GFO use

[Grant W]

hey all was just wondering if anyone has any experiance with granulated ferrous oxide use? if so could you explane its benefits and how you use it,reacton, mesh bag or what. newb question but I've been reading about it and was curious. thx

 

[jtarmitage]

Grant,
I've used GFO for the past 4-5 years. It's very effective at reducing phosphates in the tank, but like anything else, it's best used sparingly and as needed. Contrary to popular belief, you don't want to strip the water of all phosphate, just limit it to reduce algae growth. You want water to flow through the GFO, so it's best used in a reactor, and you want it to "gently tumble". Too low flow through it might cause it to clump and trap detritus, to fast and it may disintigrate. Be sure to rinse it first though, as you will release a fair amount of "dust" and the GFO gets hot when first submerged.
I recommend starting with 1/2 of recommended dosage, and upping it if the phosphate levels are still higher than you want.

 

[northbay-reefer]

I use GFO simmilar to the way Jeremy uses it. I look at the glass and keep an eye on the algea build up if it increases then it is time to replace the GFO.

 

[shaneh]

I do it too, you can pick up a reactor at Bulk reef supply, I use the dual chamber reactor. You can run carbon in one and GFO in the other all powered off a maxi-jet 1200.

 

[jedheuer]

I use GFO simmilar to the way Jeremy uses it. I look at the glass and keep an eye on the algea build up if it increases then it is time to replace the GFO.

hey Tom,

How often does your glass accumulate algae? Do you feel you are at a low nutrient level? Just curious to know because I find that phosphate test kits are pretty useless so I'm trying to also gauge the growth on the glass to indicate phosphate presence.

Thanks.

 

[northbay-reefer]

My glass accumulate algea every day, but depending on the phosphate level you will be able to see how thick it is. If I have to clean my glass every day then change GFO if every 3-4 days or more then GFO is still good.

 

[Grant W]

Thanks for the info guys sounds like I need to start too. Time for a reactor

 

[Grant W]

Hey guys I checked brs out and they are out of stock on the dual chamber reactors any other suggestions on vendor also checked md none there either? thx

 

[Reef Bass]

Yes, the BRS reactor is just two standard water filter canisters with a plastic bracket holding them together, so yes, those components can be had elsewhere.

BRS usually restocks pretty quickly, so I'd imagine that they'll be back in stock soon.

FWIW, I am running the BRS dual GFO reactor and it does impact the amount of algae growing. I don't run carbon so I have some filter floss catching any escaping fines in the 2nd canister.

 

[Grant W]

thx for the info Ken I'll keep checking in at BRS

 

[Reef Bass]

ignore this post. Posted something, was wrong, couldn't delete...