DIY'd an Algae Scrubber - Should I Remove GFO?

[NJBillyV]

Hello everyone!

Thanks to YouTube I DIY's an algae scrubber for $56.99 (Amazon), and that's for everything including the light and pump. It works great, I already have algae growing.

So the question is, do I stop running GFO??

Do most people run both, I'm not sure if there's a best practices approach I should know about.

As always, thanks!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Depends on how high phosphate is. If it is low (<0.2 ppm in this context), don't try to run both. If phosphate is high (>0.2 ppm), its fine to use both.

I used both macroalgae and GFO and organic carbon dosing all at the same time.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I don't like gfo/chemical filtration but whether or not to take yours offline just depends on how your parameters are looking

 

[HuduVudu]

I would especially if you have tangs.

 

[NJBillyV]

I have no Tangs, and at $200 a pop, I won't be getting one. Just YWG, Firefish, and a pair of clowns. It's a new tank.

Perhaps I should yank the GFO until my scrubber gets some nice algae growing then put it back in??

Am I thinking about this right??

 

[HuduVudu]

You really don't need GFO on a properly maintained tank.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I have no Tangs, and at $200 a pop, I won't be getting one. Just YWG, Firefish, and a pair of clowns. It's a new tank.

Perhaps I should yank the GFO until my scrubber gets some nice algae growing then put it back in??

Am I thinking about this right??

You cannot jusdge whether or not you need something like gfo for removing phosphate without testing phosphate. Try the scrubber, watch your phosphates, and if they're high add the gfo. That's all there is too it

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Let the scrubber ramp up in capacity until you're getting reliable growth. Once you are there you can start backing down on GFO use, but I recommend doing that slowly and over time to avoid a rapid change in phosphate levels. Like when you change the GFO, reduce amount by 25% or so, then next change reduce to 50% of original amount, etc, and monitor & adjust accordingly.

 

[NJBillyV]

Thanks for all the great advice I believe I have a plan now.

Slowly reduce GFO while my scrubber ramps up and let my phosphate level be the determining factor for continued use of GFO.

New tank, 4 fish, eventually a reef tank: What Phosphate # am I looking for, 0?

Also, Algae Scrubbers do more than just remove phosphate don't they? Anything else I should look out for?

 

[Charley75]

More importantly, let’s see the design and product!!!

 

[Coral-vault]

once your phosphate is under control i would remove the gfo. a scrubber can easily bottom out most tanks.

 

[Garf]

More importantly, let’s see the design and product!!!

What?

 

[Charley75]

Pics of the DIY algae scrubber