guitar8222
New member
I am going to agree that you are running too much gfo. Two reactors on a 75 gallon is too much. I ran one tlf on 200 gallon system. You should first run less and change it as it exhausts.
Bet you can't figure this out.
- Thread starter neoalchemist74
- Start date
jdieck
New member
Unfortunately you don't. Besides the potential accumulation of nutrients, hydrogen sulfide is also a concern with plenums and deep sand beds.
There are two potentially indicator signs. Low ORP and potentially low PH, also look for black patches and a slight smell like rotten egs (Typical smell of old skimmate).
Here is more info on that that might help.
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1220728&highlight=sulfide
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php#13
Cultivatedcoral
New member
Could be a K+ overdose. I would not dose potassium with out a test kit. Zeovit makes the only one I know of.
Your p04 is fine but I would like to know what kit you are using or probe.
If it's not a K+ OD it could be a toxic sandbed like jdieck said. We just removed a toxic sandbed in one of our systems. I will never use sand again. Not worth the headaches down the road with built up poison pockets.
Your p04 is fine but I would like to know what kit you are using or probe.
If it's not a K+ OD it could be a toxic sandbed like jdieck said. We just removed a toxic sandbed in one of our systems. I will never use sand again. Not worth the headaches down the road with built up poison pockets.
neoalchemist74
New member
I am only running two GFO reactors alternating beetween the two. Currantly I am running both because one of my feed pumps went and I didn't notice it right away and had my first measureable level of po4. In either case I will be turnig off the second reactor this week.
I dont see much clumping in my sand bed and do stir up the first few inches in all the places i can reach every couple of monthes and have never encountered any odour or blackened areas. Typically my PH has a tendancy to run high. But in hind sight I would not plan another system with any type of DSB in a display.
I dont see much clumping in my sand bed and do stir up the first few inches in all the places i can reach every couple of monthes and have never encountered any odour or blackened areas. Typically my PH has a tendancy to run high. But in hind sight I would not plan another system with any type of DSB in a display.
neoalchemist74
New member
Right now, salifert. next week, hanna photometer.
Have you ever seen the effects of a K+ od. What does it look like.
mutateddogbone
New member
stop running GFO and dont dose anything you dont have a test kit for and let it run to see if things start changing
neoalchemist74
New member
Not sure I like the sound of that. My po4 will likely go up pretty quick.In addition theres a few that have already suggested that my small po4 spike earlier, even though barely measurable may have at least contributed to the problem, but I'll definatly keep it in mind. Maybe after I get my new phos checker and I can monitor po4 more closely I'll try it.
mutateddogbone
New member
if you have to constantly run GFO and have a fuge with growing macro then you have a SERIOUS import of PO4 into your system and need to figure out where thats coming from. if you are growing macro then that will absorb all the PO4. when you stop using GFO you will probably see a growth explosion in your macro. most ppl have to trim theirs back every month for nutrient export. ive seen some ppl run too much GFO and brown out their corals from lack of nutrients. some nutrients are good just not in excess
neoalchemist74
New member
my calcium reactor alone puts out enough po4 to run gfo.
I'm really starting to lean torward the potassium od. I have sorals that are not supposed to be blue showing blue tips.
I'm really starting to lean torward the potassium od. I have sorals that are not supposed to be blue showing blue tips.
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mutateddogbone
New member
just run your ca reactor effluent through gfo and not your whole system, that should cut back on your GFO use and any chance of PO4 making it into your system from your reactor. but browning is caused by nutrient overload/shortage and burnt tips is very common for GFO users
neoalchemist74
New member
Ok, I'll try it (reluctantly) but nut until I have my photometer in hand. I don't trust chem tests too much even good ones when it comes to low levels like po4.
I still think its a potassium od though.
I still think its a potassium od though.
airwaybill
meat popsicle
I also would let things "settle". GFO also has some effects on ph. So, you may be causing some ill effects with that. I don't think running without it will cause your po4 to go up that quickly. The fuge should take up most if not all of it.
Potassium is a tricky one. I'd also stop that.
Try to monitor the "important" parameters. Calcium, Alk, Ph, PO4, Mag and Nitrate. Keep those in check and go from there. Then start adding the nonessentials.
Potassium is a tricky one. I'd also stop that.
Try to monitor the "important" parameters. Calcium, Alk, Ph, PO4, Mag and Nitrate. Keep those in check and go from there. Then start adding the nonessentials.
neoalchemist74
New member
All my water levels are typically spot on and stable for years w/weekly tests
and w/corals dying and polluting my water I will definately see a po4 spike.also this tank has been running GFO for years with nothing but great results!
airwaybill
meat popsicle
All my water levels are typically spot on and stable for years w/weekly tests
While that all may be true, something is definately wrong now. Sometimes going back to the basics will help you find the answer. I'd fill the reactors with some carbon also. If there is any pathogen that is causing this, that may keep it from doing further damage.
neoalchemist74
New member
What ever is going on, carbon doesn't seem to be helping. As soon as I saw signs I started running my emergency cannister filter loaded with carbon. that was about a month ago and I've regharged it once already,full it holds about 1lb which is alot for a 75. This has to be either a pathogen or an overdose. These corals arent starving something is killing them. I'm going to hook up the UV sterilizer which is yhe the only thing I hav'nt done yet that I did last time.
mutateddogbone
New member
the process of corals dying is hard to reverse. IMO i would just stop dosing everything and leave the tank alone and dont play with extra equipment and supplements and let nature take its course
neoalchemist74
New member
In little glass boxes the only course nature can take without at least some help is into the ground.
airwaybill
meat popsicle
:rolleye1:Okey Dokey! Guess you've answered your own questions then.
Hope it works out. Good Luck!:thumbsup:
Hope it works out. Good Luck!:thumbsup:
Not sure if you ever figured this out or not. One thing you do that raises my eyebrows though is the fact that you "stirring" a plenum. DSB's and plenum's are not meant to be stirred up. By stirring them up you have the potential to release a ton of hydrogen sulfide, that otherwise would have been kept in the bed. Not sure if this was the issue or not, and there really is no way to prove it, but more just an "fyi" than anything. Keep the bed lively with critters, don't stir it. HTH!
neoalchemist74
New member
I try to make sure not to disturb more than the first 1 to 1 1/2 inches and also break up any large clumps
