SPS and GFO

[tmb22]

I feel like it might be time to have a discussion on keeping SPS while using GFO. Some people wouldn't dare mixing the two, and others wouldn't dare running their tanks without it. I'd like to hear the opinions of the experts out there (and I know RC has plenty of them) on this topic. As we know, most aquarists use GFO to remove phosphates from the water column. Some people think the lower level of phosphate in their aquarium, the better. Others think SPS corals need a certain amount of phosphates to absorb as nutrient. What do YOU think, and why?

 

[tankaddict]

When I first started using gfo i had a cause of STN from lowering my nutrients too quickly. Now i feed more with the addition of gfo and my tank is starting to look good again.

 

[allsps40]

I would never run a sps tank with out some form of po4 control. I use either GFO or Phosban. Po4 is harmful to sps growth and color. While yes sps need nutrients in the water column I would rather feed my sps a better cleaner source of nutrients. For me keeping po4 undetectable, no3 around 5pmm and feeding the fish well but not overfeeding has resulted in a clean reef tank with colorful growing corals. I also run carbon and skim a bit heavy.

 

[droth335]

i would never run a sps tank with out some form of po4 control. I use either gfo or phosban. Po4 is harmful to sps growth and color. While yes sps need nutrients in the water column i would rather feed my sps a better cleaner source of nutrients. For me keeping po4 undetectable, no3 around 5pmm and feeding the fish well but not overfeeding has resulted in a clean reef tank with colorful growing corals. I also run carbon and skim a bit heavy.

+1

 

[29reef]

I think a phosphate level of below .10 is acceptable .05 is closer to ideal.

How you attain those results are entirely up to the person keeping the tank. There are so many ways to reduce PO4 in a reef tank that you could have an entire thread on it.

 

[allsps40]

The only ways to control po4 that work effectively are GFO or some other po4 removing media, a good sized fuge or an algae turf scrubber.

 

[jbonez]

tagging along...

 

[jbonez]

how about lps corals , like - hammers acans, favias, brain im running a brs deluxe phos reactor with gfo

 

[acroholicreefer]

This is my opinion about using GFO.

Proper use of GFO will lower your phosphates in your system, creating less competition for surface area. Improper use of GFO will starve your corals and bleach the colors. From my experience with GFO, it is easiest to use this on a manifold so you can restrict the flow going through the reactor. You want the media to tumble or slowly dance. If you have the media going all around your reactor and to the top, you have too much flow .

Without a doubt, you can run a sps tank with delicate acropora corals without GFO. This is achieved with a discipline water change schedule, a high quality skimmer, and a lot of patience. On my current system, I do not use GFO or Carbon. Back in the old days, you couldn't have a sps tank unless your system has been set up for 6 months. Even then, only systems that have been set for a year or longer are considered mature or well established.

 

[allsps40]

IME the waiting till a year to add sps into a tank is way outdated info. When I did my tank upgrade I added all my corals right away with minimal looses and better color within a month.

 

[kotu100]

I started running RowaPhos last week and all my algae problems went away. Brought the water to get tested at the LFS and he using a real nice digital phosphate meter (not the hanna) he said it was 0. Since then i lost a nice sized frag of what kinda looked like teal stag, and my yellow sps frag looks like it has STN.
Could the lack of Po4 have caused this? Or was it more likely the quick reduction of Po4?

 

[acroholicreefer]

Could the lack of Po4 have caused this? Or was it more likely the quick reduction of Po4?

Both, but one is the cause of the other. My vote is that the STN was caused by RowaPhos and how it was used.

 

[t4zalews]

In my experience, if you use GFO start SLOWLY and work you're way up if needed. I used too much too soon and my corals really took a beating. I now only run a refugium for PO4 control. Excellent skimming, not overstocking and responsible feeding habits will eliminate high PO4 levels.

 

[reefkeeper2]

I used GFO for years and was continuously plagued with sporadic STN. I tried using different amounts and flow rates to no avail. So I searched for other methods. I used lanthanum for a while but that was too labor intensive. I got biopellets, and they helped but I needed to do better. About 5 months ago I built an ATS. That did the trick. I harvest a dinnerplate full of algae every week. Between the biopellets and the ATS I don't think my tank has ever looked better. I need some phosphate reagent for my photomenter, but I don't think I'll spend the money.

 

[29reef]

The only ways to control po4 that work effectively are GFO or some other po4 removing media, a good sized fuge or an algae turf scrubber.

I'm not convinced you covered the only ways, what about not introducing phosphate into the tank in the first place? Nothing is absolute in this hobby.

Would carbon Aka vodka/vinegar dosing fall into your list? Vitamin c & sugar?

 

[RRaider]

I'm not convinced you covered the only ways, what about not introducing phosphate into the tank in the first place? Nothing is absolute in this hobby.

Would carbon Aka vodka/vinegar dosing fall into your list? Vitamin c & sugar?

Water changes?