Gfo?

Jaycen B.

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I have algae, if I test PO4 and have an undetectable reading how is GFO going to work for my tank if it is being consumed by the algae? GFO takes PO4 out of the water right? Is GFO so efficient that it will take up PO4 before the algae can utilize it?

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GFO will be removing phates, in addition to. Dending upon how much it bound up in rock, sand, and algae...

Removing algae will speed process.
 
Ralph, I understand what you are saying. If I have algae, with undetectable PO4 in the water column, how effective can GFO be at removing PO4 if it will not show up on my test kit?
 
From my recent experience,it can make a big difference.
I also was not reading any,but when i added gfo thru a reactor all of my zoas have come to life along with torch coral and frogspawn.they have more extension than they ever have.
It can make a big difference(if thats your problem)
 
Jaycen B.;767683 wrote: Ralph, I understand what you are saying. If I have algae, with undetectable PO4 in the water column, how effective can GFO be at removing PO4 if it will not show up on my test kit?

It will remove it as the saturation will continue to leach out as the level of the water is lower than what is bound (excluding that you have taken steps to find a better higher protein per phosphate means of feeding).

Edit: The water leaving the reactor will be lower, much lower in phates....

Edit: Any algae removed, also contains phates, so that will lower it also...

You need to change it weekly if you are having issues....I change mine every 10-14 days....7 if I notice an issue....
 
sprinklerman500;767702 wrote: Do you have to use a reactor use GFO?I have been having a algae bloom since i installed new leds.

You can mix gfo with carbon and then put it in a high flow area. Almost like chemipure elite just cheaper. Only problem is carbon runs out faster then gfo. Gfo needs to slowly tumble when used by itself = need for reactor.
 
RacinRevo0818;767728 wrote: You can mix gfo with carbon and then put it in a high flow area. Almost like chemipure elite just cheaper. Only problem is carbon runs out faster then gfo. Gfo needs to slowly tumble when used by itself = need for reactor.

Not a good idea...
 
RacinRevo0818;767742 wrote: Just going by BRS newest directions for carbon and gfo. Have you had problems mixing it like this?

Yes, for a couple of reasons.....

Flow on GFO needs to keep it tumbling....carbon, needs to flow through...

Plus, they can last different times......
 
Jaycen B.;767663 wrote: I have algae, if I test PO4 and have an undetectable reading how is GFO going to work for my tank if it is being consumed by the algae? GFO takes PO4 out of the water right? Is GFO so efficient that it will take up PO4 before the algae can utilize it?

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No.
 
grouper therapy;767760 wrote: No.

Him and Rob are the "anti-GFO" ites......and even though I have brought them both conclusive sources over the past few years, they remain ignorant....don't worry about them when it pertains to phosphate and trates and GFO and such....
 
mysterybox;767765 wrote: Him and Rob are the "anti-GFO" ites......and even though I have brought them both conclusive sources over the past few years, they remain ignorant....don't worry about them when it pertains to phosphate and trates and GFO and such....
Strange thing is you are the one that has been writing an exhaustively boring novel on your war against algae/s over the past year or two. Now as ignorant as I may be, I have never had an algae issue. That is all the conclusive source or evidence I need. :roll:

Edit: Jaycen I'm not sure how anything could remove the phosphates before the algae did if it is exposed to the algae first. I suppose if all the water containing the phosphates passed over the gfo first it would remove po4 before it was consumed by the algae. The same would hold true in reverse giving adequate amounts of algae.
 
Added a bio pellet reactor over a month ago and took my carbon and gfo reactor offline. No issues and I have a super heavy bio load. Water is crystal clear and 0 NA. I'm sold!!!

Might add then back one day but it sure is nice not having to change carbon and gfo.
 
Silver Surfer;767805 wrote: Added a bio pellet reactor over a month ago and took my carbon and gfo reactor offline. No issues and I have a super heavy bio load. Water is crystal clear and 0 NA. I'm sold!!!

Might add then back one day but it sure is nice not having to change carbon and gfo.

I like me some bio pellets...


Jaycen, what type of algae and how long ago did it pop up?
 
You are going to hear mixed reviews about biopellets and carbon dosing in general. It is working in my tank, but it may not work for you. I have a heavy bioload and feed heavily. From what I understand, this is important. In an under fed, under stocked tank I hear that they don't do as well.

In my 210 I dose vinegar(a lot less likely to chug a gal of vinegar than vodka). It achieves the same results as biopellets, but must be kept up with.
 
I have green hair algae and bubble algae that grows in my overflows, which I remove on a regular basis. I have almost none in my DT but I do have a brown hair algae on some of my rocks which is unsightly. My tangs keep everything else mowed back. I was just curious if GFO would make any difference with the algae the tangs won't eat.
I think it may be more of a flow issue than a po4 issue because I get very low readings from my Hanna checker usually test twice and get .00 or .03 sometimes .00 both times. It's just annoying brown fuzz.

Edit: O, and I tried vodka for a while (4 months) and it put my tank to a NNS, when I stopped is when the brown fuzz appeared.
 
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