Chaeto or GFO

[SaltwaterAdict]

Would like to know what you recommend for keeping phos levels down. I'm currently using chaeto, but was wondering if just gfo would do the job? I'm looking to try and simplify my setup.

 

[wizardx322]

i have run gfo and it works but i like roaphos better.
i've used chaeto before but unless you can get that guy to grow fast which mine didnt to suck up the nutrients i would say go gfo you know it will help keep the phos levels low.

if you have high phos i recoment using phosgaurd to lower the phosphates fast then run gfo.

 

[danil]

it would be very interesting if someone will be able to 'calculate' relative performance of GFO and Chaeto and come up with some numbers. From my personal observation GFO is more effective in much smaller footprint and doesn't require light source (energy)... in the same time Chaeto is more 'natural' way go but will require a lot of space (to be effective), light source, grooming on regular bases and It smells... not so great if you ask me .

 

[Treed]

Belive it or not Ive been running both for about 6 months along with carbon on my SPS tank and I get good growth out of the chaeto and the pos. levels are usally below .03. I think Im able to run both due to my large fish load in my 180 gallon.

 

[mattGgator]

I have both as well as caulerpa.

 

[Dave & Monica]

+1 "I have both as well as caulerpa"

 

[luisgo]

I have both. If you feed frequently and have a good light the chaeto will grow. Also it helps with nitrates, GFO just decreases phosphates. I also have biopellets. My nitrates are undetectable and phosphates are around .03 with the Hanna checker.

 

[oneradtek202]

just started running both, have a refug with caulerpa and other macros, its nice to have a natural area for pods to grow and stuff too. but ill see if i notice any difference with the gfo on there now too

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

Thanks, looks like running both is pretty popular and gfo being the most efficient.

Is it a good rule of tumb to add half the recommended amount of gfo when starting?

I heard people having issues when using too much.

 

[dzhuo]

Is it a good rule of tumb to add half the recommended amount of gfo when starting?

The general rule of thumb is:

start with 1 tablespoon per 4 gallons of water (16 tbsp = 1 cup). After 4-8 weeks the aquarium will have adjusted to lower nutrient levels and the amount of GFO can be increased up to 2 tablespoons per 4 gallons of water. For HC GFO start with 1 tablespoon per 8 gallons of water (16 tbsp = 1 cup). After 4-8 weeks the aquarium will have adjusted to the low nutrient level and the amount of GFO can be increased up to 2 tablespoons per 8 gallons of water. Change all three types of GFO when phosphate levels rise or algae growth becomes visible (4-8 weeks).

If you don't have a phosphate issue (in other word, you just want to maintain your current low level), I would even go lower than this recommendation.

I personally use only algae as it's easier, safer, cheaper, more interesting to look at, helps pH and less maintenance (I hate rinsing GFO)

 

[mcoomer]

Both! I have GFO and carbon reactors and chaeto growing in the center of my sump. I put a cheapy 13W PC over the sump and run that on a reverse daylight cycle.

Mike

 

[ptr13]

+1 for both,macroalgae consumes nitrates and GFO for PO4

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

The general rule of thumb is:



If you don't have a phosphate issue (in other word, you just want to maintain your current low level), I would even go lower than this recommendation.

I personally use only algae as it's easier, safer, cheaper, more interesting to look at, helps pH and less maintenance (I hate rinsing GFO)

Ummm...somebody's ATB is working!

 

[deeznutz1]

I'm running cheato, gfo, deep sand bed and bio pellets.
Cheato grows pretty slow and pruned every 3-4 months, 10 tea spoons of gfo changed every 2 monthish, and 200ml of bio pellets that have been running for 6 months without a decrease in volume.
I'm running a 150g sps DT with 100g sump. Med to high fish load and fairly heavy feedings.

-dan

 

[Ralph ATL]

Chaeto just holds detritus..GFO change every 10-14 days along with very rinsed carbon. Brs.

 

[chefzif]

I run both also and have 0 nitrates and phosphates!

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

thanks everyone for the help. Looks like some nice setups. It seems like running both works great.