GFO or Phosban??

[Xx YOZER xX]

I just ordered a dual GFO/Carbon Reactor from bulk reef supply. I'm trying to figure out weather to use GFO or Phosban. After doing a little reaserch, it seems that everyone says Phosbahn is better at removing phospates and silicates. Also, some say that GFO may have a negative impact on clams.

Any Thoughts?

 

[northbay-reefer]

I've used both and I like phosban better. Currently though I took my reactor offline and my tank is doing better.

 

[Xx YOZER xX]

After seeing Grants tank, I'm inspired to get some acros going, but I know they are really sensitive to bad nutrients, so I figured I'd give the reactor a try just to be safe.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Start slow and increase gradually. GFO will mess with your Alk so go slow.

Your tank nutrient will be low enough with a good skimmer and constant tank hunbandry.

 

[Grant W]

Start with the water change bud, you want to take care of the cause first them just use the gfo or phosban to help maintain the levels longer. Of course this is after you finish the cycle you are currently going thru. Hope this helps. Grant

 

[Xx YOZER xX]

Thanks guys. Grant I think you're right about the mini cycle. I've got all my levels back down to zero (with 45 gallons of water changes over the past 2 weeks). I also added a carbon filter to my sump, and that seemed to help too. My goal is to be able to run the tank without carbon & GFO, but at the very least it will be nice to have i case of emergency. Do you run GFO in your reactor?

 

[Grant W]

Yes I do but only 10 tablespoons which is about half the recommended amout for my volume. Wait a week or so to see if the numbers start to climb up again or stabilize.

 

[Xx YOZER xX]

That sounds logical. I'll give it some time...

 

[coralfarmer]

Phosban is GFO (Granulated Ferric Oxide Hydroxide) I think the only difference BRS GFO and Phosban is granular size. BRS also has a denser version but it's all the same stuff.

 

[lokii_37]

I contacted BRS abou the high capacity GFO. They said the only difference between the regular and the high capacity is that the high capacity absorbs twice as much. However it costs more then twice as much so it is not really worth it unless you have space limitations in your reactor.

 

[coralfarmer]

Good to know. Thanks nick

 

[AMAYEU]

Start slow and increase gradually. GFO will mess with your Alk so go slow.

Your tank nutrient will be low enough with a good skimmer and constant tank hunbandry.

Good to know. Does it decrease ALK?

Been wondering why my ALK has been so low and if its because of running too much GFO or actively/consistently in a reactor. My first sign was RTN and alk was 5 dkh. Took me a weak to figure this out. Then raised it up to the 8-9 dkh over the course of 2 weeks. Then I decided to stop to dosing for a week & half, and do my normal water change (my normal routine) Thought it would hold, but alk dropped down to 6 dkh.

Running one TLF reactor with GFO in the bottom and carbon towards the top. 4 teaspoons on a 34 gallon tank.

 

[northbay-reefer]

GFO does lower your ALK slightly but not that much, also corals calcify faster when phosphate is reduced so your parameter tend to go a little lower.

 

[kodiak23]

I just used the last of my GFO and am thinking of ordering PO4X4 as a replacement? Anyone try this before?