gfo in a 5 gallon nano reef

BeachVacationer · 08/28/2016, 08:59 PM

I have a fluval spec V with upgraded pump and led lights. It's been running for over a year. I have soft and lps corals in it with 2 stunted clown fish in it. My clean up crew consists of 4 astria snails, 1 skunk shrimp and a small zebra snail. The snails do a great job at eating algae, in fact I don't have an algae issue at all in the on the live rock or the substrate. What I notice is a reddish growth on the glass within a week's time. It comes off easily with a plastic scrubbie but if I let it go for 2 weeks I need to use a razor blade to remove it from the glass.

I'm wondering if I should try using GFO to lower my phosphate to see if lower phosphate will reduce this growth on the glass. But I've heard GFO should be used cautiously.

Why is there an issue with the use of GFO? Is a sudden reduction in phosphate a bad thing or does GFO release something harmful to corals? Just curious before I use it.

Thanks!

NeilFox · 08/28/2016, 09:15 PM

Doubt you would need it. What are you using for your makeup water? Sounds more like diatoms.

BeachVacationer · 08/29/2016, 05:16 AM

I use RO water for WCs and top off. I'll measure phosphate tonight.

08/28/2016, 08:59 PM	#1
BeachVacationer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 546	gfo in a 5 gallon nano reef I have a fluval spec V with upgraded pump and led lights. It's been running for over a year. I have soft and lps corals in it with 2 stunted clown fish in it. My clean up crew consists of 4 astria snails, 1 skunk shrimp and a small zebra snail. The snails do a great job at eating algae, in fact I don't have an algae issue at all in the on the live rock or the substrate. What I notice is a reddish growth on the glass within a week's time. It comes off easily with a plastic scrubbie but if I let it go for 2 weeks I need to use a razor blade to remove it from the glass. I'm wondering if I should try using GFO to lower my phosphate to see if lower phosphate will reduce this growth on the glass. But I've heard GFO should be used cautiously. Why is there an issue with the use of GFO? Is a sudden reduction in phosphate a bad thing or does GFO release something harmful to corals? Just curious before I use it. Thanks!

08/28/2016, 09:15 PM	#2
NeilFox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DuPont, WA Posts: 947	Doubt you would need it. What are you using for your makeup water? Sounds more like diatoms. __________________ Even a Blind Squirrel finds a Nut now and then. Current Tank Info: 6.25 gal Nano, 40 gal SPS

08/29/2016, 05:16 AM	#3
BeachVacationer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 546	I use RO water for WCs and top off. I'll measure phosphate tonight.