) Has anyone else heard of this?? I really like everything I have learned about a reactor and would like to have one! Any advice is appreciated thanks.