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

[Madmak]

I think you need to run that test for us, just for kicks. It is likely out of range for the Hanna unit but it would be neat to know what level bright blue is.

[spit.fire]

Originally Posted by lastlight

Learn something new everyday thanks for that. Makes a ton of sense and makes us sound like mad scientists too which is a nice bonus.

What about vodka or vinegar

[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]

Originally Posted by Madmak

I think you need to run that test for us, just for kicks. It is likely out of range for the Hanna unit but it would be neat to know what level bright blue is.

We were afraid it would start smoking and light on fire

[spit.fire]

This may sound dumb but... From what I understand if I raise my bioload, biopellets will be more effective at removing phosphates?

[Madmak]

Originally Posted by spit.fire

This may sound dumb but... From what I understand if I raise my bioload, biopellets will be more effective?

That is true by coincidence. Fish and fish food typically add more Nitrates than Phosphates so it balances that ratio mentioned above.

With Phosphates that high and pellets you may need to dose liquid Big-Macs and Pop-Tarts for a few weeks.

[kien]

Originally Posted by Madmak

liquid Big-Macs

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

[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.

[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