GFO, Carbon and salt

idan555 · 04/17/2018, 10:14 PM

Hello all,
im looking to my:
GFO
Carbon
Salt to mix with RODI...

I read about a lot of people saying some of the chunky carbon didn’t do a good job for them. Anyone know about good carbon?

Also, after i bought 5 stage RODI system form BRS I want to start and mix my salt water at home. I read many people saying they had a problem with high Mg levels because of the salt.
Any seductions about the best salt? (I’m not looking for the most expensive in the market)

Dan.

bertoni · 04/17/2018, 10:58 PM

There are a number of good carbon products available. The SeaChem Matrix Carbon is fine, and the ROX 0.8 is supposed to be very good.

Instant Ocean seems fine. A lot of Tanks of the Month have run on it, and it's fairly cheap.

MakomekTVN · 04/20/2018, 04:17 PM

I'm using
Aquamaxx rox 0.8
regular Instant ocean salt.
TL reef GFO
Cheap and effective.

RobZilla04 · 04/21/2018, 10:53 AM

Granular activared carbon will exhaust faster the smaller the particles. That being said it is the quicker method if you believe you have toxins. If you are wanting to use the carbon just for water quality (clarity) I suggest the cheap bulk stuff and a mesh bag placed in a high flow section if the sump.

GFO also should only be used as needed. Running 24/7 for weeks and months on end will create more problems than it solves. Corals need phosphates and nitrates. Get a good Po4 test kit and only run GFO if the level gets too high. Algae is a good indicator that your nitrates and phosphates are too high. Bottom both out and you'll kill your coral.

RODI is a must! Get a simple TDS meter to ensure you get the most out of the filters and replace when TDS gets above 5-7ppm.

04/17/2018, 10:14 PM	#1
idan555 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 174	GFO, Carbon and salt Hello all, im looking to my: GFO Carbon Salt to mix with RODI... I read about a lot of people saying some of the chunky carbon didn’t do a good job for them. Anyone know about good carbon? Also, after i bought 5 stage RODI system form BRS I want to start and mix my salt water at home. I read many people saying they had a problem with high Mg levels because of the salt. Any seductions about the best salt? (I’m not looking for the most expensive in the market) Dan.

04/17/2018, 10:58 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	There are a number of good carbon products available. The SeaChem Matrix Carbon is fine, and the ROX 0.8 is supposed to be very good. Instant Ocean seems fine. A lot of Tanks of the Month have run on it, and it's fairly cheap. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/21/2018, 10:53 AM	#4
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Granular activared carbon will exhaust faster the smaller the particles. That being said it is the quicker method if you believe you have toxins. If you are wanting to use the carbon just for water quality (clarity) I suggest the cheap bulk stuff and a mesh bag placed in a high flow section if the sump. GFO also should only be used as needed. Running 24/7 for weeks and months on end will create more problems than it solves. Corals need phosphates and nitrates. Get a good Po4 test kit and only run GFO if the level gets too high. Algae is a good indicator that your nitrates and phosphates are too high. Bottom both out and you'll kill your coral. RODI is a must! Get a simple TDS meter to ensure you get the most out of the filters and replace when TDS gets above 5-7ppm. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/20/2018, 04:17 PM	#3
MakomekTVN Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 151	I'm using Aquamaxx rox 0.8 regular Instant ocean salt. TL reef GFO Cheap and effective.