BowieReefer84 May 12, 2011 May 12, 2011 I just used my new hanna phosphorus checker. I got a reading of 34, which corresponds to a phosphate of 0.104, and it is my understanding this is too high for a reef/sps tank. I read in another thread I want it around 10 on the hanna checker, which is 0.031 phosphate. Keep in mind I will not really be able to run a gfo reactor, as I have an AIO biocube. My nitrates are low in the 2-4 range on a salifert test kit, so it's not an issue of too much feeding or overstocking (I don't think). What are my options?
Jon Lazar May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 Isn't there a way for you to hang a media reactor on the back and feed it with a small powerhead?
BowieReefer84 May 13, 2011 Author May 13, 2011 Isn't there a way for you to hang a media reactor on the back and feed it with a small powerhead? My tank is basically flush against the wall. I have like no room to hang anything... What were you thinking? Can I run GFO in the mediarack in the back chamber? Does it need to tumble?
Origami May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 It does not need to tumble. It's more effective that way, but you can also run it in a bag.
Reefoholic May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 Can one run the NeoZeo rocks in a bag in the sump? Otherwise, I need to buy a reactor. It does not need to tumble. It's more effective that way, but you can also run it in a bag.
Origami May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 Can one run the NeoZeo rocks in a bag in the sump? Otherwise, I need to buy a reactor. I don't know. I've not used NeoZeo.
BowieReefer84 May 13, 2011 Author May 13, 2011 It does not need to tumble. It's more effective that way, but you can also run it in a bag. Thanks Tom. I have never used a phosphate remover. What would you use between BRS GFO, Phosban, and Rowaphos? I am not really concerned with price, as my tank won't require much at only 20-25gal of water volume.
Origami May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 GFO is probably most common amongst hobbyists. I notice that you're nitrates are non-zero. Another option is to dose a carbon source, like vodka or one of the commercial products. The increase in bacteria should reduce both your phosphate and nitrate levels.
BowieReefer84 May 13, 2011 Author May 13, 2011 GFO is probably most common amongst hobbyists. I notice that you're nitrates are non-zero. Another option is to dose a carbon source, like vodka or one of the commercial products. The increase in bacteria should reduce both your phosphate and nitrate levels. Yea, I was using prodibio BUT stopped. My water was too clean (I think). My nitrates were zero, and are now in the 2-4 range. I have not done a water change in like a month either... I need to do one this weekend. Thanks! I'll pick up some gfo, and start slowly. JUST ONE MORE QUESTION... Can high phosphate cause STN of acropora corals? I have been facing this issue, and cannot find a cause. I dipped some of them to look for redbugs or aefw, and there is no sign of any pest whatsover. I have done this to a few different frags. Thanks for all the guidance!
Origami May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 High phosphates can interfere with coral growth and can brown them out. STN can be caused by a lot of things. Parameter swings, poor flow, bacterial infections. It's less a disease than it is a symptom that something's not quite right. Is it happening from the inside the coral branches and extending outward? What's the pattern of tissue death?
BowieReefer84 May 13, 2011 Author May 13, 2011 High phosphates can interfere with coral growth and can brown them out. STN can be caused by a lot of things. Parameter swings, poor flow, bacterial infections. It's less a disease than it is a symptom that something's not quite right. Is it happening from the inside the coral branches and extending outward? What's the pattern of tissue death? Yea, I need to get my phosphates down than give the tank some time to settle. How can you determine a bacterical infection? Is there a fix?
John May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 Silly question, but are you using RODI? Just want to confirm phosphates are not coming from the water source. Secondly, are you using flake food? I've heard flake food can contribute to phosphate levels.
BowieReefer84 May 13, 2011 Author May 13, 2011 Silly question, but are you using RODI? Just want to confirm phosphates are not coming from the water source. Secondly, are you using flake food? I've heard flake food can contribute to phosphate levels. Not silly at all. I use distilled water NOT rodi. I have never tested the total dissolved solids, but my tank has zero algae. I have also had a fire shrimp for a few years, and if there was copper I think it would have passed. For food I feed nls pellets, frozen mysis, freeze dried cyclopeeze, and reef chili... Not sure if there is a difference b/t flake and pellet? I was on a BRS group buy so I ordered some pellet GFO and a couple mesh socks.
beatle May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 I actually picked up a jug of distilled to use as a container for adjustments to my sump level after acclimation. It was 0 TDS, just like RO/DI. I thought GFO needed to tumble to keep from solidifying into a block?
jaddc May 13, 2011 May 13, 2011 FWIW, I have a JBJ 28g and I run a media reactor. It's pretty tight in the back sump area with an extra pump, but I have GFO and GAC in the reactor. So I basically just have a filter sponge in the overflow and that's it. Because your tank is small, you don't need a large pump. I dose vodka (the live sponges and protein skimmer remove the excess bacteria). The remaining phosphate gets soaked up by the GFO.
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