Couple Dosing questions and such

[AZDesertRat]

I run such a small amount of GFO I am not worried about problems. I don't know what problems it could pose anyway, have you heard anything in particular? I do know it is effective at removing arsenic III and V, phosphates, silicates, lead, cadmium, chromium, molybdenum and antimony. I don't think it has much effect on anything else and does not affect pH is small doses.

[ReeferRob]

I run such a small amount of GFO I am not worried about problems. I don't know what problems it could pose anyway, have you heard anything in particular? I do know it is effective at removing arsenic III and V, phosphates, silicates, lead, cadmium, chromium, molybdenum and antimony. I don't think it has much effect on anything else and does not affect pH is small doses.

Thanks for the great info.

I guess now that I think about it, I've heard of only one person causing a complete crash of a 200 gallon system by using too much GFO. But then again that same person I believe has successfully crashed his tank 2 or 3 different times.
I do know that certain amounts of phosphates are necessary for coral growth and coloration and just cautious to strip the tank completely of this.
Also I know SunnyX a very successful SPS keeper will only run his GFO reactor for a day or so just after a water change and that is all.

[stunreefer]

I've heard of people running GFO to long or running too much of it and having adverse side effects. Are you not worried of this or is it truly not possible.

Too long, not so much (it will just "fill up"), too much, yes. You can drop PO4 too fast and bleach/kill/harm coral. This can be caused by too fast of flow though a reactor as well.

While on the topic, I have a question..........what times of the day are you guys dosing your BRS 2 part. Can it be more beneficial to dose at different times of the day? And dose the element themselves at different times of the day or together staggered?

It's best to dose small amounts throughout the day (never Ca and Alk at same time though), but this is only practical with an automated doser. When I dosed by hand I would do 1/2 of the Alk dose when I woke up, followed by 1/2 the Ca dose before I left the house (after shower, brushing teeth, etc. - in other words a half hour later or so). When I got home I would do the other 1/2 of the Alk dose, followed by the Ca a half hour later or so.

Make sure to always dose in a high flow area (in the sump if possible to prevent contact with coral).

[ReeferRob]

Too long, not so much (it will just "fill up"), too much, yes. You can drop PO4 too fast and bleach/kill/harm coral. This can be caused by too fast of flow though a reactor as well.

It's best to dose small amounts throughout the day (never Ca and Alk at same time though), but this is only practical with an automated doser. When I dosed by hand I would do 1/2 of the Alk dose when I woke up, followed by 1/2 the Ca dose before I left the house (after shower, brushing teeth, etc. - in other words a half hour later or so). When I got home I would do the other 1/2 of the Alk dose, followed by the Ca a half hour later or so.

Make sure to always dose in a high flow area (in the sump if possible to prevent contact with coral).

Cool got it thanks.

I normally dose the Alk really slowly practically dripping it in a high flow area over a number of minutes. Then wait about 5 and do the calc the same way.

Im gonna try splitting it in half morning and night light you suggested. Thanks!

[stunreefer]

I've done it that way too Rob, and saw no ill effects. I figured if I can promote more stability, then why not right? (Just have to remember to do it, lol)

I'll tell ya what, once I went to a doser there was nothing nicer - like the first time you run an ATO. If you plan on running 2-part long term I would look into one. Bubble Magnus has been getting great reviews and they seem to be decently priced too.

[AZDesertRat]

Manually dosing in my 100G SPS dominated reef is getting really old. I can't wait to get my calcium reactor back in operating condition, its almost set it and forget it once its dialed in correctly.

[Manoj's Reef]

Great Inputs guys awesome....

I have been dosing for about 1.5 years and I find it more easier compared to reactor, but then its just a personal preference.

I dose two times in a day to keep the alk in a stable range. Mine states between 3.0 - 3.3 . One dosing 12 noon, second dosing 12 midnight.

My ratio of coral to water is high and hence my consumption is relatively high, I dose about 150ml of alk and 150ml calcium in 24 hrs .

Like everybody has eluded the chemicals should be put in the high flow area. I dose alk first and then 15 min break and then calcium . Currently my calcium stays at 430.

I run GFO 24*7*365 , phosphates are introduced into the system in various ways, eg: water and food. Hence running phosphates in proper quantities is always good. Currently my phosphates stay at between 0.03-0.07 , my target is to keep it between 0.00 - .04

However, phosphates are required for corals to grow hence you need to have some phosphates in the water column. Also rapid decrease of phosphates will cause bleaching and coral death.

Also excessive use of GFO will nuke the tank. Hence depending on your volume start with very little and then slowly go up.

Hope it help.

[Manoj's Reef]

Also I know SunnyX a very successful SPS keeper will only run his GFO reactor for a day or so just after a water change and that is all.

Rob, the reason Sonny doesnt run his gfo continuously is because he has a bacteria driven system. The bacteria takes care of it.

For the bacterial system to be effective the phosphates have to be in a low range, he accomplishes that by running gfo for some time and then the bacteria takes care of the rest.