Best GFO to use??? - Page 2

rrasco · 08/20/2013, 10:28 AM

I have only used BRS. Recently we were talking about GFO and the common thing I heard was rowaphos was cleaner than BRS. I have not used it myself, but I might give it a try. Never wanted to plunk down the cash for the BRS HC.

that Fish Guy · 08/23/2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandeAzul

I wouldn't recommend putting GFO in the aqua clear. When the sponge gets too full of gunk it starts to push up and will eventually cause the water to fill out the top of the filter. Putting GFO in there will almost guarantee is a mess eventually.

That was what I planned on doing (Using Aqua Clear Hang on the Back Filter).

I was going to clean out the Filter Sponge weekly. If I do that do you think that I will still have the problem you mentioned?

Or I could just take out the Sponge completely and only use Carbon and GFO.

What do you guys think?

nynick · 08/23/2013, 10:25 AM

You can not put GFO in an aquaclear, it solidifies and turns into a big rock unless it tumbles. If you want to use a hob/mediabag you will need one of the white aluminum based phosphate removers.

Dapg8gt · 08/23/2013, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by that Fish Guy

That was what I planned on doing (Using Aqua Clear Hang on the Back Filter).

I was going to clean out the Filter Sponge weekly. If I do that do you think that I will still have the problem you mentioned?

Or I could just take out the Sponge completely and only use Carbon and GFO.

What do you guys think?

It will work but not to its potential.. I run an aquaclear 70 on one of my tanks and I just mix the gfo with the carbon. I usually rinse both separately than add together.. It's Def not the best way to use gfo though it will work. Fwiw I've ran an aqua clear on my 45g for almost 10 years.. Key is to clean the sponge weekly and I replace it about every 4 months. IMO if you don't have a sump the aquaclear is the easiest and most reliable form of mechanical filtration.

I had horrible results with the aluminum based media (phosguard) maybe I didn't rinse it enough but both times I tried to use it my zoas and LpS almost died..

pmt81777 · 08/23/2013, 11:48 AM

Go with the BRS hi capacity at first if your phosphates are high. Than after you get it under control I would buy the regular GFO. but be careful at adding it, stripping the water too fast can cause sps to RTN or STN

BuckeyeFrags26 · 08/30/2013, 06:53 PM

Thanks everyone for all the wisdom And advice! Big help!

doubleott05 · 02/27/2014, 12:16 AM

bump

FLSharkvictim · 03/10/2016, 07:33 PM

I have a 120 GALLON fish and rock only tank, specs are the following 48 x 24 x 24. Question about how much BRS GFO you use in your media reactor, since we both have the same size tank? Also,I have a 30 gallon sump with a refuge in the middle of the sump. I read to you use about 1 1/2 of cup of GFO! What are your thoughts?
Many thanks and kind regards from FLORIDA,
flsharkvictim

Pablos RSM 450 · 03/10/2016, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLSharkvictim

I have a 120 GALLON fish and rock only tank, specs are the following 48 x 24 x 24. Question about how much BRS GFO you use in your media reactor, since we both have the same size tank? Also,I have a 30 gallon sump with a refuge in the middle of the sump. I read to you use about 1 1/2 of cup of GFO! What are your thoughts?
Many thanks and kind regards from FLORIDA,
flsharkvictim

I have a 118 total system and use 1 3/4 cups of BRS regular GFO. If you get the high capacity it is 1/2 the amount needed. I highly recommend BRS vs Aquamaxx. The aquamaxx has a bunch of dust. I use the BRS reef calculator for GFO. For your 150 total volume is 2.34 cups regular GFO or 1.17 high capacity GFO. The high cap GFO is double the price though.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator

TangingOut · 03/11/2016, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablos RSM 450

I have a 118 total system and use 1 3/4 cups of BRS regular GFO. If you get the high capacity it is 1/2 the amount needed. I highly recommend BRS vs Aquamaxx. The aquamaxx has a bunch of dust. I use the BRS reef calculator for GFO. For your 150 total volume is 2.34 cups regular GFO or 1.17 high capacity GFO. The high cap GFO is double the price though.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator

This is funny I have the exact opposite experience with Aquamaxx vs BRS gfo. For me the BRS stuff is more dusty and the size of the particles aren't as consistent as Aquamaxx. Also they are the same price.

yacn · 03/11/2016, 12:45 PM

LFS recommended rowaphos....said it was the best quality for removing phosphates. So that's what I bought/buy.

They haven't led me in the wrong direction yet....l haven't tried any other brands to compare results, quality, etc. Reading this to see if Ebay or others are less money and do the same job.

olemiss reb · 03/11/2016, 01:17 PM

I'd be willing to bet your LFS sells Rowaphos.

