GFO Reactor help

warmitupchriss · Nov 23, 2016

So long story short I was able to successfully keep SPS corals long term because my phosphates were too high. I adjusted feeding intervals and sped up frequency of water and filter sock changes, but ultimately decided to go with a gfo reactor. I'm using the BRS one. Dropped my phosphates down to ZERO. Now this is too low and SPS are suffering again. I used the amount recommended by BRS. I've been told that is too much. So my question is do I need to dump ALL the gfo inside the reactor and start over with a reduced amount of new gfo or can I just scoop out maybe half or more of the gfo currently in the reactor?

Also I have some montipora in the tank that are losing color and even starting to turn brown in areas. Are those dead or can I leave them in the tank in hopes they get better after reducing the amount of gfo?

All help is appreciated. Thanks.

Reeferdood · Nov 23, 2016

Sounds like you have something else going on too.. I run GFO 24/7 in a small amount using a BRS reactor too. Phosphate is .02 using a Hanna checker and my corals are fine.. tell more about your setup and parameters..

warmitupchriss · Nov 23, 2016

Your Phosphate at .02 is good. My phosphate at .00 is not. I'm running more phosphate than you are. I simply want to know if I'm ok to just scoop out some of the phosphate I'm already using in my reactor or if I should dump the entire reactor out and start over with a new smaller amount of gfo. Anybody?

Reeferdood · Nov 23, 2016

If you are at 00 then I would take it offline entirely for a little bit. I use less than one cup in my reactor, how much are you using??

dragon99 · Nov 23, 2016

Yes, you can remove some of the GFO and then put it back online. Do you have the ability to reduce the flow through the reactor? If so, you can turn down the flow rather than toss the GFO.

Willz · Nov 23, 2016

Don't pitch the montis. They brown out when they aren't happy. As long as they are not white with scummy brown stuff growing on them they could still pull through. Agree with @Reeferdood that you can just stop running it for a bit. For me GFO is an expensive consumable and I try not to waste it. Take it offline then test and see when to add it back online. Good luck!