Do I need GFO?

Jakepen · Mar 15, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I'm happy to explain further any issues that concern you about it.

Thanks! I'll read up on it, if I have any questions...which I'm sure I will, I'll definitely reach out to you.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 15, 2016

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

Avp · Mar 15, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Just to clarify, vinegar use does not deplete alkalinity, and all types of carbon dosing lowers pH, vinegar just has more of its pH lowering at the start and less later when it is consumed, while for vodka the pH lowering all happens later. Spreading out the pH drop may be an advantage of vodka, but it still lowers pH.

FWIW, for manual dosing of vinegar, you can add calcium hydroxide into it to prevent any pH drop on addition. I did that before I got a dosing pump to add it slowly.

The pH in my tank runs on the low side...it's around 7.9 during the lighting cycle. I was thinking of starting carbon dosing. Should I be concerned about it dropping my pH too much?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 15, 2016

Avp said:
The pH in my tank runs on the low side...it's around 7.9 during the lighting cycle. I was thinking of starting carbon dosing. Should I be concerned about it dropping my pH too much?

No, I wouldn't worry too much. If it gets substantially lower, you can alter what you dose or the way or time you dose it.

Bruce Burnett · Mar 15, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Why do you believe a skimmer won't remove dissolved organics? It will remove many types of dissolved organic molecules.

I should have said it does not directly remove nitrates and phosphates

ou12004 · Mar 15, 2016

Keep it simple to start, 10 percent water changes weekly will work for a long time.
I have done that on a 30 gallon tank for 10 years with a hang on the back filter what the heck chemi-pure elite and a poly-filter. I kept every coral except NPS with no issues.
ATO with kalk made the biggest difference for me with the health of my corals.

Avp · Mar 15, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
No, I wouldn't worry too much. If it gets substantially lower, you can alter what you dose or the way or time you dose it.

Thanks Randy. My tank is mostly LPS and soft corals. Will carbon dosing make the water "too clean" for them or is that nothing to worry about?

s2nhle · Mar 15, 2016

you are in a good hand with Randy. Thanks,

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 15, 2016

Avp said:
Thanks Randy. My tank is mostly LPS and soft corals. Will carbon dosing make the water "too clean" for them or is that nothing to worry about?

It won't if you dose an appropriate amount, and they may like the extra bacteria to consume.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 15, 2016

ou12004 said:
Keep it simple to start, 10 percent water changes weekly will work for a long time.
I have done that on a 30 gallon tank for 10 years with a hang on the back filter *** chemi-pure elite and a poly-filter. I kept every coral except NPS with no issues.
ATO with kalk made the biggest difference for me with the health of my corals.

I'm not sure I understand your conclusion.

You use GFO in the Chemipure Elite.

GrandLotus · Mar 15, 2016

Its always best to have your water 'too clean' in my experience.

I have never had anything die from my tank being 'too healthy'.

Bruce Burnett · Mar 15, 2016

Randy is not just a chemist but one that uses his techniques or has tried them. Keeping it simple is always a good place to start and keep it there if it is working. The answers are sometimes different because everyone's tank is a bit different.

Bruce Burnett · Mar 15, 2016

GrandLotus said:
Its always best to have your water 'too clean' in my experience.

I have never had anything die from my tank being 'too healthy'.

Nothing dies if the tank is stable and healthy but too clean can happen today and be harmful to the corals, I have had that experience.

ou12004 · Mar 15, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I'm not sure I understand your conclusion.

You use GFO in the Chemipure Elite.

Sorry I was saying instead of running multiple media's, carbon and GFO in separate units, I just use elite in a filter.

The carbon dosing, with required equipment, skimmer, media reactors, ATS is a lot of equipment for a 30 gallon tank.

Jakepen · Mar 15, 2016

So for a beginner, with a 30 gallon tank. I don't plan on over feeding or over stocking, and doing regular water changes. What are top suggested ways of lowering nitrates? I want to keep it simple. At least until I fully get a grasp on reefing.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 15, 2016

ou12004 said:
Sorry I was saying instead of running multiple media's, carbon and GFO in separate units, I just use elite in a filter.
.

OK, thanks. I agree that is a fine plan.

GrandLotus · Mar 15, 2016

Bruce Burnett said:
Nothing dies if the tank is stable and healthy but too clean can happen today and be harmful to the corals, I have had that experience.

To answer the question at hand, yes...run GFO if you can.
Phosphates slow coral growth by inhibiting the uptake of calcium and alkalinity.

Response to the quoted statement:
I have a 500 gallon rated skimmer with my tank and also run carbon and gfo.

My tank is 150 gallons with a yellow tang and a red coris wrasse.
I do plan on more fish.

Corals get 95% or more of there nutrients from lighting alone.
SPS love my tank because its terrific.
10+ years reefing.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 15, 2016

GrandLotus said:
Corals get 95% or more of there nutrients from lighting alone.
.

Nutrients from lighting? What does that mean? You mean energy?

GrandLotus · Mar 15, 2016

nu·tri·ent
ˈn(y)o͞otrēənt/
noun
plural noun: nutrients

a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.
"fish is a source of many important nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals"

Origin

mid 17th century: from Latin nutrient- ‘nourishing,’ from the verb nutrire .

Translate nutrients to

Use over time for: nutrients