Couple newbie Gfo running in a reactor qs

[Reef Pilot]

I run a triple reactor, and the GFO is in the last one in the series, so the flow is not very strong. As a result I get no tumbling. However, I know my GFO works very well, as it quickly reduces my P04 to zero when I change it.

It usually lasts about a month (even much longer sometimes), and the clue to change it is when my P04 tests start to climb above zero.

I use the LR Hanna Phosphate checker, and it is much more accurate (measures in 2 decimal places) than other test kits that I have used prior. They would show zero long before the Hanna.

[Myka]

I forgot to mention...it's good practice to open up the flow and shake the reactor once a week to mix it all up to prevent tunneling and solidification of the GFO. it helps to keep detritus from settling and breaking down in there too.

[Timbits]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

I run a triple reactor, and the GFO is in the last one in the series, so the flow is not very strong. As a result I get no tumbling. However, I know my GFO works very well, as it quickly reduces my P04 to zero when I change it.

It usually lasts about a month (even much longer sometimes), and the clue to change it is when my P04 tests start to climb above zero.

I use the LR Hanna Phosphate checker, and it is much more accurate (measures in 2 decimal places) than other test kits that I have used prior. They would show zero long before the Hanna.

Thats good to know. I was worried its not tumbling enough. Do u just dip the checker in the water and it reads it? I hate testing water

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Timbits

Thats good to know. I was worried its not tumbling enough. Do u just dip the checker in the water and it reads it? I hate testing water

No, unfortunately it is not quite that simple. But once you do it a couple times, it is easy enough. Here are the instructions if you are interested.
http://www.hannainst.com/manuals/ist713_02_04_10.pdf