Gfo --------> tn

[MSHUR]

Fellas i need you opinio/suggestion !
After using prodibio for 8 month i never be able to get my PO4 below 0.05 level. So 2 month ago i added GFO reactor, PO4 drop to 0,02 ( not bad level ) considering that i have heavy bioload. last week i notice afew colonies start with slow TN at the base. ( All params in check , i test weekly . I still dose prodibio bi-weekly. here what i think my options:

1.remove GFO till TN stop and resume with lover dosage
2.reduce flow through reactor
3.Add more food for SPS

Your thoughts?

 

[juicesay]

What are your parameters?

How's your Alk level?

 

[MSHUR]

ca-430
mg-1400
Alk -8.0-8.4

 

[mutateddogbone]

how much GFO did you start out using and how much are you using now? how large is the system?

 

[MSHUR]

I start outwith 1 cup and now 2 cups on 200 g

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

Id that alk or ph

 

[rholguin]

I had the same issue a while back. I had run out of gfo and ran the tank for a month without it. I finally was able to buy some and a few of my sps started tn'ing. Im guessing stripping the system from nutrients to quick did it for me. Now everything is back to normal. Good luck.

 

[mutateddogbone]

id cut the GFO back to 1/2 cup and change it out every couple weeks or so and stay at that level for a few months. slowly work your way up with the GFO and if your having low PO4 with that little GFO then stick with that amount. more isnt always better in this hobby unfortunately

 

[MSHUR]

So, you guys think i should stop GFO, period for a month at least?

 

[mutateddogbone]

better to stop and see what happens then continue to use it and keep scratchin your head. i used GFO when i had a bad algae problem but i dont run it anymore, but i keep the leftovers on standby for such an event. a good mature fuge will be more efficient at nutrient removal then GFO and will be a lot more natural

 

[MSHUR]

Thanks guys,
I did lower flow to a min level , will continiu with Prodibio and try to feed a little more.. Hope TN will stop!

 

[jackson6745]

Mike I had the same problem. What I discovered is that if I raised and maintained my alk to 10 dkh the tn would stop. I make sure I use GFO all the time now and no problems. Whenever I used it periodically I would always get a little recession here and there.

 

[MSHUR]

Hey Rich,
10 DKH is pretty high for low nutrient system. I usually keep at 8-8.6 I know a lot of folks running GFO and keep ALK at 8.0 level.

 

[jackson6745]

Na! Remember back in the day when we used to run our alk at 12dkh? 10 is fine. I never had any problems at that level. My po4 is always from .01-.03 but I never used a neo-zeo system.

BTW how's your strawberry shortcake doing? Mine still has crappy color but it's growing.

 

[MSHUR]

You right, i use to keep mine at 10
when i switch do bac system i always kept at ~~8.0 level

mine is the same way, growing , but color suck