Carbon and GFO question

[Grape_City_Reefer]

I currently run activated carbon in a filter bag this is my only chemical filtration. I have a three part question:

-I have been reading a lot on this forum and wonder what activated carbon type and brand is recommended, I was looking to order from BRS.

-Will GFO help with hair algae?
---PH:8-8.2
---Ammonia and Nitrite:0
---Nitrate:0-10

-If yes to the second question can you run GFO and Activated carbon simultaneously?

Thank you in advance.

 

[lapin]

I currently run activated carbon in a filter bag this is my only chemical filtration. I have a three part question:

-I have been reading a lot on this forum and wonder what activated carbon type and brand is recommended, I was looking to order from BRS.

BRS .8 ROX Carbon

Will GFO help with hair algae?
---PH:8-8.2
---Ammonia and Nitrite:0
---Nitrate:0-10

Maybe, it lowers Phosphate. What is your Po4 now?

If yes to the second question can you run GFO and Activated carbon simultaneously?

Yes. I would put it in a separate bag than the carbon.

 

[Grape_City_Reefer]

BRS .8 ROX Carbon


Maybe, it lowers Phosphate. What is your Po4 now?

Yes. I would put it in a separate bag than the carbon.

I have not tested for PO4, I currently have a simple API test kit. I have my LFS test my water once in a blue moon to confirm my kit is still reading accurately, I don't think they have tested for PO4 either. I will add it to my list of things to get and have done.

 

[Jay Z]

You can also look up gfo reactors online. Not saying you need to get one, but will show you the principal on how they work.

 

[homer1475]

In a reactor you can run carbon and GFO together. GFO is best effective in a reactor. You can run it passively, but it clumps together and depletes very quickly.

Before I would consider GFO though, get a PO4 test. GFO is used to lower your PO4, which can contribute to algae.

Get that PO4 test before you go any further though.

 

[Grape_City_Reefer]

In a reactor you can run carbon and GFO together. GFO is best effective in a reactor. You can run it passively, but it clumps together and depletes very quickly.

Before I would consider GFO though, get a PO4 test. GFO is used to lower your PO4, which can contribute to algae.

Get that PO4 test before you go any further though.

Thank you, I will do so.

 

[Small triggers]

If you have hair algae or other nuisance algae, you may have a zero phosphate reading as they are using it up. But you still need to have a test kit for it once you get it under control. Running charcoal and a gfo should help, but you may also want/need to figure out what is causing your tank to have the excess phosphates that this algae is using for fuel...

 

[Devisissy]

So if you are not really seeing any algae and don't show excess phosphate, it's a waste of money for GFO? Or is it something a reefer should do as prevention?

 

[Small triggers]

So if you are not really seeing any algae and don't show excess phosphate, it's a waste of money for GFO? Or is it something a reefer should do as prevention?

I wouldnt run it if there isn't evidence. No reason to try to pull nonexistant phosphates out...