When to hook up the GFO reactor to reduce PO4

ryshark

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At what point do you think it’s time to get the GFO reactor online? I don’t think I’m quite to that point yet but here are my numbers. Nitrate about 5 and alk 8.5 - 9.

8/25 my PO4 was 0.14 so I did a 20% water change and cut my feeding in half

9/5 my PO4 was 0.17 so I Increased my skimmer to skim a little wetter.

Before August 25th, I went a long time without testing PO4, it was on 6/4 and was 0.05.

I don’t think I’m in the red zone yet, but I need slow the upward trend.
 

Aere

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You can always just turn it on and monitor it and see how fast it drops it. Or start with a small amount. You don't need to fill the reactor and go ham right away. Its what I did. Till I found my tanks happy point with the proper amount of gfo and refugium maintenance.
 

blasterman

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Got algae problems? No? Thats the wild card here. I don't like the upward trend and it can lead to algae issues, but you don't want to dive to fast either. Montipora and especially birdsnests dont like phosphate dives.
 
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ryshark

ryshark

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I do have a reactor in the garage and I have media too, I would definitely start slow if I decide to hook it up.
I don’t have any algae problems, don’t have any montipora or birdsnest, don’t have a fuge either. My only export is skimmer and water changes I try to do 20% every 4-5 weeks. But I’m not so sure 0.17 is a reason to start GFO just yet.
 

Charlie’s Frags

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I do have a reactor in the garage and I have media too, I would definitely start slow if I decide to hook it up.
I don’t have any algae problems, don’t have any montipora or birdsnest, don’t have a fuge either. My only export is skimmer and water changes I try to do 20% every 4-5 weeks. But I’m not so sure 0.17 is a reason to start GFO just yet.
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Fishingandreefing

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I got fed up with GFO. It kept clogging the foam filters and I know some was escaping into my reef. My phos. was at .26 so now I am trying PhosGuard.
Cheers! Mark
Mixing it with carbon then pour them in stockings. Tight it up like a bag and put it in the reactor or media cup.
 

Fishingandreefing

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One thing I have learned is that you never use 100% recommended dose of gfo not even at 50%. I am currently only using 15%. It stripped my corals. I am still fight phosphate at around .29
 

Graffiti Spot

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Mixing it with carbon then pour them in stockings. Tight it up like a bag and put it in the reactor or media cup.

I like doing this if I am scared of dropping po4 too fast. It really helps slow the po4 absorption so you can do it slowly. Sometimes I will just hang it in the sump but I have to shake the bags daily to keep the media from clumping too much for it to work.
 

Fishingandreefing

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I mostly only keep Tenuis which are slow growers. Some grow crazy fast and some grow crazy slow. Not worth the risk of killing any of them chasing “Ideal” no3/po4 by over stripping the water.
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That’s crazy growth! Wonder what’s your po4 and dosing
 

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