Who doesn't use GFO?

[143MPCo]

So the question is, how many of you don't use it, but what I really like to know is why don't you?

 

[brandon429]

I have absolutely no need to know any parameter of my reef tank other than salt levels and temp, the only two support devices I own for a reef for 14 yrs. that and a good siphon half inch hose from home depot. my reef drawer has those three items and some shop towels and spare ballasts junk like that.

the reason why I dont ever need gfo or even care if I have elevated p04 is:

my tank is so small 100% changes do all the work

any algae that grows is simply killed, in perpetuum lol

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

I haven't used GFO since I started using Ecobak pellets. The reason is my phosphates are in the range i want them without running any.

 

[jackson6745]

I only use it when my po4 gets above .1
Why? because when I use GFO with already low po4 I get faded SPS colors and STN from the base.

 

[rayn]

I have in the past, but began carbon dosing and phased them out.

 

[Keithcorals]

I don't because I don't have a need for it I keep such low nutrients with my skimmer and refugium I actually have to dose phosphate to keep detectable levels

 

[ritter6788]

No GFO here. I keep mostly sps. I've used it in the past but it's more of a hassle than anything.

 

[EW_Fish]

No GFO, I have ran it in the past also like above stated more of an hassle then anything.

 

[143MPCo]

Could the reason for needing GFO come down to bad husbandry… Over feeding, needing to clean the skimmer cup more often, more organic (rot) breakdown not being removed, etc.?

 

[brandon429]

not always bad just different

if I had a larger tank and didnt want to export that much (too much work for raw water changes) or make room for more feed input i may use it

the oldest running two gallon reef you can find on the internet from any country posted is andrewk's two gallon from nano reef.com

he uses gfo to lessen water change needs

 

[chinchalice]

I don't use it and never have. My water perimeters are great. Instead of GFO i just use chemi pure elite and 20% water changes a week.

 

[143MPCo]

I don't use it and never have. My water perimeters are great. Instead of GFO i just use chemi pure elite and 20% water changes a week.

Right from their advertising:
"Chemi-Pure Elite adds ferric oxide to the original Chemi-Pure formula to also remove phosphates and silicates, making it the only complete choice for filtering any kind of aquarium."

 

[rainydave]

I don't use it as I haven't found a need for it in my tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Could the reason for needing GFO come down to bad husbandry… Over feeding, needing to clean the skimmer cup more often, more organic (rot) breakdown not being removed, etc.?

You need some way to export phosphate. There are a variety of ways and GFO is just one of them.

But using it doesn't mean the husbandry is bad any more than it means that if you use macroalgae growth, an ATS, or bacterial growth to deplete phosphate.

There is a lot of phosphate excreted directly from fish, and so skimming (which does not remove inorganic phosphate) is not especially effective when used alone.

 

[143MPCo]

You need some way to export phosphate. There are a variety of ways and GFO is just one of them.

But using it doesn't mean the husbandry is bad any more than it means that if you use macroalgae growth, an ATS, or bacterial growth to deplete phosphate.

There is a lot of phosphate excreted directly from fish, and so skimming (which does not remove inorganic phosphate) is not especially effective when used alone.

Thank you Randy...

I think a key takeaway, for me anyways, is that having ample beneficial bacterial growth, among other export means, diminishes ones need to run GFO.

 

[saltyphish]

Only thing I use is chemipure-elite and purigen with water changes and that is only until my ats takes hold. Gonna add some more red leds to it today, the only thing I can grow in it is a brown slime.

 

[Zippy]

No Gfo, only water changes and macro algae here. Mostly sps system, current is a 120 display bare bottom with a 40 breeder for macro and a 29 high for skimmer and sand.