No GPO

[horseplay]

Turned off GFO and carbon a few months ago and SPS color improved dramatically. Measured 0.00 PO4 today with Hanna checker. NO4 is zero too with API. Feed 2 times frozen per day with two tangs and Anthias etc ... Cheato growing super green.

Anyone else not running GFO or bio pellets?

 

[dan_k]

Right here no GFO for me feed once a day everyday. 40 gallon water change every weekend. I don't plan on running any either

 

[Raffle King]

Good luck in the long run guys.

 

[Maplewood20]

Newbie questions: what is GFO?

 

[mrehfeld]

Granulated Ferric Oxide, it's used to lower and control phosphates by running your tank water through a reactor with an amount that gives you the result you want.

 

[Juano908]

Newbie questions: what is GFO?

Granular Ferric Oxide

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5

 

[Juano908]

Currently Im not running any GFO or Carbon reactor on my system but I will on my new setup.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5

 

[kschweer]

Good luck in the long run guys.

Not sure why they need luck. There's plenty of successful tanks not running gfo. Good husbandry, good skimming and a fuge with some macro can be sufficient for many systems. Just like most things in this hobby there are more than one way to accomplish a healthy system. This doesn't mean one way is right or wrong.

 

[TanksNStuff]

Quick lesson for the newbie (don't be embarrassed to ask questions, we all have to learn as we go and if you don't ask you don't learn)...

GFO = Granular Ferric Oxide - It's a media that removes phosphates from your water. Biopellets are a carbon source media that feeds beneficial bacteria... and is another method to remove phosphates.

Tony (Raffle King) has a point. Although not having any means of phosphate removal may appear to be beneficial in the short term, it will/does build up if not removed as fast as it accumulates (via feeding usually).

Chaeto (as well as other types of macro) are a good proven method to remove phosphates, but if that is your only method, just make sure to test at least monthly to be sure it's not building up on you. If it does, you can always temporarily run GFO in a reactor to keep it in line.

There is such a thing as having it "too clean" though, so I can see how it could be beneficial to take your GFO or biopellets offline.

 

[Raffle King]

Thanks again George

 

[dan_k]

Tony (Raffle King) has a point. Although not having any means of phosphate removal may appear to be beneficial in the short term, it will/does build up if not removed as fast as it accumulates (via feeding usually).

I would think water changes and a refuge would help with this. ''Long term'' wouldn't I see a rise in po4 and no3 first and if I did I would cut my feeding back and increase my water change volume for awhile
Just my 2cents

 

[TanksNStuff]

Yes Dan, that would also help and/or work. As Kevin noted, there are many ways to keep a healthy system. I've said this a hundred times, but all tank setups are different and everyone has a different set of livestock so no "system" is right for everyone.

The point is that you can choose to not have certain "must haves" that are known to keep phosphates in check. But if you do, then just be prepared to keep an eye on the tests and have a backup plan if the levels start increasing.

 

[Raffle King]

It all comes down to Bio Load

 

[jgraz]

Tony (Raffle King) has a point. Although not having any means of phosphate removal may appear to be beneficial in the short term, it will/does build up if not removed as fast as it accumulates (via feeding usually).

I would think water changes and a refuge would help with this. ''Long term'' wouldn't I see a rise in po4 and no3 first and if I did I would cut my feeding back and increase my water change volume for awhile
Just my 2cents

Agreed. A sufficient fuge and good skimming and WC will in fact be just fine. I've seem it over and over. GFO is great but def not a requirement. IMO it's just one more thing we have to fall back on that helps contribute to the lack of husbandry we see so often.