Didn't bother going any further with the test...

[kien]

Originally Posted by Madmak

liquid Big-Macs

Do these exist? PLEASE TELL ME MOAR!!!!1111!!!eleven!!!11!

[Lance]

Originally Posted by asylumdown

In most cases (and yours, most likely), people have phosphate well in excess of the redfield ratio relative to nitrates, so after the biopellets reduce nitrate to trace/undetectable levels, they're left with the balance of phosphates that can only be brought down by GFO. I've been running Biopellets since day one, and without GFO, my phosphates can climb as high as 0.08ppm (tested by hanna), while my nitrates stay undetectable.

Same here. I find running Biopellets and GFO the best way to go with my tank. By running both I can keep PO4 and NO3 at satisfactory levels. I use about 750ml of GFO and have to change it out about every 5 to 6 weeks before PO4 levels start creeping up.

[freezetyle]

Hanna checkers top out at 2.50. so my guess is thats what value would come up. i would probably do the biopellet/vinegar method and then just run that combined with gfo after your levels drop out a bit. that way you can at least save some money on gfo while things drop.

[FragIt Dan]

Vodka, vinegar and biopellets all add carbon into your system, which is a limiting nutrient for bacteriological growth. The bacteria then grow much faster taking up Nitrogen, Phosphate and the added carbon in the process. Whether you add the carbon as vodka or biopellets has little to no effect on the rate of bacterial growth, and thus the uptake and removal of the nutrients by your skimmer.

Originally Posted by spit.fire

What about vodka or vinegar

[spit.fire]

So where does one buy bulk gfo? Say like 5g of it :s

[PFoster]

I dont normally recommend using chemicals but if your PO4 is that high I would probably get some Phos down (sorry this is probably the wrong name, I know its a liquid product from Seacare) to dose to the tank to reduces your PO4 as its so high.

Then use a good quality GFO.
Fauna Marin and Rowa would be the two best product then TLF IMO

[spit.fire]

So operation po4 b gone has officially started

There is officially almost no sand left in my tank

[TimT]

Hi,

Patrick is correct that I use and produce Foz Down for Phosphate Removal. Thanks Patrick

IME Using Foz Down to bring down excessive Phosphates is the quickest, easiest and most economical method. If your phosphate is >2.5 then your rocks probably have bound up Phosphate as well. As you lower your Phosphate levels the rocks will release it back into the water. I would recommend using Foz Down to eliminate the Phosphate and then you can use your method of choice to keep it low.

If you have any questions I would be glad to answer them.

Cheers,
Tim

[Duker]

Don't forget though, if you use a chemical phosphate remover you will need filter socks to catch the precipitate. The chemical Po4 removers remove it fast, but there will be some precipitate that will collect in ur sump and the water will probably go a little cloudy from the precipitate forming. I would get two or three socks to switch change them out every other day, rinse them,hang them to dry and repeat. Good luck with the Po4 battle, stay diligent, u will win in the end!

[spit.fire]

Instead of lowering the phosphates I'm gonna leave them as is...

I've decided to shut the tank down and go to a smaller system
From 300g total system volume to a 135 g tank (72x24" footprint) and start fresh with the battle, ill still be fighting it with the Rock as most of the rock will be reused but I'm gonna go with new sand (course sand and about 1/2" thick