Phosban
- Thread starter Dbarnes
- Start date
Can the Aqua Medic GFO be regenerated like the HC BRS?
A few months ago a thread on regenerating gfo appeared on the Reef Chemistry forum.
The method in brief involves: 1) an overnight soak of used gfo in vinegar to remove accumulated calcium carbonate precipitant ,and then following a thorough rinse with fresh water;
2) a 1 week soak with occasional stirring in a lye solution (sodium hydroxide at 40 grams, about 3 table spoons per liter of ro water). I used this solution at about 5x the gfo voume. This soak dislodges the PO4 and replaces the oxide in the ferric oxide. After a very thorough rinsing it can be stored wet and used when you need it.
The process is easy and works. Just be cautious as lye can burn you wet or dry.
I just ran my first batch and it took down PO4 quite well. Some folks have used the same gfo 10x over. That's a lot of money saved. You can get a 2lb container of sodium hydroxide food grade powder for about $8. I got mine from AAA chemicals an online vendor. Besides whatever I don't use will make an excellent drain cleaner.
A few months ago a thread on regenerating gfo appeared on the Reef Chemistry forum.
The method in brief involves: 1) an overnight soak of used gfo in vinegar to remove accumulated calcium carbonate precipitant ,and then following a thorough rinse with fresh water;
2) a 1 week soak with occasional stirring in a lye solution (sodium hydroxide at 40 grams, about 3 table spoons per liter of ro water). I used this solution at about 5x the gfo voume. This soak dislodges the PO4 and replaces the oxide in the ferric oxide. After a very thorough rinsing it can be stored wet and used when you need it.
The process is easy and works. Just be cautious as lye can burn you wet or dry.
I just ran my first batch and it took down PO4 quite well. Some folks have used the same gfo 10x over. That's a lot of money saved. You can get a 2lb container of sodium hydroxide food grade powder for about $8. I got mine from AAA chemicals an online vendor. Besides whatever I don't use will make an excellent drain cleaner.
I rinse the GFO 3-4 times. meaning I use a plastic coffee can, and recharge with arrox 5 cups of GFO, and then rinse (fill up the can) woith RO/DI water, swirling around for a min or two ( 3-4 times). You don't need to be concerned about the Lye, as the worse it will do is bump up you PH a little. I have a controller, I see the ph go up from 8.17 to 8.22 when I change out my GFO in the evening. (I see it as a good thing). I ususally also use 1/2 recharded, and 1/2 new. Been doing that for the last few months.
Yes, but it will be exhausted long before the GFO is ready to be pulled out of the system because of the quick rate at which carbon works. If carbon is left in too long it can release everything it took in. GFO can stay in as long as needed even after it has been exhausted without releasing anything. Then you cannot regenerate the GFO because of the carbon mixed in with it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good product but has much more limitations than running the two products separately.