GFO in canister ?

[Daniel Doherty]

Hey, I run my 60 gallon cube off an oase 350 canister filter. It works great, except for phosphates. Everything else is perfect (pH, Alk, Nitrate etc) but phosphates are through the roof, which is leading to a lot of hair algae. I’m currently awaiting a Venturi to arrive for my DIY HOB skimmer, but it’s going to take 3 weeks to arrive, so I went ahead and ordered some gfo in the mean time. I chose Marin Fauna phos 0.04, as it won’t bottom out my phosphates completely, and a hobbyist I’m friends with recommended it. I’m just wondering should I put it in a mesh bag in my canister or just leave it hanging in the tank behind a rock. Thanks!

 

[threebuoys]

The GFO will be much more effective if you have water flowing through it constantly, rather than just hanging a bag in the tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

. I chose Marin Fauna phos 0.04, as it won’t bottom out my phosphates completely,

Unfortunately, I think it is unlikely this product will have the effect you are hoping it does based on the advertising claims.

While it would be possible to make such a product, by preabsorbing phosphate to 0.04 ppm in seawater, then drying it back out, I doubt they do what is necessary, and it would have far less capacity for additional phosphate to bind relative to regular new GFO.

 

[Snoopy 67]

GFO, UNLESS IT TUMBLES, will turn to a rock.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

GFO, UNLESS IT TUMBLES, will turn to a rock.

I mixed it with GAC and didn’t have that issue. :)

 

[Daniel Doherty]

I mixed it with GAC and didn’t have that issue. :)

What If I were to spread it thinly in mesh bag over biological media in canister? Or actually mix it with ceramic media in the canister ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What If I were to spread it thinly in mesh bag over biological media in canister? Or actually mix it with ceramic media in the canister ?

Mixing it with anything that has a larger particle size will likely allow better water flow through the mix and less chance to harden.