GFO (PhosBan) - Just How Good Is It? - Page 16

Wind · 11/22/2008, 01:48 AM

I am running chaeto, is this really necessary?

Thanks.

More like, how often shall I change the bag?

conorwynne · 11/22/2008, 06:54 AM

Hey Wind,

I would always run chaeto as I've noticed nothing but good results from using it. I remove the same amount of chaeto per week that I originally put into the fuge, so it's pulling out phosphates and nitrates at a phenomenal rate. The skimmer hardly gets used at all.

I had a spurt of HA when the fuge was offline for a week during maintenance, it just disappeared when it came back online.
Co-incidence? I don't think so.

I'd change the media once a month, no less -- unless the tank still tests for phosphates. I don't even bother testing phosphates or nitrates any more, any time I do it always reports zero.

Regards
Conor.

Wind · 12/10/2008, 12:47 AM

I haven't seen TOO MUCH growth w/ the chaeto, but light is upgraded to 24watt from a measley 9watt.

When I run GFO in a bag, do I rinse it first and then hang it in my sump?

I am using it via media bag.

Thanks.

conorwynne · 12/10/2008, 02:39 AM

I love that, light upgraded to 9watts. Only works in a fuge eh?
Yes, you need to rinse the media prior to adding to the tank - a lot of people advocate rinsing in RO, I just use the tap at the kitchen sink.

You'll get far better results with the bag in a reactor or even a small filter housing - just be sure to dump any filter media out each week else you'll get a rise in nitrates -- just like bioballs. I never had nitrates until I started using floss for detritus collection. Must be related!

jjk_reef00 · 09/26/2009, 09:28 PM

Great Thread!

JTL · 11/29/2009, 09:33 PM

I am battling high PO4. Is a phosban reactor and media still the way to lower it? I just recently setup my refugium with cheato so it is not at full strength yet.

ser_renely · 11/29/2009, 09:39 PM

tag

jdieck · 12/01/2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTL

I am battling high PO4. Is a phosban reactor and media still the way to lower it? I just recently setup my refugium with cheato so it is not at full strength yet.

Basically yes although it depends on your inputs. I dose vodka, hava a large refugium full of chaeto and still use the media as I tend to feed heavy.

Reefobsession · 12/01/2009, 01:42 AM

Very interesting. Subscribed. I need a PO4 meter.

Aquarist007 · 12/01/2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefobsession

Very interesting. Subscribed. I need a PO4 meter.

phosphates are difficult to measure. Alot of time algae is consuming nitrates and phosphates as soon as they are imported so you get a zero reading

go on the premise that if you have algae then you have nitrates and or phosphates.

Frogmanx82 · 12/01/2009, 11:54 PM

I like the Elos test. Only use 2 drops of one solution, 2 drops of another, and the scale is easy to differentiate 0.01 vs 0.

shred5 · 12/02/2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capn_hylinur

phosphates are difficult to measure. Alot of time algae is consuming nitrates and phosphates as soon as they are imported so you get a zero reading

go on the premise that if you have algae then you have nitrates and or phosphates.

Almost impossible really. not only is it being consumed but phosphate test kits only measure one type of phosphate so you really never know what you got. The other thing is you need a good test kit like hach or merck.

The only real thing testing will do is let you know if they are dropping. Another hting they are good for is testing your makeup water to see if phosphates are getting in that way. If phosphates are getting in that way you will never get phosphate under control.

Dave

Aquarist007 · 12/02/2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shred5

Almost impossible really. not only is it being consumed but phosphate test kits only measure one type of phosphate so you really never know what you got. The other thing is you need a good test kit like hach or merck.

The only real thing testing will do is let you know if they are dropping. Another hting they are good for is testing your makeup water to see if phosphates are getting in that way. If phosphates are getting in that way you will never get phosphate under control.

Dave

+1
also if you don't have algae then I would not worry about measuring phosphates(unless in a sps dominant tank and the corals browning at the tips)

sabien · 12/02/2009, 09:44 PM

Great thread. I'm going to buy one for my tank.

McSassy · 01/01/2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capn_hylinur

phosphates are difficult to measure. Alot of time algae is consuming nitrates and phosphates as soon as they are imported so you get a zero reading

go on the premise that if you have algae then you have nitrates and or phosphates.

This is quite true!

elijaher · 03/18/2010, 10:01 PM

Bump nice thread

GOLFREEFER · 04/04/2010, 05:06 PM

What I don't understand is that if algae is using the P04 faster than we can test for it, then why does it still cause problems. If we stop introducing P04 then the algae shall die back, then rerelease it and the whole process starts over?

If you have algae but if you test it says 0, oh thats because the P04 is being used up by the algae. Oh really then why are my SPS still stunted, the algae all over the place should be taking up the P04 therefore not causing any problems.

JonnyD91 · 04/04/2010, 06:53 PM

phosphates might show 0 but what are the nitrates?

There are many, many other reasons besides P04 that will inhibit sps growth.

ALk, Mag, Cal for starters.

GOLFREEFER · 04/04/2010, 07:47 PM

I am aware of all the usually (easily detected and remedied) parameters of keeping SPS, that is not what this thread is about. We are discussing phosphate being an issue with all other parameters being in line.

I am worried about phosphate and the conclusion that it hinders SPS growth, hence the use of GFO, which is what this thread is about.

