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Laird 
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 Topic: Let me hear about GFO
Posted: October 11 2011 at 9:18pm |
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So who here runs GFO? I've been considering getting a reactor and running it. I've never had such a big problem with algae on my glass as I have in the last few months.
So a few questions to the people that run it. Is it worth doing? Is there any downsides or risks?
Thanks
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
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Laird
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 2:39pm |
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anyone?
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
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Ahanix
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 3:16pm |
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Starting the ecobak journey today. I did research on both and decided this route would be best
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jwoo
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 3:21pm |
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I tired ecobak and pulled it out due to it almost ruining my tank. So it's all GFO from here on out for me. I don't think there are many downsides to running it or risks, ultimately I find it to be much less volatile then the ecobak was. Just make sure to keep the water flowing fairly slowly through the reactor as not to crush the GFO with too much force.
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None at the moment
Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront
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kody72
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 3:53pm |
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Make sure just the top is tumbling a little bit. Ive notice since using it my algae is getting less and less on the glass also my phosphates have dropped to 0
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badfinger
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 4:23pm |
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I have been running gfo for ohhh say just under a year. No drawbacks yet.... the reason to use gfo ( granular feric oxide (iron oxide) instead of phosgaurd, is cause supposedly phosgaurd (aluminium oxide) can leach minerals into your tank.
To me it helps, and is kind of a fall back crutch for me... it does help with growth, but to me carbon/bacteria dosing did more for growth and coloration. But i am only dosing carbon once a week, i am pondering going to twice a week, and then less gfo
Edited by badfinger - October 12 2011 at 4:25pm
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Laird
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 4:40pm |
 jwoo wrote:
I tired ecobak and pulled it out due to it almost ruining my tank. So it's all GFO from here on out for me. I don't think there are many downsides to running it or risks, ultimately I find it to be much less volatile then the ecobak was. Just make sure to keep the water flowing fairly slowly through the reactor as not to crush the GFO with too much force. |
I'm with Jwoo on ecobak. I'm never going near that stuff again
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
|
|
Laird
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Location: South Weber
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 4:41pm |
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Where is the best place to get GFO?
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
|
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badfinger
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 4:52pm |
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Bulk reef supply.... also reef on carries it from BRS and sell it for about the same price with no shipping
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Laird
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 6:36pm |
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How much does everyone use and how often so you change it?
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
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Trevor40
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 6:37pm |
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I have been running GFO for a few months now and it has been keeping my phosphates undetectible so far. I feed heavy a few times a day. I have read that you want to be careful to not add too much GFO at first for reasons I'm not too sure about other than it might shock your tank not being use to it. Keep us posted how it works for you.
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Call or Text (801)834-3119
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Ahanix
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 9:19pm |
jwoo wrote:
I tired ecobak and pulled it out due to it almost ruining my tank. So it's all GFO from here on out for me. I don't think there are many downsides to running it or risks, ultimately I find it to be much less volatile then the ecobak was. Just make sure to keep the water flowing fairly slowly through the reactor as not to crush the GFO with too much force. |
Care to elaborate on how it almost crashed your tank?
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ReefdUp
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 9:25pm |
If you have SPS and run too much GFO at once, it can cause some bleaching...or worse. Always start with half the recommended amount. There were some studies done at how quickly GFO pulls the phosphate out of the water, and it can be a huge shock to some corals (particularly SPS)...so go slow. I change mine out once a month. If you read the GFO studies, it's really not good for long. It basically pulls everything out at once, and that's all it can do. I leave it running for a month each time in the belief that initially it pulls most everything out, and then after that it's just a "maintenance dose". Probably should do it more often, but I just find it gross to change (particles seem to stick to everything.) I get mine in bulk from Bulk Reef Supply, but recently Premium Aquatics (back near my previous home in Ohio) had it in bulk even cheaper. I'm not familiar enough with the local stuff...sorry. It gets pricey really quick (especially when you're dosing cups at a time on larger tanks), so buy it in bulk. If you don't want a ton, I'm sure there are some group buys that could help.
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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
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kellerexpress
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Posted: October 12 2011 at 9:28pm |
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I've used GFO for a while now with good results. I am currently trying a new product called po4x4. It's supposed to remove 4x the phosphate that GFO does.
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IM 30L
Kessil A160we x2
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Jeffatpm
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Posted: October 13 2011 at 3:33am |
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Love the gfo. I got gfo and biopellets to bring my phosphates low enough so I can start into sps. My skimmer has been dead about a month and still doing great! Change once a month. When I added it did take phosphates to about 0 very quickly.
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210 Reef with loads of LEDS
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Located Near Jordan Landing in West Jordan.
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Laird
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Posted: October 13 2011 at 7:35am |
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How much do you use and where do you get it from?
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
|
|
Jeffatpm
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Posted: October 13 2011 at 9:29am |
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Jerry at reef on gets it from bulk reef supply, I use about one cup in my 210 very low tumble in a reactor.
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210 Reef with loads of LEDS
Large Fishey Room
Located Near Jordan Landing in West Jordan.
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Laird
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Posted: October 13 2011 at 9:49am |
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http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/catalogsearch/result/?q=gfo&x=31&y=20
Which one?
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
|
|
Jeffatpm
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Joined: September 23 2010
Location: West Jordan, UT
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Posted: October 13 2011 at 2:21pm |
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http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/1-gallon-4-pounds-bulk-gfo-granular-ferric-oxide.html
I think the 4 gallon is the best value.
I use the granuals not pellets, pellets are for filter socks.
When we say low flow in the reactor, we mean it like a summer effect on the top of the media, no tumbling otherwise they will grind themselves down and you'll see it pulled out your skimmer. I use an inline ball valve to control the flow.
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210 Reef with loads of LEDS
Large Fishey Room
Located Near Jordan Landing in West Jordan.
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Laird
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Posted: October 14 2011 at 8:10am |
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Has anyone had any success using a filter bag with gfo instead of a reactor?
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
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