Gfo use???

I've got a question for anyone that has experienced ongoing algae problems after a cycle on a new tank (5 months). Has anyone ever tried using GFO for this at this specific time?

 

i wouldnt interrupt the process, as far as that goes Ive done wcs at the end of a cycle, ive got this thing with taking it slow and not getting in the way of the natural tank cycle, as all the tanks i set up I dnt allow my ppl to add anything until like month 2, yes its over kill but it speaks volumes down the road in the tanks life span imo

 

I'm using GFO, for the past two months. At the time I started, my tank was just about 5 months old.

The GFO pretty much just keeps it from growing as quickly. I still have it grow (bryopsis, film and cyano, with a small amount of coralline on the glass). I just don't have to go in as often to get it out.

I think half (or more) of my problems are coming from a dirty sandbed. I have no nassarius snails anymore. One of those crazynasty giant flatworms is running around in my tank. So nothing is really keeping it clean too well. The bristleworms are OK, but not cutting it. The majority of my algae grows on or near the sandbed. So, as always, YMMV, and is probably better than mine.

 

Are you using ro/di water?

 

Yeah, I was thinking of just that...enough to keep me from having to pull algae everyday. Thanks raven.

 

Yup, DI. This is at 5 months after the initial cycle.

 

If you are going to use GFO do it in a reactor. Much more effective than just putting it in a mesh bag. BRS sells a reactor for about $40.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...rbon-reactors/brs-gfo-and-carbon-reactor.html

 

Thanks reeron, gotta reactor. Only used it on my first tank years ago. That was after the tank was kinda getting "old tank syndrome" even though the tank was only 2 yrs old ;D

I really don't wanna go "full force" at this point seeing the tank is not even a yr old. I'm gonna try a half dose in one of my girls nylons (already stold a pair) and drop it in the sock filter & go from there. I agree, the GFO BRS sells is primo stuff.

Thanks again.

 

Sorry if I'm misreading something, because I'm really tired. However, you don't really "dose" GFO, so there's no way to go "full force". It simply binds phosphate in the water to the GFO granules. It doesn't dissolve in the water or anything. If it is good quality GFO, it also won't release the PO back into the water.

Using half the amount of GFO recommended just means that you will have to change it more often because whatever you put in the filter sock will become saturated with PO faster than if you had added more GFO.

 

I fully understand your points Toronto Guy
corals can and have reacted badly to a sudden introduction of to much GFO media
I have used Aquamedic brand, Tropic Marin brand and later when I moved over to Rowa I became aware of a new set of instructions, that informed me, upon 1st introducing this media to your system, gradually build up to the required qty

IMO - the biggest drawback with GFO is that you cant know when its exhausted ( if it was like purigen or a PolyfilterTM it would be fantastic IMO)
using less than the stated dose and changing more frequently has proven an effective way for me of combating minor algae issues

this is even more applicable if your using in a sock or mesh bag in a cannister IMHO

My experience with a simple case of dark green/ black turf algae recently

started using Rowa as per instructions - for 2 weeks I could see signs of the algae fading, then that stopped, then that reversed

so I dropped to half amounts , and changed every other week
its fading, and continuing to fade - if I keep this up, ( and manage my nutrient import and export properly ) it will go completely IMHO

Steve