GFO & GAC for a Nano!!!

[CorkPullerPHL]

My current set up is a JBJ 28 Gallon 150w HQI. I have 30+ pounds of live rock and a 2.5 inch sandbed (I know this is a questionable setup.) I keep the sand well stirred and have various critters cleaning it. I feed my tank 2x a day a frozen blend of shrimp, scallop and clam. (Food is gone in less than 2 minutes)

My tank reads zero on ammonia, nitrite and nitrate parameters with Salifert Test Kits. I am not testing phosphate. I know my tank has both nitrates and phosphates becuase. . ..

Over the last few weeks I have had a tremendous algae outbreak. It's on the glass, in the sand, on the rocks, you name it. . .My tank has it.

To combat the outbreak, last week I replaced the stock skimmer with a Turboflotor blue hob. It is bubbling like crazy but hasn't developed a consistent head, and therefore isn't skimming yet. Once this skimmer gets going it should do a good job removing organics before they break down into algae feeding nutrients.

In addition, I would like to incorporate a Phosphate reactor.

Accounting for the small tank size what dosage should i start with for the GFO? Can I run it mixed with GAC? If so how much. I'll probably use the TLF Phosban reactor.

Any other tips are highly appreciated. Thanks all!!!

[CorkPullerPHL]

^

[bm102]

I would start with 1 Tablespoon of GFO. I asked a similar question and started with this amount. You can always increase slowly if needed. Just make sure to adjust the flow into the reactor since you'll have such a small amount of GFO.

Not sure about running mixed. From what I've read the GAC typically exhausts faster than GFO so folks like to run them separately since it would be extremely difficult to change out the GAC if its been mixed.

I'm also guessing folks will recommend you reduce the feeding although I don't have particular experience with those types of foods..

[Boomer]

. It is bubbling like crazy but hasn't developed a consistent head, and therefore isn't skimming yet.

It appears to me it is not set-up right or working right or a poor design.

GAC and GFO how much


GAC ~ 1/2 cup for ~ 25 gals

GFO ~ 1 tbls ~ 1 gals

TLF Phosban reactor

That is a pretty big toy for such a small tank but you always use less. Some put a plate in the reactor so they can use it for both non-mixed or use the BRS unit that has all this built in .ie, a compartment for both in one reactor

[pkpthrillho]

Originally posted by CorkPullerPHL
My current set up is a JBJ 28 Gallon 150w HQI. I have 30+ pounds of live rock and a 2.5 inch sandbed (I know this is a questionable setup.) I keep the sand well stirred and have various critters cleaning it. I feed my tank 2x a day a frozen blend of shrimp, scallop and clam. (Food is gone in less than 2 minutes)

My tank reads zero on ammonia, nitrite and nitrate parameters with Salifert Test Kits. I am not testing phosphate. I know my tank has both nitrates and phosphates becuase. . ..

Over the last few weeks I have had a tremendous algae outbreak. It's on the glass, in the sand, on the rocks, you name it. . .My tank has it.

To combat the outbreak, last week I replaced the stock skimmer with a Turboflotor blue hob. It is bubbling like crazy but hasn't developed a consistent head, and therefore isn't skimming yet. Once this skimmer gets going it should do a good job removing organics before they break down into algae feeding nutrients.

In addition, I would like to incorporate a Phosphate reactor.

Accounting for the small tank size what dosage should i start with for the GFO? Can I run it mixed with GAC? If so how much. I'll probably use the TLF Phosban reactor.

Any other tips are highly appreciated. Thanks all!!!

Here is what I did. I have the -exact- same setup as you and had massive hair algae problems. First, the skimmer just isnt going to cut it. You have a phosphate problem probably in the area of > .5 mg/l, but its really easy to get rid of. Look for a salifurt phosphate test on eBay, you can find used ones for $5 that have at least 50 tests left in them.

Second, go to bulkreefsupply.com and purchase a 1lb back of HC GFO
http://www. bulkreefsupply.com/Carbon-and-Phosphate-Remover-GFO-Phosphate-Remover-(GFO)-High-Capacity-GFO/c109_8_89/p434/1-pound-(453-Grams)-High-Capacity-Granular-Ferric-Oxide/product_info.html

Until you get you reactor you can do what I'm doing and use one of their filter bags:
http://www. bulkreefsupply.com/Carbon-and-Phosphate-Remover-GFO-Media-Bags-&-Reactors/c109_85/p419/Small-(6%22-X-9%22)-100-Micron-Media-Bag/product_info.html

Additionally, if you're like me and really dont want to add a sump or have things hanging off your tank, you can build a small DIY reactor detailed here:
http://www. nano-reef .com/forums/index.php?showtopic=77999&st=0

For the bottle, use one of the small Tropicana OJ bottles you see in any 7-11, they look like this:

http://www. packaging-gateway.com/projects/tropicana/images/TROPICANA-4.jpg

I measured and they fit in the back chamber just perfectly, buy one of the micro jet pumps/powerheads off eBay, they're about $15-$20.




I havent done the DIY reactor yet, but just the GFO in the media bag has killed off all my algae. There are some dying off remnants but its getting there. Scrub the rocks with a toothbrush and do water changes with the GFO in the back chamber and it will go away in 2-3 weeks. Also, where did you get your rocks? They might be the source of your phosphates.

[CorkPullerPHL]

awesome.

thanks for the info!