Changing carbon/ GFO

jmustapha · #1 11-19-2013, 07:54 PM

Hey guys. So everytime I come to change/remove anything granulated from my reactors I end up with a huge mess. Whether I'm trying to add new AC or GFO or I'm trying to remove it it ends up everywhere. Anyone have any tips/tricks to replacing this stuff and rinsing it without it causing a mess everywhere.

Reef Pilot · #2 11-19-2013, 07:59 PM

That's why I use these types of reactors with the refillable cartridges. No mess, no fuss, and very effective.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...=102101&page=2

Magickiwi · #3 11-19-2013, 08:48 PM

I just take the canisters to the bathroom and dump the GAC/GFO into the toilet then the sink etc. is there to rinse them.

Treebeard · #4 11-19-2013, 09:19 PM

Nice job on the carbon/gfo reactors but I thought I read somewhere that gfo should go before the carbon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

That's why I use these types of reactors with the refillable cartridges. No mess, no fuss, and very effective.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...=102101&page=2

Reef Pilot · #5 11-19-2013, 09:48 PM

I have seen it either way, not sure if it matters. I do this way, because the GFO is very fine, and being the last on the line, is not likely to clog as quickly.

AquaPin · #6 11-20-2013, 02:24 AM

For emptying, I too just unscrew and dump the old in the toilet...quick and easy with no mess. Rinse them out and then add the new media (rinse again of course). After connecting, I take the return tube and let it fill a small bucket in case there is any "rust" colour water still from the GFO, then place the return tube back into the sump.

Madreefer · #7 11-20-2013, 02:59 AM

To rinse both my carbon and GFO I just fill with new and put back in sump and turn the outlet of reactor in to a bucket outside of sump and fill it up. 2 birds with one stone. Rinsing my media while getting water out for my water change.

jmustapha · #8 11-20-2013, 04:44 PM

Thanks guys. I'm a civil engineer so I've seen first hand the damage that dumping non-organics can do to a city system so I have a hard time doing that but thanks for the input. How do u guys rinse without losing it all drain?

Magickiwi · #9 11-20-2013, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmustapha

Thanks guys. I'm a civil engineer so I've seen first hand the damage that dumping non-organics can do to a city system so I have a hard time doing that but thanks for the input. How do u guys rinse without losing it all drain?

Don't rinse too much. With GFO it looks awful but I do a couple swishes with RODI and that's all. Tank goes a little brownish for a couple hours and then it's fine. My carbon only takes one rinse to make it dust free. (Rox .8)