BRS order coming tonight!! Can't determine how much GFO to start with

CBehr · 03/05/2009, 12:45 PM

Thank is 150g or so total water volume. Have not run GFO/GAC in the past 6 weeks but have done several 25% WC's.

I'll probably start with about 1.5-2 cups of carbon but can't determine how much GFO to start with. I've read between .5grams to 3grams per gallon. I don't have a phosphate meter so I'll have no clue when it's expired until I get used to the reduction in algae etc and then can replace it when algae starts to increase.

I'm guessing I'll start with .5g/gallon which is about 75 grams. I think someone told me 1 tsp per 8 grams? Then after several days or a week replace it assuming that it's spent and repleace with 150grams and work from there. What do you guys think?

bertoni · 03/05/2009, 08:10 PM

There's some instructions that come with the GFO products, usually, and I'd start with maybe 1/4-1/2 of the amount suggested. Which GFO do you have?

CBehr · 03/06/2009, 06:49 AM

I got their pellet version. They suggest starting with 2 grams per gallon then increase to 3-5 after a few months. I went with a little over 1/2g per gallon...if I was correct with the 8gram per tsp?

bertoni · 03/06/2009, 08:30 PM

I can't find the density specification for that product, but 8 gm/tsp seems like a reasonable guess. Your plan sounds fine to me.

03/05/2009, 12:45 PM	#1
CBehr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ephrata, PA Posts: 588	BRS order coming tonight!! Can't determine how much GFO to start with Thank is 150g or so total water volume. Have not run GFO/GAC in the past 6 weeks but have done several 25% WC's. I'll probably start with about 1.5-2 cups of carbon but can't determine how much GFO to start with. I've read between .5grams to 3grams per gallon. I don't have a phosphate meter so I'll have no clue when it's expired until I get used to the reduction in algae etc and then can replace it when algae starts to increase. I'm guessing I'll start with .5g/gallon which is about 75 grams. I think someone told me 1 tsp per 8 grams? Then after several days or a week replace it assuming that it's spent and repleace with 150grams and work from there. What do you guys think? __________________ 1st time w/o a tank in 10+ years. Planning 65g..mainly fish, maybe a few LPS/Softies

03/05/2009, 08:10 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	There's some instructions that come with the GFO products, usually, and I'd start with maybe 1/4-1/2 of the amount suggested. Which GFO do you have? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/06/2009, 06:49 AM	#3
CBehr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ephrata, PA Posts: 588	I got their pellet version. They suggest starting with 2 grams per gallon then increase to 3-5 after a few months. I went with a little over 1/2g per gallon...if I was correct with the 8gram per tsp? __________________ 1st time w/o a tank in 10+ years. Planning 65g..mainly fish, maybe a few LPS/Softies

03/06/2009, 08:30 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I can't find the density specification for that product, but 8 gm/tsp seems like a reasonable guess. Your plan sounds fine to me. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni