GFO vs PO4x4

[Ed Hahn]

Hello Boomer,
There is a talk of GFO putting iron back into reef tank. Therefore promoting algae growth. Is there any way to learn if that is fact or fiction?

I am thinking too much iron would not be good.
That is PO4x4s driving point.

thanks in advance,
Ed

 

[Ed Hahn]

PO4x4 Phosphate Remover write up...

My nitrate and phosphate levels are close to zero, but algae is growing ! Sounds familiar ?

Maintaining the levels of waste products low while feeding your animals on a regular basis is essential for keeping invertebrates and fish in good health. In microbial well balanced aquaria, the two major pollutants are nitrates and phosphates. With current use of NP-Reducing BioPellets, it has become very easy to maintain nitrates and phosphate levels close to zero, however, in most tanks there is still a surplus of phosphates. Phosphate levels exceeding 0.03 ppm will negatively affect coral growth and higher levels will also negatively influence the health of your fish. In addition, high phosphate levels enhance the growth of annoying algae and cyanobacteria. Most of current phosphate reducing products are based on granular ferric hydroxide and leak iron-ions into your tank, which is enhancing algae growth and inhibiting coral growth and have a tendency to start clumping together, thus reducing its effectiveness.

Almost every other iron based GFO is releasing iron-ions to the water up to 10 times more than natural seawater levels. This is tested and confirmed at the university of Wageningen, Holland. The tests were done with a inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer.

Our novel PO4X4 Phosphate Remover is a unique chemical engineered polymer based mini pellets that does not have these down sides. In other words, there is hardly any leaking of Iron-ions, the pellets do not clump together and can be readily used in fluidized filters. They have a very high surface area and can absorb approximately 4 times more phosphate then most other phosphate removing products. 250 ml will remove 3 ppm of phosphate and silicate from roughly 8.000 liter of fresh water or 4.000 liter of marine water. Do not overdose! Rapid changes in phosphate can negatively affect your animals. Use small amounts of PO4X4 to gradually lower the phosphate levels in your aquarium.

PO4X4 is now availeble in 250ml and 500ml. PO4X4 works in perfect harmony with our NP Reducing BioPellets and ReefPearls.

 

[Boomer]

Hi Ed, sorry I'm late but have been busy lately with lots of stuff going on.

There is a talk of GFO putting iron back into reef tank. Therefore promoting algae growth. Is there any way to learn if that is fact or fiction?

No, it is no fiction but fact but should not be an issue, as most reef tanks are more depleted of iron than any other ion and need iron. Many reefers dose iron.

This so called new GFO is not new. PolyLabs use to make on called Opti-Phos.

These are just GFO with a poly coating. The have shown no proof that it does not leach iron out, it is just a claim. All I see is marketing hype. It may be more on the order as Randy suggested the other day that it is likely to break apart less, thus exposing less free GFO which *may leach iron which normal GFO * may do. Humm, how come when people test their tanks for iron using GFO they do not see all this iron ???

 

[Ed Hahn]

Thank you Boomer!
I will most likely just stick with a good grade of GFO.
I am having issues with people using cleaning products while I am maintaining a Reef Tank in a Public environment.
I will most likely use Carbon and GFO to hopefully slow things down.

Always appreciate your help and guidance!
Ed Hahn

 

[Boomer]

OK Ed