Why I Ditched GFO For an Algae Reactor

During all my years keeping reef tanks I have always stuck by what has worked for me and resisted change. For instance, I have had great results using metal halide lighting for my SPS dominated tanks and have resisted jumping on the LED bandwagon despite the success of others using this type of light. In fact, I like to use a particular “system” or a standard set of equipment to run a reef tank and have been hesitant to change an individual component given my fear it would upset the balance of the tank. One of those components is Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO) and I have always used it to keep phosphates in check, despite my love/hate relationship with it. On the plus side it is