Media canister and GFO

[Nordy]

Hello,
Never used GFO, but I started a small 4 inch wide by 12 inch tall bash Sea canister with some 3 days ago. I have my pump feeding from the overflow feed of sump into the canister with flexible pvc and I put the return tubing back in my sump close to the protein skimmer before a bubble trap, second to last compartment before the area of my sump ends with my return pump. Instead of using RODI water to rinse it, I pumped 3 gallons through my sump into a bucket for rinsing purposes, just prior to a water change. I did a little extra rinse after water change after overfilling with new saltwater. It is tumbling very lightly, upper area seems solid, dosed about a cup of it.
Day 2 and 3 I came home with a brown film on glass. Is this normal? I use ocean magic, just started a new UV sterilizer, so I was a little dismayed at what I noticed visually. Tomorrow I’ll run parameter tests.
Just curious to what may be going on, lots of other details I could add like my abundant phytoplankton use, but was curious if I messed this up from the get go.
Thanks

 

[pwoody]

Have you done any tests? Check everything is where it should be and importantly ensure the values are stable.
If everything looks ok there I would hazard a guess and suggest that this ‘film’ is in fact residue from the media. It could be not washed adequately, you used too much, or agitating too much, or a combination of those.
Clean it all off and wait a few days to see if it comes back.
If it does perhaps consider looking up the exact amount you need to use, and tumble it ‘properly’.
It’s a tricky one because it sounds like you are doing everything right.

 

[pwoody]

Had a quick check on the forum and noticed another thread identical.
Seems one member suggested it could be dinos given his experience and test method (microscope).
Could try removing the GFO and seeing if it goes away after a week or so. If it down then consider an alternative the running GFO.
R2r discussion on same topic

 

[Nordy]

Had a quick check on the forum and noticed another thread identical.
Seems one member suggested it could be dinos given his experience and test method (microscope).
Could try removing the GFO and seeing if it goes away after a week or so. If it down then consider an alternative the running GFO.
R2r discussion on same topic

Alright thank you for the replies. Read how Dino’s can prevail if phosphate was reduced to much. I’ll get my tests done soon.

 

[Freenow54]

Hello,
Never used GFO, but I started a small 4 inch wide by 12 inch tall bash Sea canister with some 3 days ago. I have my pump feeding from the overflow feed of sump into the canister with flexible pvc and I put the return tubing back in my sump close to the protein skimmer before a bubble trap, second to last compartment before the area of my sump ends with my return pump. Instead of using RODI water to rinse it, I pumped 3 gallons through my sump into a bucket for rinsing purposes, just prior to a water change. I did a little extra rinse after water change after overfilling with new saltwater. It is tumbling very lightly, upper area seems solid, dosed about a cup of it.
Day 2 and 3 I came home with a brown film on glass. Is this normal? I use ocean magic, just started a new UV sterilizer, so I was a little dismayed at what I noticed visually. Tomorrow I’ll run parameter tests.
Just curious to what may be going on, lots of other details I could add like my abundant phytoplankton use, but was curious if I messed this up from the get go.
Thanks

First you may have a problem with the install if it is gravity fed. Second I assume you have media in it and you did not say what you dosed with to me that is the problem I always do things one at a time then if something bad happens I'm not spinning in circles

 

[Freenow54]

I use a fluval with about five different types of media on my 40. Works excellent have not had to clean glass in months coral thriving water ultra clear and Coralie algae taking off. Going to put one on my 150 system

 

[pwoody]

I agree with only changing one thing at a time. Too many times I’ve changed several things and end up going in circles trying to correct and figure out what caused the new issue :D