GFO bleeding through mesh bag

WhatCouldGoWrong71 · Jul 19, 2023

Do you guys put it in that and then put it in your reactor to prevent tumble? Attach files

X-37B · Jul 20, 2023

SauceyReef said:
My biggest issue with it was that it seemed inconsistent in the removal, and got used up very fast. For the first 1-3 days it would shoot my phosphate down even with a very small amount in the mesh bag. Than it would very fast raise back up. I could never figure exactly how much I needed for a gradual decrease. Not sure if GFO will be similar as I have never used it.

Coincidentally I just got my ICP test back, and I have slightly elevated aluminum levels.

Your size tank makes any gfo reducer touchy. When needed, po4 >0.1 I use 1 tablespoon in my 20g.
Yes it will remove po4 fast if you use to much. You will get the same issue with gfo, do to the size of system.
What is your current po4 number?
Your system looks good so im wondering the need for a po4 reducer.

SauceyReef · Jul 20, 2023

90's reefer said:
Your size tank makes any gfo reducer touchy. When needed, po4 >0.1 I use 1 tablespoon in my 20g.
Yes it will remove po4 fast if you use to much. You will get the same issue with gfo, do to the size of system.
What is your current po4 number?
Your system looks good so im wondering the need for a po4 reducer.

My PO4 is fluctuating on a 2-3 week basis to .5ppm -1.5ppm. I personally notice when I am around .5ppm my tank starts looking much better, and when I start climbing past 1.2ppm I notice corals not looking the best. It also seems that high enough phosphate will make my RFAs and some inverts unhappy (even with ample nitrate).

I know I should not be chasing numbers - but something has been plaguing my tank for a bit. I finally got my ICP test in and everything was basically perfect, and the only recommendation ATI gave me was I should run some GFO to get the phosphates down. I felt like that was my problem before the ICP results, so this just kind of emphasizes to me my problem is either high phosphate, or at the very least fluctuating phospate from .5ppm - 1.5ppm. I am really not sure what could be causing such fluctuations besides maybe me pouring to much food some days, missing a water change, or not keeping up with pump maintenance.