started GFO..more algae?

[Teaggs]

I started GFO yesterday in my new reactor. Came home from work and it seems like I have more algae than I had yesterday. I have a fish only with live rock so I don't have any corals to injure by lowering the phosphate levels too quickly. I went with the recommended amount of one cup for my total system volume. GF0 is barely tumbling in the reactor. I haven't tested my phosphates today but they were 1.81 before I started according to hanna checker. I think my rocks are leaching or something.Should I test phosphates coming out of the reactor now to see whats going on or test from the DT? Using BRS high capacity GFO with nextreef mr 1 reactor. Any advice please? Large water change as well?

 

[Teaggs]

No thoughts?

 

[brad_G]

At 1.81 your gfo is probably already exhausted. It will take a long while before you notice a difference on algae growth. Also you should try to remove as much as you can manually.

 

[Fishmommy]

give it some time and yes do more testing

 

[Teaggs]

Being I have no corals, should I use more than the recommended 1 cup to speed up the process or will that not matter? I am testing all my containers to see whats leaching. My rodi water is coming out at zero so I am good there. I am going do another 30 gallon change tomorrow and scrub the rocks again. I'm cutting back on feeding but I seriously think its coming from another source.

 

[bertoni]

Do you mean 1.81 ppm? That's very high. I'd expect the GFO to last a few hours, if dosed in the standard amounts. Some water changes might be cheaper than GFO at this point. How much food is going into the system?

A second opinion on the phosphate kit might be a good idea, too.

 

[Teaggs]

I usually feed once daily. 3 shrimp rinsed in rodi and cut into small pieces. Thats feeding a lion, huma and clown trigger. Too much? I just checked my barrell that I mix water in and its showing 0.24 reading with 0 from rodi going into the barrell...thats an issue as well. This is driving me crazy on what to do. How much of a water change do you recommend I do at this point? I assume I should change gfo again tomorrow when I do my change? Go with more than 1 cup in reactor?

 

[Teaggs]

If the rocks are leaching in the tank, will it eventually stop? Water changes and gfo consistently in the meantime. Is that how it works?

 

[indyjaco]

It will eventually stop.

What brand of Gfo are you using?

 

[Teaggs]

Brs high capicity ...when you say eventually does that mean soon or like next year? Lol

 

[bertoni]

How big are the shrimp?

 

[Teaggs]

They are the ones that are 31-40 count per lb. Not the jumbo ones. Is that too much?

 

[Geeray]

At this point with phosphates at 1.81 you may find GFO not very cost effective GFO seems to be better suited to maintain low levels of phosphates in larger tanks than it is at reducing already high levels. Have you considered other options for reducing phosphates? Do you have high nitrates and if so have you considered Carbon dosing with vodka or vinegar? What about LaCl?

 

[Teaggs]

I will try anything as needed. So time to start reading up on dosing, huh? Any good links or articles to start if I go that route?

 

[bertoni]

That's an enormous amount of shrimp for that size tank, IMO. I wouldn't even feed one.

 

[IanWR]

Perhaps you could look into Lanthanum chloride? It can bring down phos in a hurry. I know you can get some at pool supply places, but there are some made specifically for aquarium use (eg PhosDown). Once the phosphates are reading much lower your GFO will last a lot longer.

 

[Teaggs]

That's an enormous amount of shrimp for that size tank, IMO. I wouldn't even feed one.

Wow! I guess I am overfeeding. 1 shrimp split between 3 fish?

 

[Teaggs]

Perhaps you could look into Lanthanum chloride? It can bring down phos in a hurry. I know you can get some at pool supply places, but there are some made specifically for aquarium use (eg PhosDown). Once the phosphates are reading much lower your GFO will last a lot longer.

Phosdown ? Where can I find it?

 

[bertoni]

Even one shrimp might be too much for the filtration. You could consider using smaller amounts of fish food. I'd add some variety to the diet, in any, FWIW.

 

[Teaggs]

Even one shrimp might be too much for the filtration. You could consider using smaller amounts of fish food. I'd add some variety to the diet, in any, FWIW.

Thanks for the info on the overfeed. I do feed other items such as frozen krill, clams, squid, marine pellets and Mysis. Ill cut way back on those items from the current quantities I currently feed.

I did a 65 gal water change today with brand new Brute containers, so I know that I didn't pump anymore phosphates back in the tank. I put in some fresh GFO and GAC. I also scrubbed all the rocks and vacuumed the sand before changing the water out. Crossing my fingers that results will be better.:hmm4: