PO4 & NO3 Control w/ Dr.Tim's NP-Active Pearls

[RobZilla04]

Anyone have thoughts / experiences with this product for controlling or maintaining levels of PO4 & NO3?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MP0JBW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1

Is this simply a media for beneficial bacteria to grow on????

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is probably poly(hydroxybutyrate) like other biopellets. I'm personally not a fan of biopellets compared to liquid organic carbon dosing since it is much harder to control the timing and dose of the organic.

 

[RobZilla04]

Looking for a better PO4 control than the ups and downs w/ GFO reactor on/off.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Looking for a better PO4 control than the ups and downs w/ GFO reactor on/off.

I don't think any type of organic carbon is especially well suited to phosphate removal, relative to nitrate, due to denitrification which consumes organics and nitrate, and not phosphate.

Why does the GFO need to turn on and off? Can't you just reduce the amount so 24/7 works?

 

[RobZilla04]

Was under the impression GFO 24/7 was not good (creates other issues?).

Certainly can reduce volume to maintain low Po4.

Noticing stony corals showing signs of new growth since using GFO to reduce Po4 from 0.45 to less than 0.1.

 

[RobZilla04]

Anyone have negative experiences using small amounts of GFO 24/7 for maintenance of PO4.

 

[reeftivo]

Anyone have negative experiences using small amounts of GFO 24/7 for maintenance of PO4.

Nothing negative here! works fine for me to hold mine at .02. i run only 10ml until my PO4 gets up to .05 then i change it out. system is around 280 liters and i change every couple weeks give or take.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Nothing negative here! works fine for me to hold mine at .02. i run only 10ml until my PO4 gets up to .05 then i change it out. system is around 280 liters and i change every couple weeks give or take.

I ran GFO 24/7 without apparent issue.