GFO/BioPellet Reactors. Are there Cons to them?

I am really debating buying a BRS gfo reactor and either running gfo or possibly biopellets if decide to later down the road. I am wondering though are there any real cons associated with running GFO? I know some people have had issues with clams and with some bleaching of sps. Although from what I have gathered this is mostly due to running too much GFO too fast in the reactor instead of taking it slow.

 

It is also because you are not suppose to add all of the gfo recommended for the gallons supplied. You are suppose to work your way up or you can shock your system. Other parameters can also skew those myths too but the only con I can see is not using it unless the bio pellets are doing all the work for you or you have your phosphates under control . But also note this, everyone's system is not created equal. Call it a disclaimer.

 

I've had gfo in my reactor, did a combination of dosed and gfo, and then pellets...I've done pellets for about the last 2 months if not more, today I will be switching back to the dosing with the gfo in the reactor. I had the best results that way. I have to clean my glass so much more down, and bubble algae is starting to run wild in my tank. I never had anything when I was doing the old method.

 

+1 to ReefBruh on the shocking GFO can sometimes cause. If you drop your nutrients rapidly, it shocks your inhabitants and can cause bleaching, STN or RTN. I have one of these units and run GFO on freshly made Saltwater. I would not recommend one for Biopellets. I would get a reactor specifically produced for such (i.e. vertex, Reef Octopus, NextReef, etc.). I would also advise to try GFO first to lower nutrients to an acceptable level before starting solid carbon dosing, as so far, only some have had great success with pellets.

 

So forgetting the idea of pellets, the responsible use of GFO does not come with many negative side effects?

 

Nope, it's a very commonly used form of filtration. Just get the finds tumbling as slowly as possible (the slower the better you just want enough water to keep it from solidifying) And when adding fresh GFO make sure you let the water run clear out of the reactor before putting the outlet in the tank. After that change the media every 2-4 weeks and you should be great.

And to reiterate, start slow. Use half or less the recommended the first time and the 2/3rds the next time and then maybe the full amount. Better to use to little than too much early on. After the phosphates have lowered it's not as important. But you don't want to suddenly strip the water of phosphate when corals have adapted to the current levels.

 

Ah, this thread makes me feel like a fool. I added GFO, and then was posting why was my birds nest bleaching/RTN? Well, now I know. DUH and OOPS. Good advice here.