GFO Media – Aquarium Lifesaver, Reef Tanks Phosphate Control.

Using GFO for a reef tank properly is not a complicated process. It is quite easy when you have done it for a few times. Always read the instructions on the GFO media that you have purchased for accurate usage. The GFO that I have depended on does suggest rinsing prior to use. Here are the instructions that I follow. To begin, you will need to pour the recommended amount of granular ferric oxide into its GFO media bag and secure it tightly. You have the option of either rinsing the high capacity GFO with RO/DI water or placing it under a faucet, allowing the water to run over it at a high stream until the water is clear. When it is time for you to place the GFO into your tank, you will want to select an area that allows for the most water flow. While it is suggested to change the GFO media every four to eight weeks, I would recommend that you do this whenever your phosphate levels are on the rise or you can visibly see algae growing in the aquarium. Want to know more about test kits, check this article - Click Here.

Media Reactors: Worth the Investment.

GFO media does come sometimes with a GFO media bag or you can buy it separate that can be used when placing in your aquarium. It is okay to use the GFO in this manner as long as the GFO media bag is placed in a location of your sump / back chamber that encounters generous flow. However, you will receive better feedback when placing the GFO media into a media reactor.

The process for using GFO in a media reactor is much different. You will first place the GFO in a suitable media reactor. Allow the return line for the reactor to sit in a bucket or your sink. Flush the lines completely by turning on the feed pump and allowing the water to run until it is clear. Position the reactor into your tank. Adjust the flow that you have through the reactor so that the GFO is barely tumbling on the surface. It is important that you closely monitor the flow so that the granular ferric oxide doesn't vigorously tumble causing a cloudy water situation. This is a problem that aquarium hobbyists sometimes encounter when just using the GFO media bag process.

How much gfo to use?

When you choose to use Granular GFO for a reef tank, you will start by adding one tablespoon for every four gallons of water that you want to treat. If all is going as planned, you will be able to increase the GFO to two tablespoons for every four gallons of water you are treating. If you are working with HC GFO, start by adding one tablespoon of GFO for every eight gallons of water. After four to eight weeks, adjust the GFO so you are adding two tablespoons for every eight gallons of water. Even though this is the recommended dosage, please do yourself a favor and monitor the phosphate levels to ensure that you are getting the results you are working so hard to obtain with a test kit.

Placement is Everything When it Comes to Media Reactors.

Learning the proper placement of the high capacity GFO reactor was where I really became baffled when first setting up my system. So, I'd like to share what I learned with you so that you can avoid the same frustration I encountered. When setting up your GFO reactor, its pump should be kept separate from the skimmer's pump. it's better to place the GFO reactor into the return section of your sump. However, leave enough room available near the return pump for the effluent. This ensures that you are not wasting time by simply retreating the water that has already gone through the GFO process.

When Cyano is Lurking.

I recently encountered a problem with cyano, the red algae, growing rather rapidly in my tank. I found out that this was becoming an issue due to high levels of phosphate in the water. That is when I learned the importance of proper usage of GFO for a healthy reef aquarium. To make the problem worse, when inspecting the parameters of the water, it was found that the nitrate levels were elevated as well. This allowed for the rapid speed of cyano growth in the tank. 

While GFO for a reef tank is a good start to cleaning up the problems encountered with cyano, I quickly learned it isn't enough action on its own. If you do encounter a similar problem with your tank vacuum out as much of the red algae as you can. Increase your water changes and start making your own RO/DI water for your salt mixture, Spectrapure is an awesome option for that. Up the flow circulation of your reef tank in dead spots and through the sump while reducing feeding. Adding a reactor for bio-pellets will work on reducing the nitrates if you don't run a refugium, but they won't do a thing to help with the phosphate levels. So, it's a good idea to use both high capacity GFO and bio-pellets in unison to get the job done right, again if you don't have a refugium sure. Any detritus that you see present on rock pores when you are running the GFO media bag or mechanical filter should be blown off. Using a refugium with macroalgae will increase the export of the nutrients to clean up the problem quicker. And as we all know, quicker is better in these situations. If you don't already have pods and sand shifting critters in your tank, consider getting them as this improves the functioning sand bed in your tank. But I'll not go deep into the cyano problem, because it is already very well covered in this article by Yuliya - Click here to Read.

​​The GFO and Carbon Debate.

Those of you that are concerned with using granular ferric oxide with carbon – don't be. These materials are designed to enhance one another when you use them correctly. While I try to take care in doing everything with my reef aquarium that is recommended, I will admit quietly that I have cut corners. While you can daisy chain your GFO reactor and carbon reactor together, you are also able to place these materials into a single reactor. This does get a little confusing when you know that your carbon needs to be changed every two weeks while your GFO is recommended to be changed every four to six weeks. With the sponge that is include when you purchase your reactor, you are able to separate the carbon from the GFO in your reactor. Watch out though, because this can be a messy process. 

Precautions You Should Note with GFO Usage.

Not monitoring the phosphate levels regularly can lead to some major setbacks that you are trying to avoid. Too much GFO decreases the phosphate substantially, causing the alkalinity in you water to drop, monitor your Alkalinity when you start using GFO. For those of you that pride yourself on having beautiful chaeto in your refugium, too much GFO kill this as well. If you do notice that your chaeto is dying off, don't allow it to continue. Simply remove the dead chaeto, which will promote a healthier phosphate level as well.

All-in-all you will be very happy that you invested the time to learn more about the granular ferric oxide media and other maintenance solutions discussed here. If you would like to learn more, please feel free to continue following ReefHacks so you can enjoy the experience of a healthy and beautiful reef aquarium that will thrive. Check also this interesting article. 

Guest Post by: Jessica Santos.