Is GFO harming my soft corals?

[ReefKeeper666]

Hi all I’m running a 13.5 gallon nano. It’s 7 months old now. Things are mostly good with the tank. I’m content with the 2 fish I have in the tank, along with some clean up crew. Tank is mostly softies and a few LPS and encrusters. I’m pretty content with the corals I have but was considering 1/2 Scolys for the finishing touch.
I’ve had some green algae on my sand bed as well. I bought a better pump and that didn’t seem to do much. The own of my LFS suggested that if I wanted to do the Scolys I should really have my phosphates around .01. He then recommended that GFO would help reduce my phosphates and combat the green algae.
I did a water change Saturday morning and then added the GFO to my back filter in a media sock.
The recommended amount to use is 1ML per gallon. Seeing as I have rocks in the tank I used 10ML for about 10 gallons. It’s now Wednesday my phosphates haven’t lowered at all still at .25 and I’m noticing my softies, esp mushrooms and GSP don’t seem as open and happy since Tuesday. Is the GFO causing this? Am I better without it? Should I use less? How long to see reduction in phosphates?

My levels are (15 mins ago):
PH 8.15
Nitrate: 25
ALk: 8.0
Call: 420
Mag:1260
Phos:0.25
Salinity: 1.025
Temp: 78

I’m using Brightwell Aquatics phosphate absorption resin.

 

[steveschuerger]

Those parameters are actually pretty good. I accidentally had phosphate over 1 and had happy lps(though I did reduce it slowly). Don’t try to chase numbers too much is my advice. I would raise the mag a bit but like I said it’s not bad.

 

[ReefKeeper666]

Those parameters are actually pretty good. I accidentally had phosphate over 1 and had happy lps(though I did reduce it slowly). Don’t try to chase numbers too much is my advice. I would raise the mag a bit but like I said it’s not bad.

Mag will prob come up with water change on Saturday morning I’m sure.
Should I just pull out the GFO?

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

In a tank that small I would ditch the GFO and stick to routine water changes to control your nutrients in addition to replenishing trace elements.

 

[steveschuerger]

Mag will prob come up with water change on Saturday morning I’m sure.
Should I just pull out the GFO?

It’s not hurting anything and I run gfo myself. Just leave it. It’ll last about a month or a little less

 

[ReefKeeper666]

In a tank that small I would ditch the GFO and stick to routine water changes to control your nutrients in addition to replenishing trace elements.

What would help reduce the algae I’m seeing on the sanded?

 

[ReefKeeper666]

It’s not hurting anything and I run gfo myself. Just leave it. It’ll last about a month or a little less

Do you think it’s upsetting my soft corals tho?

 

[steveschuerger]

What would help reduce the algae I’m seeing on the sanded?

Pics? Maybe some manual removal…?

 

[steveschuerger]

Do you think it’s upsetting my soft corals tho?

I had a couple toadstool leathers at one point. Never seemed bothered by it.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Which test kit are you using for .25 phosphate? not API i hope

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

What would help reduce the algae I’m seeing on the sanded?

Good flow and vacuuming it out during water changes. Your tank is still young and in time as your tank matures the algae should lessen.

 

[ReefKeeper666]

Which test kit are you using for .25 phosphate? not API i hope

Salifert for all tests.

 

[ReefKeeper666]

Pics? Maybe some manual removal…?

Yeah I do that during water changes/ when you guys say vacuum it, you mean just get one of those lil gravel vacs?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Phosphate at 0.01 ppm would be a mistake, IMO.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randy’s-thoughts-on-nutrient-target-ranges.1087/

 

[ReefKeeper666]

Phosphate at 0.01 ppm would be a mistake, IMO.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randy’s-thoughts-on-nutrient-target-ranges.1087/

Ok, because of how small the tank is?
Should I remove the GFO?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, because of how small the tank is?
Should I remove the GFO?

Because that target is too low, IMO.

 

[CHSUB]

The own of my LFS suggested that if I wanted to do the Scolys I should really have my phosphates around .01

I’m willing to bet, you misunderstood your LFS and the recommendation was .1? Personally I don’t believe .01 is necessarily bad, but I find it hard to believe that is a target level.

 

[ReefKeeper666]

I’m willing to bet, you misunderstood your LFS and the recommendation was .1? Personally I don’t believe .01 is necessarily bad, but I find it hard to believe that is a target level.

Very well could be. Any advice on how to get down from .25 to .1 ?

 

[ReefKeeper666]

Because that target is too low, IMO.

Alright. Others feel the same and that probably the suggestion is .1
Any advice how to get there? Also is the gfo doing more harm than good?

 

[CHSUB]

Very well could be. Any advice on how to get down from .25 to .1 ?

GFO will work, might take a little time. Additionally a WC with detritus removal and a good cleaning will remove stuff that will contribute to future inorganic nutrients. I’ve used GFO with no adverse effects on corals.