Carbon dosing and GFO at same time?

[kjmsmith]

As it relates to lowering NO3 and PO4 I’ve read comments from some that it is not advised to run GFO when carbon dosing (ie vinegar, vodka). Is this a factual statement and if so is it a general rule of thumb or is this a consideration in specific situations?
Thanks for any input!

 

[WWIII]

I've ran them both together for a very long time before. They both could potentially cause issues I guess, but no specific reason to not run them together that I know of. I ran them for probably 6 months non stop years ago. Now I just stopped trying to control nutrients in that tank.

The carbon dosing works well to lower nitrates and the gfo does a very good job at lowering phosphate. High capacity gfo will lower alkalinity for a couple days when it's fresh, but most people don't do anything about it or don't realize it's happening. Something to watch maybe?

 

[ReefGeezer]

Carbon dosing removes nitrate in a greater quantity than phosphate. GFO used correctly can make up the difference.

 

[SPR1968]

I use both carbon dosing (Nopox) and GFO Rhowaphos as carbon dosing won’t keep phosphate down low enough.

It’s very effective for nitrate but less so phosphate hence the need for rhowaphos

 

[Hemmdog]

Nopox and chemipure elite over here. No issues going on 10 months. 5 nitrate 0.03 phos, right where I like it.

 

[Hemmdog]

double post

 

[Dan_P]

As it relates to lowering NO3 and PO4 I’ve read comments from some that it is not advised to run GFO when carbon dosing (ie vinegar, vodka). Is this a factual statement and if so is it a general rule of thumb or is this a consideration in specific situations?
Thanks for any input!

The point is not to starve the bacteria of phosphate. It is possible to slow or stop nitrate consumption with low phosphate levels. 0.03 ppm might be OK but it might be too low. Keep track of nitrate consumption per day or per week and the phosphate level. You might observe the rate slowing as the phosphate level drops.