GFO and or carbon.

[Mark Bianco]

Currently I have a 75gl display tank with 90lbs live rock, 60lbs of crushed coral and 100gl sump with 125lbs live rock in the basement and I use a 240EV skimmer. I also make my own RO/DI water. Everything does well. I will be upgrading to a new tank either 150 or a 210. I understand the general concept of GFO (at least what they say on Bulk Reef Supply) Will I bennifit from a GFO reactor? Am I correct in thinking that 200 plus pounds of live rock will be enough to eliminate phosphates. Maybe I am totaly wrong and live rock does not eliminate phosphates.

Any insite will be appriciated.

Mark

 

[swcc]

rocks will not eliminate phosphate. the calcium carbonate has the ability to bind phosphate, but, then the bacteria that are colonized there on the rocks use this phosphate and over time, with feeding livestock, phosphate levels rise as it is not a limiting nutrient and in overabundance. It really is best to run a good skimmer as well as possibly gfo in a reactor(if needed) to keep phosphate levels down. What I would do with the larger tank is choose a strong skimmer, tailor the sump flow and sump for that skimmer...then after the tank is set up, properly cycled and mature, look at reactors and gfo if needed once the tank is mature.

Oh, the crushed coral also can bind phosphate as well. it is a great substrate to utilize to allow for a clean bottom. It is easily siphoned of detritus(important to do as it can trap a lot of detritus if not maintained, but, so will any substrate)..over time(maybe 2-3 times a year) some should be removed and replaced with fresh crushed coral. Just an extra preventative measure to help keep phosphate under control.

 

[bertoni]

Well, there are a lot of factors involved. The live rock can support the growth of animals, which can result in phosphate export. So your tank might be fine without GFO. I'd probably just check the phosphate level now and then, and invest in a reactor if needed.

 

[jackers]

I've had great luck with the Bulkreefsupply dual reactor. I run their GFO in the first cylinder and their ROX carbon in the second and honestly couldn't be happier.

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

If i were you i would run separate reactors. I just split my brs dual. Spectrapure make a good dual reactor that you can control the flow on both sides.

 

[Jopalmighty]

I run tlf gfo reactor and gac in the sump. My corals are thriving however when I initially added the gfo my corals closed up for a day or two even though I am starting off very slow.

 

[jg93]

I've had great luck with the Bulkreefsupply dual reactor. I run their GFO in the first cylinder and their ROX carbon in the second and honestly couldn't be happier.

Same here. It's a bit of a headache to change every month though, just FYI. My tanks is sparkling clean though, just a brush of algae on the glass every now and again. Coraline is still growing, but zero nuisance algae. I'll even get hair algae on frag plugs from time to time. After my hermits eat it, it has never grown back.

 

[jg93]

Oh, and FWIW, GFO is pricey. Look at all the factors before you take the plunge. If you don't need it, you may not want to go this route. Every consider bioballs?

 

[daplatapus]

Since you have a basement sump, if you have the room, check out algae turf scrubbers. I've got almost the exact system you have (with a 210 sitting in my basement getting resealed) and I've heard great things about turf scrubbers using up available phosphates and nitrates.

 

[Mekanic]

I run GFO and carbon in separate TLF reactors.

As was stated, GFO can get pricy fast. If you have the room an algae turf scrubber is a damn fine piece of equipment, I have a friend running one on his 90, and one on his 230, no po4 issues or no3 issues at all.