DIY GFO / Carbon reactor?
- Thread starter Mrramsey
- Start date
Mrramsey
NEO Reefer
Yeah I hear ya. I have a lot of fittings etc already so I was hoping to throw something together. The hardest part is finding a clear container that would be appropriate to use. I have plenty of uniseals from previous projects.
Mrramsey
NEO Reefer
Tanks been up since late April. There are only corals in there. Phosphates test at 0 but someone suggested that that was because the algae is using it up. I use only RO/DI water. I do water changes every 2 weeks. Literally is not much in the tank.
Lighting is a Reefbreeder Photon 48 LED on a 12 hour sunrise sunset program pretty much 50/50 on ch1 and ch2 maxing at 30% intensity. I am open to suggestions. Currently doing a lights out for a couple of days.
Its not horrible but I just cant understand why it is happening in the first place. I am not feeding or supplementing anything. I have never had any measurable phosphates that I can detect.
Last edited:
mcgyvr
New member
Its 100% normal for a new tank to experience algae outbreaks.. The tank isn't even close to "mature" yet..
What type of algae (or bacteria)?
Hair/bubble/cyano/diatoms/dinos?
Nothing wrong with trying GFO either though.. I've used a Phosban 150 .. works great IMO.. The BRS one is typically fine too.
Some people just react too quickly to a small algae outbreak and it will more than likely go away on its own.
What type of algae (or bacteria)?
Hair/bubble/cyano/diatoms/dinos?
Nothing wrong with trying GFO either though.. I've used a Phosban 150 .. works great IMO.. The BRS one is typically fine too.
Some people just react too quickly to a small algae outbreak and it will more than likely go away on its own.
Mrramsey
NEO Reefer
Definitely not bacteria / cyano, more of a brown fuzzy / hair algae. Never had any major outbreaks of diatoms just a few small patches. On the left glass of the tank I get some brown fuzzy all over the glass. My main concern was one of my soft corals seemed mildly aggravated and not fully opening up like it had been before. The algae is the only noticeable change in the tank since. The parameters while not 'perfect' have been stable since I started the tank and all of the corals have been doing fine. There are also 2 GBTA that are doing very well. I feed them once a week and that is all I ad to the tank.
The skimmer is skimming well (about a cup a week)I also mechanically filter the return. GFO was suggested so I was kicking around the idea.
billdogg
Well-known member
I agree that your PO4 is reading low because the algae is using it up. I also agree that it's just easier to get a reactor like the BRS because it is so easy to set up, use, and do change-outs of media. You'll have to get some GFO anyway, might as well get both from the same place!
In the meantime, manual removal can help to keep it in check.
In the meantime, manual removal can help to keep it in check.
Mrramsey
NEO Reefer
OK just updating this thread. So after 3 days of no light its a little better. I upped my circulation a bit as well.
What I do not understand it where the phosphates are coming from. I use only rodi water. I never had phosphate during the cycle and there are no fish to feed. I will probably add gfo just because but would like to better understand the why.
What I do not understand it where the phosphates are coming from. I use only rodi water. I never had phosphate during the cycle and there are no fish to feed. I will probably add gfo just because but would like to better understand the why.
billdogg
Well-known member
It is not uncommon for PO4 to leach from the rocks, especially in a newish tank. I generally run a bit of GFO all the time. I change it out when I start to notice excessive algae growth. Remember, however, that the goal of GFO is not to eliminate ALL PO4. All living creatures need at least some for normal biological processes.
