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07/17/2018, 06:57 AM | #1 |
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Alternative to GFO
Searching for a better alternative to GFO to maintain low PO4. Couple years back I used Phosguard, however I didn't see results. No surprise the market place is flooded with products for PO4 removal/maintenance.
Prefer to have something which can be run in a reactor.
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07/17/2018, 07:08 AM | #2 |
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Can elaborate on didnot see result? Under recomended gfo ammount maybe?
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07/17/2018, 07:47 AM | #3 |
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I've had great success using ATM Agent Green, there's plenty of other products also on the market that use Lanthanum Chloride.
It bonds to phosphate and creates small white beads. Though remember that this is an active way of removing PO4 rather than the passive method with GFO, so you'll need to keep on top of it. I did read a few threads were people were also drip adding to their systems with good success. |
07/17/2018, 09:20 AM | #4 | |
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Quote:
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07/17/2018, 09:22 AM | #5 | |
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Hoping to get feedback on other bonding materials which can be run (and safely tumbled lightly) in a reactor. How were you using the liquid Agent Green? In a sock?
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07/17/2018, 09:36 AM | #6 |
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Thoughts/experiences with DrTim's NP-Active Pearls?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MP0JBW...detail_0?psc=1
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07/17/2018, 10:30 AM | #7 |
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GFO is a generic name for "granular ferric oxide".. There are different brands (Rowaphos,etc...) and quality covered under that..
Phosguard is a "granular aluminum oxide" product.. Lanthanum Chloride is another chemical used for phosphate binding.. More brands there.. However.. Those products ALL work when used correctly.. If its not working then something else is going on.. Of course I also personally feel that if you need phosphate binding products full time you are likely just overfeeding.. and if you can fix that you don't need the GFO,etc.. I have never needed any phosphate products ever.. The only 2 reasons I've seen for phosphate issues in this hobby are overfeeding and purchasing Pukani rock or similar rock with phosphate already bound in it.. Carbon dosing (pearls/vinegar/vodka/nopox,etc...) all do reduce phosphate but don't seem to be as effective as they are at reducing nitrate..
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07/17/2018, 10:42 AM | #8 | |
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You could turn reactor it into a Cheato Reactor. That'll help with phosphates. Size is usually a limiting factor though.
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John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef |
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07/17/2018, 11:00 AM | #9 |
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07/17/2018, 02:37 PM | #10 |
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I over feed and my SPS love me for it. I do dose carbon (a 70/30 mix of vinegar/vodka at 40 ml/day) and do run GFO if PO4 creeps up above .05
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Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
07/17/2018, 03:07 PM | #11 |
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PhosGuard will work, if enough is used, but it will release some aluminum, which sometimes seems to cause problems. GFO seems to be fine. How high is the phosphate level? GFO (and PhosGuard) can be exhausted in a few hours if the GFO level is very high at all.
For a 90g reef, I might start with ¼ cup or less, depending on the phosphate level, but I am fairly cautious.
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07/17/2018, 05:09 PM | #12 |
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It was 0.45 when I put GFO back in to reduce it. I do feed slightly heavy, mostly to keep a few fish from nipping at the coral.
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07/17/2018, 06:18 PM | #13 |
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Using GFO in reactor? Never heard gfo did not do its work.. mine was half the recomended ratio and its too effective.. rowaPhos is very good imo
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07/17/2018, 09:49 PM | #14 |
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Am I the only one wondering why OP wants something that is run like GFO and does the same thing as GFO, but isn’t GFO?
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If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles |
07/17/2018, 10:21 PM | #15 |
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I would expect the media to be exhausted in a few hours if run in a reactor. That level is fairly high.
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07/18/2018, 07:11 AM | #16 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
As in the original post the question I posed was a similar type media for maintenance. At this point going to use a small amount of GFO 24/7 for a while since I am seeing good results.
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07/18/2018, 08:16 AM | #17 |
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Might want to try some high capacity GFO from BRS. While it's still GFO, it can absorb a lot more then regular old GFO and won't be exhausted so quickly. I had good results with the HC GFO when regular GFO was being exhausted so quickly when I had a PO4 issue.
Only caveat is it's a bit more expensive.
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80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work" |
07/18/2018, 08:19 AM | #18 |
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If you want it to work "slower" just run it in a media bag and not in a reactor..
That way you can continue to feed heavily and continue to maintain your current level..
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07/18/2018, 08:42 AM | #19 | ||
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Finally what is the negative to running GFO (in small amounts) 24/7 if any?
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07/18/2018, 09:09 AM | #20 | |
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Its basically a sponge in a puddle.. It fills up to what it can take then you just have a wet sponge in a puddle.. IMO...Identify/stop the reason for the elevated phosphate then use GFO to drop it and then discontinue GFO. I personally don't understand why people run it long term..
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07/18/2018, 09:18 AM | #21 | |
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I have a pair of damsels which pick at birdsnest coral. The way to eliminate this is to make sure they are full and happy. Additionally I tend to leave monthly for at least a few days during which time the fish are unfed. Overfeeding during the week compensates.
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07/18/2018, 09:21 AM | #22 |
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It is possible to regenerate GFO. It's a PIA but cuts expenses.
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John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef |
07/18/2018, 11:35 AM | #23 | |
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Flush them and problem solved.. Its damsels man.. Dime a dozen.. Solve the problem..
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07/18/2018, 11:50 AM | #24 | |
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Six months or so ago I destroyed half my scape to remove one of them. That effort took a week to accomplish and weeks more to rescape/recover. Not to mention I'd still have excess nutrients just from the bio load, even if I removed two small damsels.
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07/18/2018, 12:08 PM | #25 | |
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Or if you are having both nitrate and phosphate issues then try carbon dosing if you aren't already.. That will drop both.. I'd recommend vinegar or vodka vs biopellets.. Liquid is just so much easier/faster,etc...
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