Theory: Algae free tank possible?

[sen5241b]

Originally Posted by Stupidsreef

Enough was said on algea, I can't think of anything else to add. But on the bryopsis, I too fought this for a while. After getting tired of being the loser, I invested in a GFO reactor. I removed all the LR and went as far as tooth brushing it to get it off. Then replaced it and fired up the new GFO unit. I haven't seen it back since. Crossing my finger though, anything can happen.

Your ultimate solution was to get rid of all nitrates and phosphates and starve the bryopsis? Also, forgive my ignorance, what is 'GFO'?

[yote]

GFO is an iron based(I think) phosphate media.

[daugherty]

gfo is granular ferric oxide. which is iron based. as far as i know when it has absorbed all it cal it wont leach it back out like the aluminum based stuph will

[Stupidsreef]

Originally Posted by sen5241b

Your ultimate solution was to get rid of all nitrates and phosphates and starve the bryopsis? Also, forgive my ignorance, what is 'GFO'?

First, let me say, there is no such thing as a stupid question, So I can't forgive you

To answer your question, yes. I staved it out. Every life form must eat to survive right?? Take it's food source away and............

[Stupidsreef]

Originally Posted by yote

GFO is an iron based(I think) phosphate media.

Yote if you buy the right GFO, it is solid Iron.

[Stupidsreef]

Originally Posted by daugherty

gfo is granular ferric oxide. which is iron based. as far as i know when it has absorbed all it cal it wont leach it back out like the aluminum based stuph will

You are correct to a point. GFO will not leach back, but if you tumble it to rough it will break down to a powered and then it will leach. You want to boil GFO at a slow and gental rate. GFO will last for up to 4 months before it quites aborsbing. Some people don't realize that, and pich it to soon. Plus Iron based or pure Iron GFO will take about a month before results are noticed, this leads many to think it doesn't work, when in fact it does if you give it the time needed.

That and GFO can strip your system clean and starve your corals if you use to much to fast. It can and will remove nutrinets needed by corals and can as it's called "shock" your system.

[Stupidsreef]

The best GFO media I have found through my research is sold by BRS. This is a pure Iron GFO. Oh BRS is Bulkreefsupply.com If you think you want to try GFO I suggest using the pellets size. Like Carbon, GFO is a binding material, But instead of large pore's it has tiny pore's, it doesn't get cloged by large particals allowing it to absorb the phosphate. You can run both Carbon and GFO at the same time, however the carbon will be exusted well before the GFO.

[yote]

Never knew that some GFO was pure iron.

[Stupidsreef]

Originally Posted by yote

Never knew that some GFO was pure iron.

I'm sure it's not 100% pure, you know how they like to make claims about things. I'm sure it's mixed with other metals. I have done a lot of research on GFO & phosphate media in recent months. I have been battling a very bad case of cyno and was speaking with Randy Holmes Farley and Eric Borremann on the subject along with a few others over @ RC in a forum. While finding 100% pure Iron would not be hard, it's easer to find Iron mixed slightly with other metals. But through Randy's testing and other's "using it" testing methods they conclude that the GFO Pellets that are Iron or Iron based absorb more rapidy and don't leach. Where the powder or tiny grandular form does not. I do not find the aluminum base to be any good at all. In fact, it leaches more than it helps really. But again this is all JMO's really. Other than Randy's testing, and his findings.

One way to view this theroy is to dive on any battle ship (or metal ship) that has sunken. The ship becomes a reef in record time. And it florishes much better, corals are healther and vibrante and not much of the bad algea is found. When testing the surrounding water they find it is almost Phosphate free. Most ships built of metal is very High in Iron, which rust very fast. The rust then absorbs the phosphate. Most wooden ships are slower at this proccess due to there Iron content is lower, yet still there.

[yote]

Makes sense to me.