View Full Version : gfo and cheato
sgallagher7
04/05/2015, 09:18 AM
is running gfo necessary if you also have cheato? Does the gfo take away from what you want the cheato to accomplish?
Hodge1995
04/05/2015, 09:34 AM
In theory they would compete. It would depend on bioload. If there is too much phos for the chaeto to keep up with then gfo may be beneficial or vice versa. Testing would be the best way to figure this out.
sgallagher7
04/05/2015, 09:41 AM
been running the gfo with good success. Phosphate and nitrate at 0. Was unsure whether to switch out to cheato since the gfo can get to a point of saturation. Im trying as much as possible to stick to the K.I.S.S. model
Hodge1995
04/05/2015, 09:51 AM
If it aint broke don't fix it!
sgallagher7
04/05/2015, 10:04 AM
Thats my thinking, but maybe thinking too much. Will doing both effectively keep both phosphates and nitrates in check? I know the gfo works on the phosphates, but what about nitrates? Does the cheato act as a nitrate sponge? Would rather that take up the nitrates than any algae that shows up in the tank. Prevention is easier than treatment.
PhaneSoul
04/05/2015, 10:49 AM
Prevention is easier than treatment.
You are treating the issue with phos binders and chaeto, prevention would be removing the waste organic material before it is broken down into inorganic material.
While gfo & chaeto will do well for keeping phos and nitrates in check there are several other nutrients to think about as well and steps should be takin to maintain those as well. Part of the export what you import to keep the tropic state of your system
I run both, with a massive dark green ball of cheato---fills a 20 gallon fuge. GFO doesn't seem to hit it at all. Cheato is not potent itself to remove phosphate from a phosphated tank. It doesn't use as much. It has other very great virtues: breeding site for copepods and a fierce oxygenator that improves the water, but as phosphate removal, it's over-advertised.
sgallagher7
04/05/2015, 11:53 AM
Appreciate the feedback. I'm thinking of doing 15% water changes per month, light vac of the sand, cheato, and changing gfo monthly should hopefully be a good prevention schedule. Weekly param check also
PhaneSoul
04/05/2015, 01:01 PM
You could incorporate blowing the rocks free of detritus as well. Good flow can help with keeping detritus off too
sgallagher7
04/05/2015, 01:18 PM
most appreciated
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