GFO while using MB7/Vodka?

JR's Reef · Oct 28, 2009

Is there any need to still use GFO while dosing MB7 and Biofuel/Vodka? Im doing both but Im still getting a green film algae. How are others doing this?

xmjxflipx · Oct 28, 2009

i would like to know this answer too..........i am dosing mb7 and biofuel and i still get the green film......and thats while using GFO lol from BRS HC.......

joey do you use RODI water?

Im not sure if this is the cause but i use RO, not RODI but u know it could be part of the cause. Im going to get an RODI someday though.

JR's Reef · Oct 28, 2009

I thought I read a thread on another site that says that running GFO with dosing causes it not to be able to do its job but cant find the thread. I use RODI. Sending you a PM also

gilmour01 · Oct 28, 2009

i run it at the same time just b/c i can. technically it can be a waste of money if your phosphates are already 0 with vodka dosing, but i like to overkill it anyway.

xmjxflipx · Oct 28, 2009

i need it overkill too...sometimes the phosphates can test 0 but the algae could be consuming it...making it a false 0 on the tes.

Paul_N · Oct 28, 2009

I have been dosing vodka and Biodigest for over a year and took GFO offline about 3 months ago. So far the phosphates have remained in check about .03 - .05.

stunreefer · Oct 29, 2009

Some people experience cyanobacteria (likely the green film you refer to) while dosing vodka as a carbon source.

Generally speaking running a probiotic system and GFO can be counterproductive, and the probiotic system should be able to keep PO4 down on it's own. With that said I do know people who have, or did, run both without issues and they have amazing reefs. Just be careful if running both not to starve your system of PO4, remember corals need some PO4 in order to survive, too much of it just inhibits calcification.

eggie · Oct 29, 2009

stunreefer said:
Some people experience cyanobacteria (likely the green film you refer to) while dosing vodka as a carbon source.

Generally speaking running a probiotic system and GFO can be counterproductive, and the probiotic system should be able to keep PO4 down on it's own. With that said I do know people who have, or did, run both without issues and they have amazing reefs. Just be careful if running both not to starve your system of PO4, remember corals need some PO4 in order to survive, too much of it just inhibits calcification.

Cant be better said

Usefulidiot213 · Oct 29, 2009

Just my own opinion, but I rather do one thing at a time. If you are dosing Vodka, MB7 & running GFO, I am sure your PO4 will be way down; but your not sure why. If you can just dose Vodka and get your PO4 to zero with no nuisance algae, why waist money on MB7 & GFO, which are not cheap. I prefer to do things in steps that way I know what effect I am getting, I am not wasting money, and not dumping things into my tank that are not to any benefit.

JR's Reef · Oct 29, 2009

stunreefer said:
Some people experience cyanobacteria (likely the green film you refer to) while dosing vodka as a carbon source.

Generally speaking running a probiotic system and GFO can be counterproductive, and the probiotic system should be able to keep PO4 down on it's own. With that said I do know people who have, or did, run both without issues and they have amazing reefs. Just be careful if running both not to starve your system of PO4, remember corals need some PO4 in order to survive, too much of it just inhibits calcification.

But dont it take PO4 down at a slower rate? My PO4 is not low its alittle higher than I want but want to take it down safely without bleaching stuff like Ive done before