Does GFO go bad?

[salty28]

Just wondering.. I found a zip lock bag in the garage from a group buy a few years back. The bag was sealed and then put into a tupperware container. Looks exactly like it did when I picked it up. I would think that if I rinse it, (I would have anyway), it should be fine. It's Ferric Oxide, correct, nothing that could go bad? Any thoughts?

 

[duijver]

I just did the same thing.. threw it in the tank about 2 weeks ago and nothing has changed. I think as long as it was kept moist/wet then it should be OK.

 

[Hawkeye]

"reef safe" angels go bad sometimes but not gfo... ...at least as far as i know.


ever consider biopellets instead?

 

[Tazmaniancowboy]

There has been debate about this topic a few times with no conclusion. I used some old stuff as you are describing a few years ago and had no luck with it. I tossed it and bought high capacity stuff from BRS and had immediate results. If you have a Phos meter, I would take a few tests to see if it is working

 

[duijver]

There has been debate about this topic a few times with no conclusion. I used some old stuff as you are describing a few years ago and had no luck with it. I tossed it and bought high capacity stuff from BRS and had immediate results. If you have a Phos meter, I would take a few tests to see if it is working

I would be interested, but all of my phos tests come back 0ppm at all times - using tank water. I had TROP check it also to make sure and they too came back with 0PPM in PO4 and NO4. So, its either leeching from the rocks or being consumed instantly by the softies and HA.

This was before adding EcoBak and GFO.

 

[Tazmaniancowboy]

all of my phos tests come back 0ppm at all times - using tank water. I had TROP check it also to make sure and they too came back with 0PPM in PO4 and NO4.

Are you using Phosphate meter or Phosphate test kits?

 

[duijver]

Are you using Phosphate meter or Phosphate test kits?

Test kits... I guess it did not help that TROP uses the same brand I use!

I plan on bringing some water to Greg when I pick up the inverts from r2r. He said he tests water for $10, but again no idea what he is using. TROP's test kit setup was a joke.. I expected real meters. They used test strips for 1/2 of the tests.... I could of swore they were fresh water, but they said it's universal..

I have to admit, that I started testing when I started the hobby, but even after buying a lot of different kits (not meters) all of the samples came out in range - even mag/alk. So, I just never really bothered. The only expensive meter/tester I bought was a good refactormeter since that's something I needed to use weekly that really did matter.

 

[Tazmaniancowboy]

Phosphate test kits are a joke in my opinion. they generally do not pick up lower levels of phosphate. Where are you located? Maybe we can get a meter over to test your water for you.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[salty28]

I use test kits also, with the same, 0 ppm results also. I guess a meter would help. I usually just run GFO when I see HA, that's my test kit