Phosgaurd or GFO

True... for SPS and clams, you'll want to avoid nutrient spikes and will need a low-range kit to do so.

 

Target feeding has done wonders for my coral growth, mainly LPS. I didn't target feed for a month to see if I was just wasting money and wow, what a difference. Now I target feed with all kinds of foods including my own mix of fresh squid, mussel, clams, shrimp, zooplankton and selcon. The whole tank goes nuts when I feed that mix.

 

ok cool!

 

The same for me. Target feeding has done wonders for my corals. We have a local guy who markets his own frozen blend similar to Rod's food and is a big supporter of the local community, so I go with that. Plus his food is really good IMO. Then I'll mix in some reef chili or some pellets. Plus target feeding corals is probably my favorite thing to do. It's so cool to see them take the food and suck it in.

 

oh, and I should probably bring back on topic. I've not used phosgaurd, but I have used GFO. The last time I used GFO, I had it on for about 3 weeks and once I took it offline, my tank looked better than ever. I however don't run it all the time. This is probably the second time in a year I've run GFO. I might bump it up to once a quarter for a month at a time and see how the tank does.
I also don't use very much, half the recommended dose, like AZ was saying.

 

We just started using GFO and our tank looks fantastic. We had a frag of cyphastrea that was completely browned out (we thought it dead) but just for kicks I left it where it was. A couple of weeks later it is better than it was when we bought it. Very bright green. I agree that the reactor makes all the difference (can't remember who said that). We used to run phosguard in a media bag, and while it helped I don't think it was as effective.
Eventually I would also like to use biopellets. I have heard of others using both with great effect. We started with GFO first because it is more widely used and has a better track record. I think that so long as you do your research they can be very beneficial to your tank.

we use the hanna checker. I'm not sure if its 100% spot on but as was mentioned before, testing and observing your corals is the way we do it as well. even if its not 100% correct it gives me a starting point so I know if its going up or down.

 

Also.. I have the Big hannah low range kit. I bought it 6-7 years ago when the newer hanna checker was not available. I'm not sure but I think the new hannah checker is basically the same thing just smaller. Not sure about the new style big hannah checker. Mine is the old version.

 

I have lots of healthy sps- big colonies/healthy.

I rarely ever test for Phos. I have an API- always reads 0. Same for nitrates. If things look good, why test for it?
I do test for Ca, Mg, Alk- every 3 -4 weeks.

I've never ever used GFO.

I only use Phosguard, and rarely change or add it. So in other words-it's currently doing nothing, or very little.

I feel I rely almost solely on my massive chaeto mass.

I'm not going to bore you with pictures.

As far as the original question of the OP- both can have adventages and disadvantages obviously.

 

I started running phosgaurd last night in my reactor. I've used it before and never had issues so I'll stick with it. I tried running biopellets but after 3 days of corals being pissed I took it offline. This thread turned into a lot of great information, keep it coming.

 

2 days ago, I replenished my PHosGuard in my Media Bag, and also my media bag of GAC.

This seems to slightly cut down on nuisance growth, my CC bed looks a bit cleaner, etc.

This was not to combat any type of cyano/algae problems- moreso to keep things in check.

All of my coral are still happy after the changes.

If/when using phosguard, you definitely want to rinse the dust out- like the labe says, use tap water, before using it.