What GFO do you use?

[living_tribunal]

Well, that’s why I will stick with the gfo route first. I had great success with macro algae before but all died out and can’t grow them now even with high phosphate. Then I had an algae bloom and wiped out most of the culerpas I had.

If you had a sufficient amount of nitrate and phosphates, like really did, you should have considered adding some iron. That’s all chaeto needs and if it doesn’t grow then one of those is missing.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

If you had a sufficient amount of nitrate and phosphates, like really did, you should have considered adding some iron. That’s all chaeto needs and if it doesn’t grow then one of those is missing.

Never heard of that, adding iron. That’s interesting.

 

[living_tribunal]

Never heard of that, adding iron. That’s interesting.

Chaeto consumes stupid amounts of it. Brightwell has a product, it’s helped a ton of people in the same position. Chaeto dying when nutrients are up ain’t fun :/

 

[living_tribunal]

Just before the hawks come out, yes, chaeto also consumes trace elements as well but that’s highly unlikely why your chaeto died.

That is all.

 

[330Bob]

I am planing ahead to run 50% or less strength on GFO with Carbon in a reactor.

it seems like this is pretty popular, if you have something better, please comment. Thanks

BRS Bulk GFO Granular Ferric Oxide

Why does BRS recommend this? Phosphates are going to be one of the biggest battles we have with a reef aquarium. The BRS GFO works great in filter socks and reactors. For the price Standard Granular GFO is going to be one of the best values when it comes to GFO for phosphate removal...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Old post but thought i would answer because since 2023 I'm running HC GFO and it got rid of most my hair algae in my 330gal Fowler. It also allowed Coraline algae to grow which is usually a good sign of water quality.

I use a Mighty Jet (8501) tiny pump 320 GPH + Aquamax FR-SE Media Reactor. I put a small 1/2" two little fishes ball valve on the output and just run the pump on full controlling with ball is easier than the LED push buttons.

I fill around 1/2 way (4 cups) with Bulk Reef high capacity GFO and change every 3 months.

It tumbles well and does not turn to powder in the reactor. Changing it is messy, and I run tap water through new media till the brown cloudy water turns clear, otherwise it goes in the tank sump and makes a mess.
I put the pump in a 5 gallon bucket fill it up put the exit line of the reactor in the sink and run a faucet hose into the buck while I wait for the new media brown water to clear. Then I put back into main tanks sump hanging on the side.

The little pump is very reliable but don't expect 320 gph from it. I just eyeball the output to the slowest flow that keeps the media tumbling. Doubt the pump could do two of them daisy chained and have decent flow.