GFO bad for high end SPS?

[R6REEFER]

Not really, "high end" sps are not actually distinct from other sps. Yes some types of sps have different levels of care but being high end has nothing to do with that. High end is purely a trade distinction.

No one else had a problem understanding the point I was getting across with that phrase. Yes it was lack of better words but I'm not here to preach grammar like alot of others enjoy doing. The fact of the matter is that 99% of reefers will know exactly what I'm talking about right off the bat with that phrase. To those who encountered confusion, I apologize. If i could edit the original post and change "high end" to "delicate" then I would do so for their sake. This is completely off topic so it's the last I'm going to touch on this.

As for the update, I just tested Po4 and it came up 0.04, same as yesterday. Usually a 24 hour period would have dropped levels to 0.02 with the high flow and rate of tumbling I use. I think the key is dialing in the quantity as well as rate of flow such as CodyRVA had mentioned. Thanks for all the insight guys!!

-Happy reefing

 

[CodyRVA]

You were changing the media every two weeks?! That's crazy bro. I usually give GFO a solid 3 months before I change, or until I see Po4 go up. You definitely had the same problem I am having right now though. I'd like to cut off GFO completely but when I do the rust colored sand algae returns. I've heard that it's diatoms that fill those characteristics but these aren't diatoms. I don't have any silicates in my tank and this algae reacts purely to increased Po4 and lighting. It disappears at night. Either way it's extremely unsightly and I won't put up with it so here I am at the standoff haha.

It was only 1/4 cup though, but yea it was changed twice a month, definitely didn't ever have any algae issues!

Have you considered running bio pellets? I got a cheap CPR bio pellet reactor, threw it in my sump, never have to worry about the thing.

 

[R6REEFER]

Haha yeah I would hope not, either that or you got some hardcore Po4!

No, honestly I never even looked into it. That's an area of media I've never even looked twice at. I think I'll do a bit of research. Thanks buddy!

 

[rockskimmerflow]

I've found carbon dosing -vodka/biopellets/nopox/etc to be very, very effective at eliminating nutrients, but more difficult to control long term than gfo usage. I've seen too many nice reefs get on cruise control with carbon dosing only to forget that the bacteria don't turn off, so miss feeding a couple days and wham those nutrients that were already riding the edge of low just hit as near 0 as possible. Sps don't tolerate it very well.

For me it's all about effective management of phosphates through the use of gfo. It must be balanced with feeding and regular testing of phosphates. The beauty of GFO is it's effectiveness isn't tied to a dynamic biological process. Find your feeding level, match gfo amount, change when phosphates reach the edge of desired range. Simple as that. Any nutrient control can cause issues if levels get too low or too high for the corals' liking. It's definitely possible to 'overdose' gfo and starve your corals slowly overtime.

Feed enough to make your corals happy and then hold the nutrients where they like it - no need to shoot for 0 N and P

 

[ajcanale]

I use GFO relatively aggressively. 1 lb at a time, tumbling, for 220g water volume, replaced once a month. Almost exclusively acropora, both common, delicate/sensitive, and high end. While I only have a medium bioload, I feed relatively heavy, and occasionally dose nitrates, which I feel are the more important nutrient to focus on... in terms of preventing ultra low levels. That said, evidence is purely anecdotal in my case as I've never tested for phosphate a single time. I certainly can tell when the GFO has maxed on absorption though.

Anyhow, I think there might be circumstances where certain sps keepers somehow have elevated phosphates and shock the corals when implementing above average amount of GFO, as it can pull down number very quickly. Phosphate can be alkaline after all.... I think?

edit: 1 lb is roughly 4 cups

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

I can't imagine that "high end" sps would act or respond any differently than any other type of sps

I see he corrected himself, but 'high end' should probably be replaced with 'species that contain less tolerant symbiodinium of wider ranges of paramters'.
(I've tried to follow this tangent of corals closely and it's pretty amazing, it throws a lot of what we thought we knew in the trash)

 

[phantomreefing]

I have mix feelings about low nutrient systems. The Zeovit system focuses on lowering all the nutrients and the coral coloration you get is out of this world.

Im not sure what to tell you not all high end sps are the same.

 

[Slm222]

How many fish do you have.

 

[R6REEFER]

I use GFO relatively aggressively. 1 lb at a time, tumbling, for 220g water volume, replaced once a month. Almost exclusively acropora, both common, delicate/sensitive, and high end. While I only have a medium bioload, I feed relatively heavy, and occasionally dose nitrates, which I feel are the more important nutrient to focus on... in terms of preventing ultra low levels. That said, evidence is purely anecdotal in my case as I've never tested for phosphate a single time. I certainly can tell when the GFO has maxed on absorption though.

Anyhow, I think there might be circumstances where certain sps keepers somehow have elevated phosphates and shock the corals when implementing above average amount of GFO, as it can pull down number very quickly. Phosphate can be alkaline after all.... I think?

edit: 1 lb is roughly 4 cups

What are you using to dose No3? Potassium nitrate (stump remover)? I just did a write up on a product I'm going to be keeping a log on, Aquavitro Synthesis. It's nitrates in a bottle and I'm going to start dosing tonight. Glad to hear that the GFO does not effect your acropora in a negative way. I'm not really concerned with Po4 as you've said, No3 is the key factor in my situation and it is what I'm focusing on. Thanks for the insight ajcanale!

 

[R6REEFER]

How many fish do you have.

3.

Orchid dottyback
Gold flake clown
Engineering goby

I will not add more as of now until I get a UV steralizer.

 

[ajcanale]

What are you using to dose No3? Potassium nitrate (stump remover)? I just did a write up on a product I'm going to be keeping a log on, Aquavitro Synthesis. It's nitrates in a bottle and I'm going to start dosing tonight. Glad to hear that the GFO does not effect your acropora in a negative way. I'm not really concerned with Po4 as you've said, No3 is the key factor in my situation and it is what I'm focusing on. Thanks for the insight ajcanale!

Potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate. I prefer to dose the later as I can test for both elements. A pinch of KNO3 on occasion doesn't seem to harm anything though

 

[hart24601]

I have found the exact opposite of gfo hurting sps. I run lots of gfo and I can visually tell when it's exhausted as the Sps brown up. If I don't catch it fast enough it can take a month to get color back. Pretty much at detectable levels on Hanna ultra low range are enough to brown. I dose nitrate to keep colors bright fwiw.