Who runs GFO or other phosphate binding media

[SPSEMPIRE]

I have not used any in months. It seems to cause more problems in my system in terms of algae/bacteria growth. I also don't dose any carbon source such as vodka.

That's why I started this poll. I have found that a lot people that are having problems are a result of improper use of GFO. Kind of feel like it prevents a reef from becoming an established aquarium.

 

[thebanker]

When you guys say PO4 is 0.0 on a Hanna, do you mean the little green Hanna "egg" PO4 checker? Or do you mean the small briefcase sized Hanna meter? Because there is a difference.

The green egg-shaped device will read 0 for any PO4 between 0 and 0.5, from what I understand.

And for those not using GFO, what are you using? White PO4 binder like Phosguard? Any negative effects? It's well documented that they will leach Aluminum, from what I understand.

 

[offroadodge]

I run GFO 24/7 and have for 2 yrs, my colors seem fine. Maybe ill take it offline for a few months and see if my colors change any.

 

[ryshark]

When you guys say PO4 is 0.0 on a Hanna, do you mean the little green Hanna "egg" PO4 checker? Or do you mean the small briefcase sized Hanna meter? Because there is a difference.

The green egg-shaped device will read 0 for any PO4 between 0 and 0.5, from what I understand.

I think you mean .05 not 0.5
The "green egg" is the Hanna Checker which is supposed to have an accuracy of +/- .04, so it could read 0 up to .04

 

[tegee]

This is a very timely thread. I have run GFO for the past three years and was thinking about slowly weaning myself off it or, at the very least, run much less. I feel with my beast of a skimmer, 10% weekly water changes and a stable setup that maybe my system is "too clean"? My sps colors are faded or not up to what they are supposed to be and I am concerned.

I will tell you that I only change it out every two months or so and do run carbon ROX. I just read an article in Advanced Aquarist where the featured tank only runs GFO and carbon when felt needed and only for a few days at a time; not 24/7.

Very interesting topic........

 

[lilopop11]

And for those not using GFO, what are you using? White PO4 binder like Phosguard? Any negative effects? It's well documented that they will leach Aluminum, from what I understand.

i used phosguard in my nano system for almost 2 month, and my SPS still happy until now, at least i haven't a problem with them..

 

[preef]

When you guys say PO4 is 0.0 on a Hanna, do you mean the little green Hanna "egg" PO4 checker? Or do you mean the small briefcase sized Hanna meter? Because there is a difference.

The green egg-shaped device will read 0 for any PO4 between 0 and 0.5, from what I understand.

And for those not using GFO, what are you using? White PO4 binder like Phosguard? Any negative effects? It's well documented that they will leach Aluminum, from what I understand.

The expensive HI93713 and the egg shaped Hanna checker specify the same accuracy. +/- 0.04ppm.

 

[flyyyguy]

The expensive HI93713 and the egg shaped Hanna checker specify the same accuracy. +/- 0.04ppm.

yep

I dont think the actual number matters so much as the fact that they consistently read the same, so you can make changes and monitor how the changes you make affect the number your unit reads

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

there is also a phosphorus checker that just came out that is supposed to be better in the low range(which is what we are interested in)...you have to do calculations to get it to the digits you are used to though

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

This is a very timely thread. I have run GFO for the past three years and was thinking about slowly weaning myself off it or, at the very least, run much less. I feel with my beast of a skimmer, 10% weekly water changes and a stable setup that maybe my system is "too clean"? My sps colors are faded or not up to what they are supposed to be and I am concerned.

I will tell you that I only change it out every two months or so and do run carbon ROX. I just read an article in Advanced Aquarist where the featured tank only runs GFO and carbon when felt needed and only for a few days at a time; not 24/7.

Very interesting topic........

I was in the same place a month or two ago thinking the same things, just so happened I saw in the same day two peoples sps tanks without gfo that were amazing and after talking to them I took it offline, both felt the negatives outweighed the positives...colors have improved since. The one said he didn't worry about po4, didn't do maintenence based on every so many weeks just did everything based on looks of tank. If colors faded a little then he'd do waterchange(be that 2 weeks or six weeks). The other tested for po4 and if it got to high he added a little of some Brightwell po4 binding liquid.

GFO is just sooo easy to use, it ends up getting used more than it should

 

[SPSEMPIRE]

And for those not using GFO, what are you using? White PO4 binder like Phosguard? Any negative effects? It's well documented that they will leach Aluminum, from what I understand.

Personally, I just stepped up my water changes and my corals appreciated taking the GFO offline.

 

[gon08]

I've been running skimmerless and without a fuge or deep sand bed using only GFO in a phosban reactor 24/7 for over a year now and my colors are fine. When I first began using it though they did fade a bit but after a few months of trial and error I figured how much GFO I really needed to use and the frequency I needed to change it out. I have a heavy fish load so it allows me to feed heavy without the worries, plus there is no skimmer to clean every couple days.

I would like to see pictures of tanks running GFO that have washed out colors. Here is mine with GFO 24/7.

 

[SPSEMPIRE]

before sunrise bump

 

[wdt2000]

I would like to see pictures of tanks running GFO that have washed out colors.

What do you mean? Pale colors? If so I think you can achieve those colors with out GFO.