Looking to control PO and NO3: 72 gallon reef, needs to be HOB, best options?
- Thread starter JeremyAN7
- Start date
WoodRiverTroutBum
Non-member
Do you already have a refugium? My vote would go for that if you don't already have it.
WoodRiverTroutBum
Non-member
GFO will take care of phosphates but wont do anything for nitrates.
WoodRiverTroutBum
Non-member
My bad, for some reason I thought you were asking about GFO too. Someone else will have to chime in on the bio pellets as I have never used them.
Matt W
Chemist
I have a brs carbon/hc gfo phos reactor with a cobalt mj1200. Reduces phos. The reactor will hang nicely on the back with a little modification. Also you can run a uv inline if you desire. The flow is perfect for uv, not too fast.
I would also consider dosing vinegar. Vinegar is cheap, requires no equipment, can help reduce NO3 significantly /P (with both GFO and carbon dosing you actually need to watch for phos stripping or too low phos.) One more plus, vinegar does not seem to cause cyano problems like vodka can.
I would also consider dosing vinegar. Vinegar is cheap, requires no equipment, can help reduce NO3 significantly /P (with both GFO and carbon dosing you actually need to watch for phos stripping or too low phos.) One more plus, vinegar does not seem to cause cyano problems like vodka can.
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WOW! I never would have thought to do vinegar dosing. does anyone know about the chemistry there? Also, when you all say dosing carbon, are you talking about mixing it in with the reactor? I run a small amount of carbon by default in an emperor (very small amount) (2 ounces changed monthly)
Vinegar, vodka, and bio-pellets are all forms of organic carbon dosing. Carbon dosing allows increased bacterial growth which takes up nitrate and phosphate as the bacteria grows.
Activated carbon (the charcoal like stuff) is chemical filtration.
It's easy to get confused....
Activated carbon (the charcoal like stuff) is chemical filtration.
It's easy to get confused....
Use red sea NoPoX
It is similar to vinegar/vodka. I use it. It is dosed based on your levels with a chart.
Biopellets will cause cyano until they start working. Which can take weeks/months to get to amount you need.
With bio start with 1/8 of what you need. Add remaining over 2 months to keep cyano down
It is similar to vinegar/vodka. I use it. It is dosed based on your levels with a chart.
Biopellets will cause cyano until they start working. Which can take weeks/months to get to amount you need.
With bio start with 1/8 of what you need. Add remaining over 2 months to keep cyano down
Interesting. So my plan is: Two little fishies 150 reactor fed by rio 400 with the lowest dose of bio pellets (also two little fishies) I'm thinking 200 grams for my 72 gallons) outflowing through a 9w UV filter. All the while keeping a sharp eye on the skimmer for increased "output".
Matt W
Chemist
The link in my post discusses the biochemisty behind vodlka-vinegar ie organic carbon dosing.
