What method should I do?

[Ocean’s Piece]

I need a method of phosphate export on my 32 gallon biocube. I want to do Lanthanum Chloride, but I feel my tank is too small to keep it at a consistent level. I would prefer it be around the same number all the time and not dose every month or so just to drop it. I also would prefer not do GFO because of the cost but I feel like that is probably the best option. I have also considered a refugium but I think it would cost more money to change the back area for the cost and not be as effective. I'm open to doing any of these options or other ones. What do you think I should do?

 

[mrlavalamp]

in a small volume like yours GFO or other media would be the easiest means of ongoing reduction/control.

If you have very high Phosphate (1ppm or more) I would do a water change or two to get it down initially, then start using the GFO. Lanthanum could be used in this circumstance as well, but you must use it correctly for it to be safe and effective. With such a small volume the water changes would be better/easier I think.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Gfo in a mini reactor is nice because you can set it on a timer to only run a certain number of hours per day. If your numbers start creeping up, add 30 minutes. If you're getting to the low side of ok, reduce it. You also won't need much and bulk gfo isn't expensive.

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

in a small volume like yours GFO or other media would be the easiest means of ongoing reduction/control.

If you have very high Phosphate (1ppm or more) I would do a water change or two to get it down initially, then start using the GFO. Lanthanum could be used in this circumstance as well, but you must use it correctly for it to be safe and effective. With such a small volume the water changes would be better/easier I think.

Yeah my phosphate isn't that high. But I'm planning on stopping water changes. Probably see what I can pick up during black Friday sales

Gfo in a mini reactor is nice because you can set it on a timer to only run a certain number of hours per day. If your numbers start creeping up, add 30 minutes. If you're getting to the low side of ok, reduce it. You also won't need much and bulk gfo isn't expensive.

Yeah probably just gonna get some bulk instead of the fancy kinds for ridiculous prices

 

[mdb_talon]

I am a big fan of lanthium chloride, but in your scenario it seems that gfo is probably the best option. Lanthium chloride works wonderfully and is very cheap, but is not something that generally you can just go on autopilot with otherwise you risk dropping P way too much and/or way too fast. GFO on the other hand seems to be good at slow reductions and keeping a low stable value without zeroing it out when used appropriately.

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

Should I go with the GFO method or should I consider a refugium

 

[mrlavalamp]

What is your ppm?

Use gfo to get to down, use the fuge to keep it down once under control.

The fuge is going to do a lot more to control nitrate than it will to control phosphate.

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

What is your ppm?

Use gfo to get to down, use the fuge to keep it down once under control.

The fuge is going to do a lot more to control nitrate than it will to control phosphate.

ppm is anywhere from .05-.4 or so. It's a little wacky. Every now and then I turn on the protein skimmer to get it back down but it hasn't been doing it efficiently when it gets super high and it removes too much nitrate out the water. I dont have a nitrate issue so I'll probably just use nopox or some kind of nitrate remover

 

[Schraufabagel]

I need a method of phosphate export on my 32 gallon biocube. I want to do Lanthanum Chloride, but I feel my tank is too small to keep it at a consistent level. I would prefer it be around the same number all the time and not dose every month or so just to drop it. I also would prefer not do GFO because of the cost but I feel like that is probably the best option. I have also considered a refugium but I think it would cost more money to change the back area for the cost and not be as effective. I'm open to doing any of these options or other ones. What do you think I should do?

GFO in a media bag is relatively cheap. Costed me $22 and holds my phosphates at around 0.05 ppm when combined with my refugium in my 25 gallon AIO

 

[Cory]

I have results as expected! But this time i got lucky ut seems im growing some sort of macroalgae. Working like a charm. 0ppm po4 from .54ppm. And no3 has dropped to 25ppm or so from 50 to 100ppm no3.

Use an ats. See the post of mine i quoted above. Oh ill post pics again

 

[Auquanut]

Lots of great advice here. In a biocube, I personally would use a small amount of GFO in a mesh bag in a high flow section of the back chamber and monitor regularly until you get a feel for how much and how often you need to use it. I would start slow, cause GFO can be too effective if you're not careful.

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

Lots of great advice here. In a biocube, I personally would use a small amount of GFO in a mesh bag in a high flow section of the back chamber and monitor regularly until you get a feel for how much and how often you need to use it. I would start slow, cause GFO can be too effective if you're not careful.

Is there even a need for a media reactor? I heard it’s I supposed to be more effective but if it’s not need and i can save $60 I’ll take it.

 

[mrlavalamp]

Is there even a need for a media reactor? I heard it’s I supposed to be more effective but if it’s not need and i can save $60 I’ll take it.

It is better in that it is the most efficient way to flow water through the media, but for a small quantity (and a smaller tank) it is overkill.

A media bag placed in a high flow area will work just fine.