High capacity gfo vs regular?

Why does BRS recommend this?

Phosphates are going to be one of the biggest battles we have with a reef aquarium.  The BRS GFO works even better in reactors due to it being denser than most other GFO.  The price is just about double of standard GFO however you only need to use half as much which equals out in the long run.  High Capacity is going to have less dust than almost all other GFO on the market and being able to buy it in bulk saves a ton of money.

High Capacity GFO is the best performing GFO we stock and capable of removing close to twice the phosphate as standard GFO by volume. We recommend this when you have a large tank or limited room in your media reactor.

Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO) removes phosphate from the aquarium and is one of the most commonly used filtration media used in the aquarium industry.  GFO is one of the few ways to easily maintain ultra low phosphate levels on a consistent basis. Maintaining these ultra low levels will help prevent algae outbreaks as well as treat existing algae issues. Your aquarium's glass will also stay clear and free of the green hue significantly longer. GFO is most commonly used in a media reactor like the BRS reactor or media bag.

Phosphate inhibits proper coral growth by incorporating itself into the corals skeletal structure which makes it difficult for the coral to grow by laying down additional calcium and carbonate (alkalinity) ions. Maintaining ultra low phosphate levels will increase the growth of any SPS or LPS coral.

Algae outbreaks are one of the most common reasons for a complete tank shut down. We recommend preventing them by maintaining an ultra-low nutrient level environment where it would be difficult for them to get out of control to begin with. It is much easier to prevent outbreaks than it is to treat existing outbreaks.

Two Types of GFO:

Special note on fighting existing algae problems: Algae needs three main nutrients to grow: phosphate, nitrate and light. Reducing any one of these will significantly slow down algae growth but may not completely solve your issue. Once algae takes hold, it can be a difficult battle but it is winnable. The best offense against algae is to take preventative measures and attack nutrient before an outbreak is apparent. Use the following suggestions and be aggressive if an algae problem is already present:

Note: All Bulk GFO is packaged by weight.

While slightly different from GFO, RowaPhos is made from fresh materials. However, GFO comes with two grades; regular and high capacity.

Unlike a GFO, RowaPhos can remove phosphates even in low concentrations. Finally, RowaPhos is only accessible to Europe, and they are hard to get in North America.

Anyway, this is nothing but just a short preview of the whole comparison. Read along if you want to know more in detail.

With that out of the way, let’s head right in –

Knowing key differences before jumping into an elaborate discussion can help you understand better. For instance, a preview of Mysis and Brine shrimps can help you understand the difference faster.

To help you with that, we’ve made a small chart for you –

So, which one do you think has more advantages?

Now that we have a quick preview of both of them, we can head to a detailed comparison.

RowaPhos is mainly produced in Germany. Thus European countries have better access. Initially, it was developed for cleansing water supplies throughout the country.

Although it doesn’t mean you can’t get them in the United States or anywhere else. Most of the time, aquarium owners need to buy these in bulk.

However, you can import it using shipping services. But that might cost a lot, depending on where you live.

On top of that, the average price of RowaPhos (500ml) is around $50. On the contrary, an average GFO should cost you around 30$ for a similar amount.

So, if you’re living outside of Europe, GFO might be the one you should stick to. They are easy to get and cheaper than RowaPhos.

Before everything else, we should know the structural difference. RowaPhos and GFO might be almost similar, but not entirely.

The full form of GFO is Granular Ferric Oxide. It is red-brownish, and as the name says, it does come granulated. On the contrary, RowaPhos is made of Ferric Hydroxide.

In science, particle size does matter when it comes to aqueous reactions. In short, if the surface area is bigger, it has more space to react.

As a result, larger particles cause rapid reactions.  And vice versa!

Between the two, Rowaphos has a smaller particle size than GFO. Therefore, it is safer for your aquarium since it will not remove phosphate super fast.

A sudden change in phosphate level can stress your coral growth. However, it can be good for certain situations (i.e., too much phosphate in your system).

On the other hand, GFO is super effective but with consequences. You may have to check on phosphate levels every once in a while.

That’s why we suggest having a phosphate testing kit for your system. It will help you calculate and take proper steps in different situations.

We’ve already mentioned the particles and how they affect phosphate removal. But sometimes, even regular capacity might not be enough for your system.

On the contrary, High Capacity GFO can remove phosphates with 2x more efficiency. So, there’s a fair chance it’ll endanger your corals and other fishes.

A rapid removal of phosphate may reduce your phosphate level to zero. This is something you would like to avoid. Like algae, corals also need phosphates.

So, the capacity you require depends on your phosphate level directly. One such instance is excess phosphates in your aquarium (5-10ppm).

In these cases, regular phosphate remover might not work best.

You’ve noticed that RowaPhos doesn’t have any higher-grade options. Therefore, its performance could potentially be bad in higher densities.

