gfo & carbon reactor questions

[dieseldaisy]

can anyone tell me if adding a gfo & carbon reactor to my tank will cause any harm to fish or corals?

 

[jfl14609]

No most people do it. I do recommend using a small amount at first. the gfo i have heard can cause problems if too much is used at one time

 

[dieseldaisy]

thanks I'll keep that in mind.i heard rumors also and that is why I am asking everyone!

 

[Jstn]

Too much carbon has the potential to remove trace elements when used in excess, Follow the recommended guide lines (check bulk reef).

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I have never had any issues.

 

[dieseldaisy]

will gfo effect coraline algae growth?

 

[Eastamherstbias]

No, I still have to remove it from the glass weekly.

 

[dieseldaisy]

I want to remove nuisance algae an not coraline algae. hope gfo doesn't affect this

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I want to remove nuisance algae an not coraline algae. hope gfo doesn't affect this

gfo can actually PROMOTE coralline growth but make sure to monitor alkalinity. GFO can cause dKH to drop.

Tip: if you are dosing phyto and you have a nuisance algae problem stop dosing it!

 

[low riderr]

be shure to rinse your media well, carbon dust can be harmfull to fish.some believe it can lead to lateral line disease.better to be safe than sorry.

 

[dieseldaisy]

thanks gary, low rider!

 

[dieseldaisy]

and everyone!

 

[pascal32]

start really low and build up, especially carbon. There is a large group of people who believe rox .8 from BRS should be used at lower than BRS calculator amount.

 

[dieseldaisy]

you guys are getting me nervous now!

 

[dieseldaisy]

what about the gfo. How do I know how much I use then?I want to use enough to make it affective . and not too little an get no results. is there a way to tell.

 

[jfl14609]

here is the way i suggest follow the directions and cut it in half then gradually increase when you change it the next time. Its always better to stay safe when adding anything new to a system

 

[dieseldaisy]

thanks jfl

 

[jfl14609]

no prob just remember everything in reefkeeping needs to be done slow nothing good happens fast accept death

 

[tmz]

I don't put much credence in the brs calculator. Amounts needed vary by tank ,organics load,etc. Many use 1/2 cup of bituminous or lignite carbon per 50 gallons of system water changed monthly or 1/3 cup of rox8. I use the rox ;it's the acknowledged best in the industry and has very low dust. Carbon removes organics and increases water clarity,so staring low and working up is important to avoid sudden changes to your tank particularly light intensity increases related to clearer water. Rinsing carbon before use is important.

GFO removes inorganic phosphate, excess metals and silicate. It can exhuast qickly in a tank with high phosphate. It's helpful to measure phospahte when using it,ime. Dropping PO4 to 0.1 or so can go fast without noticeable negative effect on corals,ime . After that for lower ranges a slow drop is better.
GFO may precipitate some calcium carbonate but the effects on alkalinity should be small. The PO4 being removed is also alkalinity but not the type corals use well when it's excessive.

Both gfo and gac are excellent tools for keeping a reef.

Coraline likes good alkalinity and magnesium levels. Green algaes are limited at .03ppm PO4 or less; coraline and rhodophta( red algaes) are not.

 

[dieseldaisy]

very good info! keep it coming. I really appreciate everyone's opinions and experiences with gfo/carbon