What do you think of their idea of splitting a single unit with GFO in the bottom and carbon in the top? Think that would work for a 90 gal?
Carbon or Chemi-pure elite?
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Never been a fan of doing "dual stage", ie 2 medias in 1 reactor. I know even the low end TLF/Poly reactors state you can do that, but like I said, the 2 medias require different flow rates, and putting both in the same chamber, even splitting the chamber with the foam dividers, still isn't the best method IMO. Ideally on your tank you would just get 2 single reactors with 2 pumps, one for carbon, one for GFO, although the GFO is much more important than the carbon so if it came down to one or the other, go with the GFO. Still, nothing stating you can't do dual media in one reactor.. it just isn't the best method IMO. Also, carbon runs out 2x as fast as GFO, so when you have to change out the carbon that is in the same chamber as the GFO, it makes things a little messy.
Thanks Ace. I think the GFO reactor is the way to go. Carbon could be bagged and thrown in the sump. Which would need to be changed most often, carbon or the GFO?
Carbon has to be changed out more than GFO but for me I error on the side of caution and change out both on the 1st of every month. I run 2 bags of regular Chemi-Pure for my carbon, and GFO in a reactor. I have figured out GFO on my tank usually runs out around 45 days were as the carbon runs out just shy of 30 days. Every setup is different though, and I feed my tank heavily, so my GFO runs out a little faster than on some other peoples tanks.
Well, I guess I'll think seriously about one of these systems for my new tank. The better I can maintain the water quality the better is will be for the fish, corals and me. 
Thanks. Do you buy from BRS?
Thanks. Do you buy from BRS?
GFO is easy to tell once you get a feel for it. For me, easiest way to tell is the algae film on the glass. When GFO is good, I only have to clean the glass once every 4 days.. but when GFO runs out, I get 4 days of growth overnight on my glass.
With carbon, harder to tell, but I have learned to go by smell myself. New/clean carbon has a certain smell to it and old used up carbon has more of a "fishy" smell. Not the most scientific method I know, but it works for me.
With carbon, harder to tell, but I have learned to go by smell myself. New/clean carbon has a certain smell to it and old used up carbon has more of a "fishy" smell. Not the most scientific method I know, but it works for me.
I think you mistaken ACE comment on algae on glass... We will still see very transparent algae on the glass...but you really have to look for it..it looks like more of a dusty film that you barely can see... after 4 days it becomes apparent its algae growing...and you will see snail tracks through it =p ...stupid snails I need to fire them. Doing a poor job like that leaving patches behind.
