Neptune Aquatics

GFO Question

GDawson

GDawson

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I purchased and installed a BRS reactor with GFO to deal with phosphates from the feeding of my psycho anthias. The starting point per BRS is 12 tbls of GFO for a 100 gal volume tank. With such a small amount you can’t see the granules “tumbling” to determine flow rate because they are so far down the reactor chamber. How do I know whether the flow is too fast or slow? I’m using the recommended Maxijet 1200.

-Gregory
 
If I remember right it is 1tbls per 4gal. Which means you would have 25tbls for a 100gal tank. In general if you can't see the GFO granules just have a medium to medium slow flow out of the reactor. It is better to error on the slow side of things. Having the water flow too high causes the granules to collide with each other and break apart releasing the P04 back into the system.
 
Tumbleweed said:
If I remember right it is 1tbls per 4gal. Which means you would have 25tbls for a 100gal tank. In general if you can't see the GFO granules just have a medium to medium slow flow out of the reactor. It is better to error on the slow side of things. Having the water flow too high causes the granules to collide with each other and break apart releasing the P04 back into the system.
Click to expand...

Sounds good...I'll reduce the flow to 1/2.

BTW - I'm using the high capacity GFO which uses 1/2 the regular amount. I figured considering how much I feed these fish it seemed prudent.

-Gregory
 
Tumbleweed said:
If I remember right it is 1tbls per 4gal. Which means you would have 25tbls for a 100gal tank. In general if you can't see the GFO granules just have a medium to medium slow flow out of the reactor. It is better to error on the slow side of things. Having the water flow too high causes the granules to collide with each other and break apart releasing the P04 back into the system.
Click to expand...


While it is true you should run around 1T per 4g, you shouldn't do it all in one addition initially as well as when your media gets exhausted, it is very stressful to your corals, hence the initial recommendation from BRS.
 
tuberider said:
Tumbleweed said:
If I remember right it is 1tbls per 4gal. Which means you would have 25tbls for a 100gal tank. In general if you can't see the GFO granules just have a medium to medium slow flow out of the reactor. It is better to error on the slow side of things. Having the water flow too high causes the granules to collide with each other and break apart releasing the P04 back into the system.
Click to expand...


While it is true you should run around 1T per 4g, you shouldn't do it all in one addition initially as well as when your media gets exhausted, it is very stressful to your corals, hence the initial recommendation from BRS.
Click to expand...
I thought that was the reduced amount to start with and then you doubled it after 4 weeks or so.
This is for the standard GFO not the HCGFO
 
What about pellets vs. granular?...

Bottom line less is more in the beginning and later down the pike you may add more, or change more often, that's up to you. IME, GFO not only changes the PO4 levels it alters your the fauna in your tank that is doing the bulk of the breakdown and export of your nutrients, that is due to the difference in the composition available nutrients.
 
tuberider said:
What about pellets vs. granular?...

Bottom line less is more in the beginning and later down the pike you may add more, or change more often, that's up to you. IME, GFO not only changes the PO4 levels it alters your the fauna in your tank that is doing the bulk of the breakdown and export of your nutrients, that is due to the difference in the composition available nutrients.
Click to expand...
+1 agreed definitely better to start small
 
How long before I see a change in the Po4 levels? It's been 24 hours and no change. Could be this damn test kit.....are there any easier to read than Salifert?

-Gregory
 
I think there's a difference today...but this test kit is REALLY hard to read. Are there any recommendations for an easier PO4 test kit?

-Gregory
 
sfboarders said:
I use a Hanna phosphate meter. Reads to the hundreth. I'm happy with it.
Click to expand...


True... but isn't the error margine +/- .04?
 
GreshamH said:
sfboarders said:
I use a Hanna phosphate meter. Reads to the hundreth. I'm happy with it.
Click to expand...


True... but isn't the error margine +/- .04?
Click to expand...

Yes. Gresham is correct. Got to be careful with what reading you trust. I find mine to be precise due to consistent readings when measured several times, but do question the accuracy at times.
 
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