How often to replace GFO?

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you Randy!

I just ordered 2 tests from them. I'd never have made the Oceamo/Moonshiners connection without you!

Bob

lol

Not me, but it was a good answer. lol

 

[Saltyanimals]

The higher phosphate is, and the faster water is passed through the GFO, the faster it depletes.

It could be depleted, but you can verify by measuring phosphate in the effluent from it to see if it is lower than the tank or not.

What corals are struggling?

Interesting call out with the flow and GFO depletion. Logically it makes sense since you're cycling more water through it, but I'm curious as to flow. For example, many folks recommend the Sicce 1.5 which is 357 GHP. I use the tried and true MJ1200 that I have laying around which is slightly less at 290 GHP. However I noticed my reactor doesn't last as long. Yes it depends on how much PO4 is in the water and used, up, but your comments suggest maybe I need to up my GPH through it to milk every last bit out of the PO4 blasting power to prolong GFO refill time. This may also help power through clogging issues with a GFO/GAC mix.

 

[lesismore]

Some believe that too much phosphate inhibits growth and dulls colours in some Stoney corals.

From the pics I see posted, doesn’t seem to ring true.

What exactly “too much” is IDK, but, I’m currently reducing my phosphate from 0.25ppm ( 2 years) to 0.05, so over the next 6 months, we see if there’s any difference running at that level and my Nitrate from 15ppm to 2ppm.

Hello. I’d enjoy hearing how your progress unfolded with the reductions to nitrate and phosphate.

 

[Uncle99]

Hello. I’d enjoy hearing how your progress unfolded with the reductions to nitrate and phosphate.

Hi.
I was able to put a big dent in both nutrient levels by adding a lit refuge with macro algae.

It took about two months to reduce nitrates to 2-3ppm and phosphate, the best I can do was .1ppm.

After 6 months running those new lower levels, I can see no difference in growth but some sticks seemed to colour up, not different, but maybe brighter. Reds definitely (digi) where brighter.

Not a huge difference overall.

 

[lesismore]

Hello. I’d enjoy hearing how your progress unfolded with the reductions to nitrate and phosphate.

Hi.
I was able to put a big dent in both nutrient levels by adding a lit refuge with macro algae.

It took about two months to reduce nitrates to 2-3ppm and phosphate, the best I can do was .1ppm.

After 6 months running those new lower levels, I can see no difference in growth but some sticks seemed to colour up, not different, but maybe brighter.

Not a huge difference.

That’s very interesting to hear. My nitrate was hovering around 11 and my phosphate rose to around .25. I’ve been dosing phytoplankton for the last 2 weeks at some substantial amounts and I’m using gfo in a reactor.

I’ve been able to get the phosphate down to .07-.08. It seems to come down a bit and then go up within 3 days or so after adding fresh gfo. I think some phosphate is being reduced and then leaching out of rock and sand so I will try to stay patient, go slow and see how it goes. I have been dealing with some very unsightly diatoms on the sand and glass. Thanks a lot for checking back!