Media confusion

[Reefer79]

So we've been changing our tank recently by doing some add ons, our tank is approx 18 months since cycled, water perams good but we've had an issue with phosphates due to a deep sandbed and possible overfeeding. We cleaned the sand, got things under control then 2 weeks later another phosphate spike. We've decided to clean the sand weekly with our water change and add gfo. Before we were running carbon in a bag in the sump and cheato in a reactor but never the gfo. We bought a three chamber unit, one carbon, one gfo, one filter. My question is, will my corals suffer with running all this filtration, we also have a skimmer avd sock. Will I have to direct feed often so they don't suffer? Apart from water changes, I don't know how else to keeo the phosphates down. With a big tank water changes are already a nightmare, I'd hate to do more than we already do weekly. Would removing sand help? Or is this just an overfeeding issue? Will gfo help or make my tank suffer. I'm using the required amount but no changes as of yet. Its been 48hrs. How long before it starts to work? I've read mixed reviews online about whether to use it and how much.

 

[Jay Z]

Far as using the go goes, its usually go first than carbon. When first bringing online you should run half the dose so as not to shock the tank. It will take time to work itself down. Wont happen overnight.

For recommendations, my setup according to the directions should have 9 tablespoons, I'm running 20 to keep it where I want it. So it is a trial and error process. No ill effects from running any of it in my tank.

 

[Reefer79]

Far as using the go goes, its usually go first than carbon. When first bringing online you should run half the dose so as not to shock the tank. It will take time to work itself down. Wont happen overnight.

For recommendations, my setup according to the directions should have 9 tablespoons, I'm running 20 to keep it where I want it. So it is a trial and error process. No ill effects from running any of it in my tank.

It stated 1 tablespoon per 4 gallons, then double after 4 weeks. We have about 2 cups of gfo running a 140 gallon system. Is that too much? The box states it lowers in 24 hrs lol no change obviously hence the post

 

[Jay Z]

How’s the flow in your reactor? If no change in 72 hours I usually add more myself.

 

[Reefer79]

How’s the flow in your reactor? If no change in 72 hours I usually add more myself.

The carbon isn't moving much but the gfo is tumbling at the top layer. I also have two types of gfo, the heaver pellets sunk to the bottom. Makes sense but didn't think it made much difference in size to use in a reactor? I bought a small box from the store then ordered more online which was different size, I just added the small box to the big tub and mixed them.

 

[Jay Z]

Sounds like you have the flow right. I’d wait for 72 hours than add more if nothing changes.

Someone with more knowledge should chime in shortly.

 

[Reefer79]

Sounds like you have the flow right. I’d wait for 72 hours than add more if nothing changes.

Someone with more knowledge should chime in shortly.

Any ideas how to bring my phosphates down without using gfo? Ultimately I don't want to use it as my water might end up too clean and corals may suffer. I'm thinking adding more sand was a bad idea. Hassle ever since. We've removed a bit of live rock recently too so this could also be the cause.

 

[Jay Z]

Lets get some more info on your set up so others can take off when they see the post.

What are/were your levels? From before you got control, when you got control, and then when it started climbing again.

What was done to get it to the controllable level

Pic of set up and sump and the fish load.

How much you feed

How bad was the sand bed when you vacuumed?

Not trying to nit pick but the info will help get a clear picture for everyone else..

 

[Reefer79]

Lets get some more info on your set up so others can take off when they see the post.

What are/were your levels? From before you got control, when you got control, and then when it started climbing again.

What was done to get it to the controllable level

Pic of set up and sump and the fish load.

How much you feed

How bad was the sand bed when you vacuumed?

Not trying to nit pick but the info will help get a clear picture for everyone else..

Our tanks were built in the wall so a photo is impossible from the back as its all covered in black film and from the front you don't see the sump or full tank. We have 2 tanks and the sump, the top you can only see portholes from the front. The tank levels were Sal 1.025,temp 77,ph 8.3,Amm 0,trites 0,trates 1.0,phos 0.5ppm,mag 1300,cal 490. 150g, w/sump, protein skimmer, sock, chaeto and carbon, gfo reactors, lighting-led ilumenair 1200 connect running 10hrs. The only change has been the phosphates and less rock. We removed about 30lbs. We have 10 clowns, 1 goby, 1 filefish, yellow and blue tang, 2 pajama fish avd a couple damsels-approx 10, 3 carpet anemones in one tank, 3 bubble tips and 3 tube anemones in the other. Mostly soft corals, 2 branching torches , 1 hammer. About 20 snails and crabs, few shrimp. Phosphates now at 2.0. Doing a weekly water change of 20%. We have our own rodi water set up. The sand only seemed dirty at the top, still pretty white imo. I've posted pics, the single tank was before we added the second above. So things were moved about between the two. Need a better photo of the two in the day when corals are open and colorful. Hard to see at night. But you can see the difference in sand level and amount of rocks. I feed once a day, mixing between flakes and frozen food. I direct feed my anemones twice a week and direct feed my corals once a week using reef roids.

 

[Reefer79]

I've not had any replies as of yet, still the same issue, almost a week now and gfo running with no help. My phosphates are between 1-2, can't seem to get them to go down. Corals suffering. No idea what is going on or what else I can do. Lost a 5 headed torch, had over a year. I'm gutted!! Seems like removing live rock has caused a huge mess. We added siporax to combat that but not an instant fix. At a loss here