Gfo question

[Merdfrog]

I have been battling green hair algae/ turf algae/ bubble algae for months and am considering using gfo. I am worried that it's starve my coraline algae which is just starting to take off. Is gfo known to starve coraline algae or can it exist in a low phosphate environment?

 

[DED65]

You don’t want to strip out all of the phosphate. Start with a small amount and see what it does, you can always increase the amount. I would think that a reduction in phosphate enough to starve the coralline, would also starve everything else in the tank.

 

[Formulator]

You shouldn’t use GFO to treat a symptom (algae), unless you know the cause of that symptom is high phosphate. There are many other reasons you may have algae issues that GFO won’t solve. What is your phosphate concentration in the tank?

 

[Merdfrog]

You shouldn’t use GFO to treat a symptom (algae), unless you know the cause of that symptom is high phosphate. There are many other reasons you may have algae issues that GFO won’t solve. What is your phosphate concentration in the tank?

 

[Merdfrog]

0.1 ppm phoshates
Nitrates undetectable

 

[Formulator]

0.1 ppm phoshates
Nitrates undetectable

I wouldn’t use GFO at 0.1 ppm phosphate. GFO is the heavy hitter and since your nitrates are zero, a much better way to gently bring the phosphates down is to dose nitrate. You can use ammonium chloride if you want DIY style, or just buy NeoNitro. As nitrates come up, phosphates will drop. I can’t remember the science behind it, but I think @Randy Holmes-Farley might have an article on it. I can attest first hand that it works though. I had zero nitrates and almost 3.0 ppm phosphate. Dosing NeoNitro daily has brought my phosphate down considerably, but I did also have to use GFO because mine were so astronomically high. You are only at 0.1 ppm phosphate so I’d bet dosing nitrate will get you where you want to be. I actually don’t think it is too high where it is, but I know a lot of folks like to see it below 0.1.

Also get some trochus and/or turbo snails, and maybe an urchin. They will help beat back the algae and keep it down.

 

[Merdfrog]

I wouldn’t use GFO at 0.1 ppm phosphate. GFO is the heavy hitter and since your nitrates are zero, a much better way to gently bring the phosphates down is to dose nitrate. You can use ammonium chloride if you want DIY style, or just buy NeoNitro. As nitrates come up, phosphates will drop. I can’t remember the science behind it, but I think @Randy Holmes-Farley might have an article on it. I can attest first hand that it works though. I had zero nitrates and almost 3.0 ppm phosphate. Dosing NeoNitro daily has brought my phosphate down considerably, but I did also have to use GFO because mine were so astronomically high. You are only at 0.1 ppm phosphate so I’d bet dosing nitrate will get you where you want to be. I actually don’t think it is too high where it is, but I know a lot of folks like to see it below 0.1.

Also get some trochus and/or turbo snails, and maybe an urchin. They will help beat back the algae and keep it down.

Can I do that with something like reef roids. Also it's not a lack of snails I have an unbelievable amount of CuC and they still have a tough time eating all the algae.

 

[Formulator]

Can I do that with something like reef roids. Also it's not a lack of snails I have an unbelievable amount of CuC and they still have a tough time eating all the algae.

No, don’t use reef roids, they will skyrocket your phosphate. In fact, if you are using reef roids at all, I suggest stopping for a while. That could be causing your algae issues. You need a pure nitrate source to dose.

 

[Merdfrog]

No, don’t use reef roids, they will skyrocket your phosphate. In fact, if you are using reef roids at all, I suggest stopping for a while. That could be causing your algae issues. You need a pure nitrate source to dose.

I stopped montha ago while trying to battle algae. I may try dosing nitrates but I'll have to do my research first. I've only really heard of doing that in super mature sps tanks and I have mostly softies

 

[PharmrJohn]

Do you have corals in your tank yet?

 

[Merdfrog]

Do you have corals in your tank yet?

Yes mostly softies and a couple lps

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Trying to combat algae by limiting nutrients is typically suboptimal since corals and other organisms may also suffer at those low levels unless fed other foods than inorganic nutrients.