Mixing media types in phosban reactor

hummer · #1 05-27-2009, 03:30 PM

Just wonder what people put in their phosban reactors. I am currently only using carbon. But I have extra ammonia and phosphate media sitting around. Could I add all 3 at the same time or would that be too much media for the reactor to work effectively?
Thanks for any suggestions.

sharuq1 · #2 05-27-2009, 03:35 PM

I'm not really the best person to answer this, but to my knowledge some types of media are harder than others. For example carbon might be likely to pulverize the phosphate media into dust. Also some medias last longer than others; this would make it harder to keep it fresh.

hummer · #3 05-27-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharuq1

carbon might be likely to pulverize the phosphate media into dust.

yeah I thought about that. I figured maybe I could cut some carbon foam to put inbetween.

christyf5 · #4 05-27-2009, 04:10 PM

some medias last longer than others as well. I change out my carbon every month while the phosban media lasts for 3 months or so.

I also find that carbon runs better with higher flow (imo) while phosban barely needs a trickle through it.

Myka · #5 05-27-2009, 06:54 PM

Different medias work better at different flow rates. GFO needs to be about 100 gph where most carbons work best at 600 gph. Not sure about the ammonia media, although I would be wondering why you would need to use ammonia media. I wouldn't put ammonia media in my tank at all.

hummer · #6 05-27-2009, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the info!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Not sure about the ammonia media, although I would be wondering why you would need to use ammonia media. I wouldn't put ammonia media in my tank at all.

The ammonia was left over when I had a mechanical filter. I've used only carbon for the last 2yrs. Just curious why you would not use ammonia media. Or is ammonia media only useful for start up tanks when ammonia is higher?