JonnyD91 · 04/04/2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFREEFER

I am aware of all the usually (easily detected and remedied) parameters of keeping SPS, that is not what this thread is about. We are discussing phosphate being an issue with all other parameters being in line.

I am worried about phosphate and the conclusion that it hinders SPS growth, hence the use of GFO, which is what this thread is about.

My point is there are many things (easily detected and remedied) that could also cause sps to not grow well. when you say "stunted", that doesnt really give any explination as to what the specific condition your sps are in. It may not actually be the P04 causing that particular problem. In any case sps does need some nitrate to feed on, if its competing with nusiance algae that very well could be part of the problem.

GOLFREEFER · 04/04/2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyD91

In any case sps does need some nitrate to feed on, if its competing with nusiance algae that very well could be part of the problem.

This part of your reply was great, actually relevant and helpful thanks!

JonnyD91 · 04/04/2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFREEFER

This part of your reply was great, actually relevant and helpful thanks!

np anytime. hit up the sps forum they got alot of great info there.

rperez915 · 04/12/2011, 08:38 AM

This is a great thread with lots of info. Will now be purchasing a hanna meter from BRS soon.

11/22/2008, 06:54 AM	#377
conorwynne Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 433	Hey Wind, I would always run chaeto as I've noticed nothing but good results from using it. I remove the same amount of chaeto per week that I originally put into the fuge, so it's pulling out phosphates and nitrates at a phenomenal rate. The skimmer hardly gets used at all. I had a spurt of HA when the fuge was offline for a week during maintenance, it just disappeared when it came back online. Co-incidence? I don't think so. I'd change the media once a month, no less -- unless the tank still tests for phosphates. I don't even bother testing phosphates or nitrates any more, any time I do it always reports zero. Regards Conor. __________________ New tank (468L or 120G) has salt and rock, just add coral and fish! Current Tank Info: New tank in progress....

12/10/2008, 02:39 AM	#379
conorwynne Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 433	I love that, light upgraded to 9watts. Only works in a fuge eh? Yes, you need to rinse the media prior to adding to the tank - a lot of people advocate rinsing in RO, I just use the tap at the kitchen sink. You'll get far better results with the bag in a reactor or even a small filter housing - just be sure to dump any filter media out each week else you'll get a rise in nitrates -- just like bioballs. I never had nitrates until I started using floss for detritus collection. Must be related! __________________ New tank (468L or 120G) has salt and rock, just add coral and fish! Current Tank Info: New tank in progress....

11/29/2009, 09:39 PM	#382
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	tag __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

12/01/2009, 11:54 PM	#386
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	I like the Elos test. Only use 2 drops of one solution, 2 drops of another, and the scale is easy to differentiate 0.01 vs 0. __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

04/04/2010, 06:53 PM	#393
JonnyD91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Manalapan NJ Posts: 1,444	phosphates might show 0 but what are the nitrates? There are many, many other reasons besides P04 that will inhibit sps growth. ALk, Mag, Cal for starters. __________________ Click my super cool username dropdown menu to see my new 90 Gallon In wall Build on my user home page :) Current Tank Info: 90G Reef - 2 MP40's - Apex Controlled - Reef Octopus PRO-SSS-DC1 Skimmer - 6 Bulb ATI Sunpower

11/22/2008, 01:48 AM	#376
Wind Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: In an extension Posts: 1,378	I am running chaeto, is this really necessary? Thanks. More like, how often shall I change the bag?

12/10/2008, 12:47 AM	#378
Wind Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: In an extension Posts: 1,378	I haven't seen TOO MUCH growth w/ the chaeto, but light is upgraded to 24watt from a measley 9watt. When I run GFO in a bag, do I rinse it first and then hang it in my sump? I am using it via media bag. Thanks.

09/26/2009, 09:28 PM	#380
jjk_reef00 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,476	Great Thread!

11/29/2009, 09:33 PM	#381
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I am battling high PO4. Is a phosban reactor and media still the way to lower it? I just recently setup my refugium with cheato so it is not at full strength yet.

12/01/2009, 01:42 AM	#384
Reefobsession Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IN Posts: 1,037	Very interesting. Subscribed. I need a PO4 meter.

12/02/2009, 09:44 PM	#389
sabien Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 71	Great thread. I'm going to buy one for my tank.

03/18/2010, 10:01 PM	#391
elijaher Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kansas City,Missouri Posts: 1,188	Bump nice thread

04/04/2010, 05:06 PM	#392
GOLFREEFER Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In a house, in a city, In the USA Posts: 80	What I don't understand is that if algae is using the P04 faster than we can test for it, then why does it still cause problems. If we stop introducing P04 then the algae shall die back, then rerelease it and the whole process starts over? If you have algae but if you test it says 0, oh thats because the P04 is being used up by the algae. Oh really then why are my SPS still stunted, the algae all over the place should be taking up the P04 therefore not causing any problems.

04/04/2010, 07:47 PM	#394
GOLFREEFER Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In a house, in a city, In the USA Posts: 80	I am aware of all the usually (easily detected and remedied) parameters of keeping SPS, that is not what this thread is about. We are discussing phosphate being an issue with all other parameters being in line. I am worried about phosphate and the conclusion that it hinders SPS growth, hence the use of GFO, which is what this thread is about.

04/12/2011, 08:38 AM	#398
rperez915 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kiss, FL Posts: 52	This is a great thread with lots of info. Will now be purchasing a hanna meter from BRS soon.