How much GFO?

[Bill_Moorman]

Hey all-

I just tested my phosphates using my hanna checker. I’m sitting at .02ppm and have been battling GHA for a year. System has been up three years.

I have a reactor from BRS which I plan to run some GFO with GAC, but I’m not sure how much to use. It’s a 40B with a 10 gallon sump, with displacement system water is 40gallons. I’ve got SPS and LPS, with only two clownfish, a small CUC and a pincushion urchin. Tried reef flux with no results.

Params are:
Alk:9.5
Calc: 450
Salinity: 35ppm
Mag: 1500
Nitrates: <1

 

[Bryknicks]

I would not bother with GFO at this point. It will strip the PO4 and cause even more issues for the tank. How long did you run Reef flux and at what strength? I've used it with good success in the past as with many others. What is your filtration on the tank? Do you dose any supplements? How old is the system?

 

[PatW]

For a 40 gallon, a series of big water changes might be the easiest way to go. For GFO, I might run a couple of tablespoons. Run it for a day and test to see what it did.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

I would not bother with GFO at this point. It will strip the PO4 and cause even more issues for the tank. How long did you run Reef flux and at what strength? I've used it with good success in the past as with many others. What is your filtration on the tank? Do you dose any supplements? How old is the system?

+1 don't run GFO. It will cause another set of issue for you. .02 P04 is low honestly so the GFO will completely strip your water and possible bleach SPS corals. Reducing the light, manual removal, and feeding will help reduce GHA. @Bryknicks had some good questions that would help us steer you in the right direction.

 

[Bill_Moorman]

I would not bother with GFO at this point. It will strip the PO4 and cause even more issues for the tank. How long did you run Reef flux and at what strength? I've used it with good success in the past as with many others. What is your filtration on the tank? Do you dose any supplements? How old is the system?

Thanks for the reply!
I ran the reef flux at full strength, 1 capsule/10 gallons, and left it in there since June. I did the first water change since adding the reef flux today. I have been manually removing the GHA every few weeks once it gets long enough to bother me. For filtration, just running a sump and a skimmer. The system is about 3 years old, and other than dosing 2 part, I am not supplementing.

I also feed so minimally (2-3 times a week) that I worry about my fish. I’m going to start feeding more because they are thinning out and I don’t like it.

I’ll forgo the GFO. Think a sea hare will help?

 

[Bryknicks]

I would focus on the source first as that would be the easiest way to battle this. When you started the tank did you start with live rock, if so was it from another tank or where did it come from? Dry rock, if dry rock was it cleaned before adding to the system?

I find it very strange that the reef flux did not work. Did it help at all? Did you see the algae turning white at all or disintegrating?

For starters, I would get the nitrate levels up higher to balance out the redfield ratio and see if that helps. Follow this by another reef flux treatment. Make sure that you mix the reef flux (empty capsules) in a cup of tank water first to dissolve it as much as possible, turn off skimmer or remove the collection cup for a few days, and let it do its thing. For GHA you should see it start to turn pale/white and disintegrate within the first 3 weeks. Also bump up your CUC to help remove the dying algae and help keep up with maintenance moving forward.