GFO Or Putrit For Algae?

[GoTakeANap]

Hey guys/gals. I am currently fighting hair algae in my biocube. I currently do not run any nutrient control(water changes took care of it in the past) but was wondering what would be best to lower my nutrients. Would you run GFO or Purit in a reactor and why? Thank you

 

[SPR1968]

It’s probably caused by high phosphate levels, you could run GFO (I use rowaphos) but it might be easier in a cube to just do more frequent water changes

 

[Jekyl]

What are the parameters and tank size?

 

[Screwgunner]

Algea scubber reactor . Small and very affective.

 

[Dan_P]

Hey guys/gals. I am currently fighting hair algae in my biocube. I currently do not run any nutrient control(water changes took care of it in the past) but was wondering what would be best to lower my nutrients. Would you run GFO or Purit in a reactor and why? Thank you

Which nutrients are you referring to?

 

[GoTakeANap]

What are the parameters and tank size?

All parameters are good other than phosphates are high. 32 gallon biocube

Which nutrients are you referring to?

Phosphate and nitrates

 

[Dan_P]

All parameters are good other than phosphates are high. 32 gallon biocube

Phosphate and nitrates

GFO for a quick reduction of PO4. For reducing nitrates you have many options: vinegar or vodka dosing, growing macro algae, sulfur denitrator…

 

[GoTakeANap]

GFO for a quick reduction of PO4. For reducing nitrates you have many options: vinegar or vodka dosing, growing macro algae, sulfur denitrator…

marco alage will also use up phosphates as well right?

 

[Screwgunner]

Any kind of algae will. I use phosgaurd. But it is very fast at removing phosphates fast so do not use much to begin with.

 

[Screwgunner]

Algae will use both phosphates and nitrates

 

[Screwgunner]

That is why I run a turff scrubber.

 

[jett555]

Run gfo like rowaphos. If you want to get rid of algae fast use a small urchin like tuxedo

 

[GoTakeANap]

The more and more I think about it, I am going to go with a santa monica scrubber in the 2nd chamber of my biocube. Thank you all for the help.

 

[Screwgunner]

Smart move you have to clean it every week nomatter what. You will like the results.

 

[GoTakeANap]

Smart move you have to clean it every week nomatter what. You will like

Just ordered it. Pretty excited about it. Ive always wanted to run a algae scrubber but never have.

 

[Screwgunner]

I would run it with skimmer to start .after it kicks in you dont need a skimmer anymore . But I run mine for the gas exchange. Plus I have 13 fish 25 snails 16 corals. In 120 gallons of water. I run charcoal in a reactor thats it.
Phosphates .02
Ph 8.2
Alkalinity 8
Nitrates undetectable

 

[Dan_P]

marco alage will also use up phosphates as well right?

The only downside of vigorous macro algae growth is the possible depletion of micro nutrients. I had vigorous Ulva growth that stopped growing and started to fall apart. I was dosing chelated iron and the NO3 and PO4 were elevated. When I started dosing Chaeto Gro, the Ulva regained its health and growth. I followed the recommended dose but that sickened my Mexican Turbo snails (cobalt poisoning?). I backed off to 1/7 the dose and snails recovered and Ulva still growing well.

 

[Screwgunner]

Not macro algae hair algae that grows on a screen.

 

[Dan_P]

Not macro algae hair algae that grows on a screen.

I am not sure whether there is much of a difference in micro nutrient consumption. The point is that when you drive photosynthesis, more than nitrate and phosphate are consumed, a fact that is typically missed when discussing algae scrubbers.

 

[Screwgunner]

Low is what you want for sps . I run my dt lights 10 hours and scubber lights 14 . My phosphates still climb up so I run phosgaurd with my charcoal but only 2 tablespoons. Works for me but I have a heavy load with fish and snails.