Should I start running GFO or biopellets?

[Jblaine]

I have an aquarium that has been running for almost 6 months. I’m starting to seen some algae on the rocks. I was wondering if I should start running biopellets or GFO? My nitrates and phosphates are below.

Nitrates 22.8ppm
Phosphates .50 ppm

Currently, I do not have a refugium.

Thanks

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I would run some gfo and get that phosphate down

 

[allof fish]

Personally I would run some gfo and get that phosphate down

I agree but also how big is tank, how many fish how much you feed ect. That can also dictate what the issues could be. Did you go thru any ugly stages and use dry rock?

 

[Jblaine]

Personally I would run some gfo and get that phosphate down

I agree but also how big is tank, how many fish how much you feed ect. That can also dictate what the issues could be. Did you go thru any ugly stages and use dry rock?

I have 8 fish in the tank. It is a 100 gallon innovative marine tank and sump. After dry rock and live sand, I would estimate the water volume to be 100 gallons total. For the most part, the tank has be clear with some diatoms but that is about it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In terms of algae, a bigger clean up crew is a better bet than trying to beat it by reducing nutrients, which often fails to solve the issue before rising starving corals.

 

[reefshieldaquatics]

Whatever you decide to do, I would take things slow and steady. I suspect sudden phosphate / nitrate reduction gives people more issues than the nutrients themselves.

 

[carri10]

In terms of algae, a bigger clean up crew is a better bet than trying to beat it by reducing nutrients, which often fails to solve the issue before rising starving corals.

This.

Algae is best controlled by grazing. Controlling via nutrients is a lot harder as many of the reef systems interact with nutrients in ways that mean algae control via nutrients will cause other problems.

Herbivores are the answer.

 

[BryanM]

I'd also start with GFO. If its anything like my tank though, it will take quite a while.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Whatever you decide to do, I would take things slow and steady. I suspect sudden phosphate / nitrate reduction gives people more issues than the nutrients themselves.

I agree.