Anyone using Caribsea Geo-Marine Florida Crushed Coral for Reactor Media?

[Beng]

I think I've seen this post on the other forum before but I just want to double and triple check, anyone using Caribseas Geo-Marine Florida Crushed Coral as reactor media, any problems, is it pretty much the same thing as Caribsea A.R.M.?

http://www.carib-sea.com/pages/products/marine/substrate/seaflor.html

Many Thanks for any info.


Beng

[David Grigor]

I used it from 1996 - 2003. No longer use reactors but I didn't find any significant benefits from the most expensive ARM and other media. Supposedly phosphates are higher but a mature well maintained system the amount of phosphates added to your system from the media is probably negligable compare to other phosphate sources......

[Beng]

Thanks David for the info/confirmation.
Always look forward to reading your posts and I always learn
something new each time.

Many Thanks,

Beng

[David Grigor]

If you do begin to have algae issues, it would be something to look at as a possible cause after exhausting all other phosphate contributors. Most likely would not be the root cause though of any algae issues but at least keep in mind.

Back in 1996 when reactors where pretty new to the scene this was basically the only option. Then when companies started to see an opportunity to make $$ then the other medias began to sprout. I'd only consider the higher if you end up having problems. I know in my case the amount of media my reactors would hold, it would take more then 2 containers of ARM to fill so the cost was pretty significant with very little added benefit IMO. Over the years I tried the ARM and the Gold something or other and always came back to ole' faithful.

Others will also use the PH soluablity as a major pro to using the higher brands. This too IMO is negligable, especially if you use in Kalkwasser in conjuction to the reactor to help negate the lower PH from the CO2 usage.

[mattb]

The other thing you could do if concerned about potential PO4 issues from the reactor media is to have the output of the Ca Rx go through GFO before entering the tank...