As we’ve already mentioned, RowaPhos has a slightly different structure. Unlike other GFO brands, it’s man-made and claimed to be unique by the makers.

RowaPhos is made for aquarium purposes only. Its removal capacity is greater than regular GFO.

But remember that Higher Capacity GFO products are better phosphate removers than regular GFOs and RowaPhos.

While RowaPhos may be a little pricey, they come with a nice bonus. They do not release the absorbed phosphates back into the water.

Even if the best phosphate remover reaches its absorbing limit, it causes exhaustion. When it happens, GFO products may/can release phosphates back into the water.

High Capacity GFOs may not get exhausted easily, but normal ones do. So, keep an eye on if you’re using a regular GFO.

On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about this if you’re using RowaPhos. It comes with an increased price, but it’s a nice luxury.

So, have you decided which one you’re getting? If you’re still struggling to choose between them, we can help you.

If you ask us, we are going to pick GFO. They are cheap and have two different grades. The only downside for GFOs is that you must check the phosphate level frequently.

If you think that will be inconvenient, you should go for RowaPhos. It does make your life easier while being slightly pricey.

Answer: Overdosing RowaPhos can hurt your overall alkalinity. If your system doesn’t have enough magnesium, this will cause an imbalance.

As a result, fish and corals will have a high chance of dying.

Always be sure to test the phosphate level before dosing. If the level is under 0.03 ppm, overdosing will harm your corals.

Answer: It is advised not to rinse RowaPhos before using. Although, in some cases, high usage of RowaPhos may turn your water brownish.

It only happens when some parts of the material get overused more than others.

Answer: Too many algae or zooxanthellae can be caused by high phosphate levels.

Also, it can cause algae blooms which produce algal toxins that harm fish and corals.

Managing phosphates in your reef tank can be quite a challenge because it's all about finding a balance. Not too high but not too low, finding that perfect level for your particular tank and corals. When it comes to managing phosphates here at BRS, BRS High Capacity GFO is our preferred media because it is effective, affordable, and provides double the protection against rising phosphates compared to standard granular ferric oxide (GFO) media.

Granular Ferric Oxide or GFO is a chemical media specifically designed to remove phosphates from saltwater aquariums. Similar to carbon, it is best used inside a media reactor but can also be placed in a filter media bag with proper water flow. The GFO traps and removes phosphates as the water passes through it. The media can only hold so much phosphate and the rate at which the media exhausts is dependant upon how much phosphate is in the aquarium water.  GFO will typically last 4-8 weeks under normal tank conditions but this could be much sooner for a situation where phosphates are elevated.

The BRS High Capacity GFO is very similar to most other standard GFO media, but it is twice as dense meaning it can hold twice as much phosphate. This means that you can use half as much as regular GFO and you can fit more phosphate absorbing power into less space. Reef tank owners can remove phosphates even on very large aquariums without having to pack media reactors to the brim with expensive media.

Being the BRS High Capacity media granules are harder and denser compared to competing media, it will have less dust right out of the package making it easier to rinse clean.  It is less likely to break down inside your media reactor as it tumbles and it won't compact into a solid block over time like softer GFO media tends to do.

This GFO is available in four different sizes including quarter, half, and one-gallon jars as well as a five-gallon bucket. Since you will need half as much of this GFO as a standard option, the quarter and half-gallon jars will last most standard-sized reef tanks a very long time. The two bigger options are ideal for large tank owners or those with multiple tanks.

Before adding GFO to your system, it is crucial to test your phosphate levels and write down the results. Measure and add the appropriate amount of media for your aquarium and test phosphate levels weekly thereafter.

If your levels are within range (0.01 - 0.04 PPM), to begin with, the media will last 4 - 8 weeks under normal tank conditions. If phosphates levels are elevated, to begin with, your first batch of media will likely become exhausted within only 1-2 weeks' time and should be replaced when you notice phosphate levels beginning to rise. Your second batch of media should then last much longer.

The best approach is to simply test your tank on a regular basis, when phosphate levels begin to rise out of range, you know it is time to swap out your GFO. Never let it run longer than 8 weeks and it is better to not run any GFO at all than to allow exhausted media to stay in the tank.Learn More: Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO) Instructions

Before adding GFO to your system, we recommend thoroughly rinsing it to remove any dust. We suggest replacing all of your GFO after 4-8 weeks or when you see the phosphates beginning to rise again during testing. To get the most out of your media, using a reactor such as the BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor Deluxe is the best option. These reactors will allow you to easily rinse out your GFO and gently tumble it to prevent compacting while increasing its longevity and efficiency. In nano tanks where space is at a premium, simply placing GFO in a media bag within your filter sock will work wonders, and the required amount is so minimal that cost won’t become a factor.