How many run phosphate removers/GFO?

[KafudaFish]

I am just curious as to how many run phosphate removers in their systems.
I have a few pieces of LR that have a red grass algae on them and I think that these are leaching PO4. I don't know which species it is but Randy mentioned what he thought it was once. So anyone?

 

[acrodave]

i was running it but went all out and started zeo

 

[ct_vol]

Hmmm, I don't remember... Was it Red Turf algae???

I run GFO... It won't get rid of turf algae though...

 

[KafudaFish]

Um cannot remember but I thought you gave me the genus.
I guess I am looking at my husbandry and one of the things I was considering was additional chemical filtration. My tank is almost 2 years old and I would think there would have to be phosphates in the system. IMuch of my rock was from other systems so I don't know how old it really is or how much phosphates are bound in the rock. I think they would have to be present in every system regardless. I do wonder if my cheato keeps things in check since I have very little algae. I barely clean the glass.
Also because I am going to be adding fish to the system I figured increased feedings could mean increased PO4 as well.
Yes or No?

 

[reeflover101]

i run a phosphates reactor.. i have 0 phosphates but i have sps coarls also and they dont like phosphates at all

 

[goreefer]

I use GFO. When the PO4 starts to rise I replace it.

 

[KafudaFish]

One reason why I thought about this was/is I finally figured out what I want to keep in my tank. Ever since last fall I have been really paying attention to what I am interested in. I still like zoas but have sort of lost interest except for a few that I want. I think Dave has most of them btw.
I want to do an encrusting monti tank. I was able to get a superman monti from ChadFarmer at the last swap and I really like it. Because my tank is short and I like compact corals this should work out. I am getting additional lights (another 2 x 54) and maybe additional flow in my system. This is where I started thinking about phosphates btw.
SO I want to see if this could help my system.

Oh and because I really really want the lights I get them at our swap. RIGHT? It worked for Mel!

 

[cee]

Superman, sunset, reverse sunset, season's greetings, Hawaiian punch, purple haze, pokerstar, etc. Those encrusters can get pricey!

BTW, I run GFO, but you must be careful with the stuff. You really need a Merck or Hanna photometer to measure PO4 with sufficient resolution to be worthwhile IMO.

Dave

 

[KafudaFish]

Thanks for the heads up Dave.
I thought that I had read that one needed a photometer to test because the others just are not sensitive enough.

Yeah I figure that they can get pricey. But another "decision" about where I want my tank to go is I want to limit the number of varieties that I have in it.
I know that everyone is pretty much a kid in the candy store as far as stocking but I think that it would be interesting to have something like 20 or less species/color morphs and repeat it throughout a display.
I have more time than money (I hope because if that is not the case I need to find a plot quickly) and am in no rush.
To me it would be pretty cool to stock an entire tank on a handful of frags. As someone on RC has as a quote, "Anyone can buy a reef but not everyone can build one." or something like that.

Now who wants to help me on the encrusters?!!!!!

As far as GFO what rates do you guys run it at?

 

[goreefer]

In my 29 I only run about 3/4 of a table spoon. I do use a Hanna photometer, but I only check it about every 3-4 weeks. If you don't introduce a lot of PO4 producing material to your system you really don't need to check it weekly. But my tank has been set up for about 10 years.

 

[seased]

I started running GFO in a reactor around the first of the year. I was having some algae issues, but not bad. I was reading a poll on the subject in the SPS forum and the majority of the people used it. I started out with about 1/4 cup for a 90. I now add about 1/2 cup. Currently, I use Phosban, but have been looking at some of the other brands at twopartsolutions. Sorry to hijack - but could I bring a sample to the next meeting and you could test with the photometer?