GFO is GFO--- http://gfo4phosphateremoval.com/buy-...egory=15339029

jayball · 03/11/2016, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLSharkvictim

I have a 120 GALLON fish and rock only tank, specs are the following 48 x 24 x 24. Question about how much BRS GFO you use in your media reactor, since we both have the same size tank? Also,I have a 30 gallon sump with a refuge in the middle of the sump. I read to you use about 1 1/2 of cup of GFO! What are your thoughts?
Many thanks and kind regards from FLORIDA,
flsharkvictim

I use a max of half the recommended amount, usually a third. I have noticed a negitave reaction in some coral in the past using a full load for a couple days after putting new in. If you are FOWLR I would not hesitate to use a full load as fish will not care.

yacn · 03/15/2016, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olemiss reb

I'd be willing to bet your LFS sells Rowaphos.

GFO is GFO--- http://gfo4phosphateremoval.com/buy-...egory=15339029

they sell that brand and several others....if the link you sent me is the same I like the price! But the picture of the GFO in your link looks like the particles are larger than the rowaphos particles. Curious if those are in fact larger and will they tumble as easy as rowaphos does with my TLF 150 reactor and small eheim pump. I was told to tumble as slow as possible without allowing the product to clump and to turn the ball valve on full once a day to prevent clumping.

jda · 03/15/2016, 08:19 AM

I use the bulk stuff from eBay. Got a 1' cubed box for pretty cheap years ago and still have some - looks like it is $220 for 25 pounds currently. It is clean and easy to use at the top and gets a bit dustier at the bottom - just like large bags of carbon. I probably don't use 1/8 cup a month on a 300G reef system, so I don't have huge issues with phosphate - I mostly use it on my rock container where I am always cooking some rocks.

HaroldT · 03/16/2016, 10:42 PM

I buy my GFO from Bulk Reef Supply. Works great!

azjohnny · 03/17/2016, 01:51 AM

Also you could try a Algae Turf Scrubber and/or a Tridacna Clam to help with phosphates

08/20/2013, 10:28 AM	#26
rrasco Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,159	I have only used BRS. Recently we were talking about GFO and the common thing I heard was rowaphos was cleaner than BRS. I have not used it myself, but I might give it a try. Never wanted to plunk down the cash for the BRS HC. __________________ -You had me at PWM

08/30/2013, 06:53 PM	#31
BuckeyeFrags26 AquaticLife Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Englewood, OH Posts: 307	Thanks everyone for all the wisdom And advice! Big help! __________________ "Reefing Is An Addiction Rehab Doesn't Work For" "Aquatic LifeStyle" Current Tank Info: 250 Gal Double Deep, all Ecotech lights & pumps, L1 Vectra Closed Loop, reef Octo skimmer, full out Fuge 75Gal.. Other Systems-55gal Coral/Invert Q/T, Side By Side x2-11Gal W/Sump Q/T System, 125Gal Q/T w/Sump!

03/11/2016, 01:17 PM	#37
olemiss reb Molon Labe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,550	I'd be willing to bet your LFS sells Rowaphos. GFO is GFO--- http://gfo4phosphateremoval.com/buy-...egory=15339029 __________________ secesh

08/23/2013, 10:25 AM	#28
nynick Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,029	You can not put GFO in an aquaclear, it solidifies and turns into a big rock unless it tumbles. If you want to use a hob/mediabag you will need one of the white aluminum based phosphate removers.

08/23/2013, 11:48 AM	#30
pmt81777 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 48	Go with the BRS hi capacity at first if your phosphates are high. Than after you get it under control I would buy the regular GFO. but be careful at adding it, stripping the water too fast can cause sps to RTN or STN

02/27/2014, 12:16 AM	#32
doubleott05 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ft Hood TX Posts: 208	bump

03/10/2016, 07:33 PM	#33
FLSharkvictim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tampabay - FLORIDA Posts: 240	I have a 120 GALLON fish and rock only tank, specs are the following 48 x 24 x 24. Question about how much BRS GFO you use in your media reactor, since we both have the same size tank? Also,I have a 30 gallon sump with a refuge in the middle of the sump. I read to you use about 1 1/2 of cup of GFO! What are your thoughts? Many thanks and kind regards from FLORIDA, flsharkvictim

03/11/2016, 12:45 PM	#36
yacn Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 212	LFS recommended rowaphos....said it was the best quality for removing phosphates. So that's what I bought/buy. They haven't led me in the wrong direction yet....l haven't tried any other brands to compare results, quality, etc. Reading this to see if Ebay or others are less money and do the same job.

03/15/2016, 08:19 AM	#40
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	I use the bulk stuff from eBay. Got a 1' cubed box for pretty cheap years ago and still have some - looks like it is $220 for 25 pounds currently. It is clean and easy to use at the top and gets a bit dustier at the bottom - just like large bags of carbon. I probably don't use 1/8 cup a month on a 300G reef system, so I don't have huge issues with phosphate - I mostly use it on my rock container where I am always cooking some rocks.

03/16/2016, 10:42 PM	#41
HaroldT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 582	I buy my GFO from Bulk Reef Supply. Works great!

03/17/2016, 01:51 AM	#42
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	Also you could try a Algae Turf Scrubber and/or a Tridacna Clam to help with phosphates