Cost effective Phosphate control

[Raven900]

HI,
I have an admission. I have... Phosphate. Lol.
I have a 1000l mixed reef that's been running for nearly 4 years and I always struggle with PO4 control. I've been running biopellets for years but it seems that no matter how many pellets I use or how much skimming I can't keep PO4 levels at 0 (Hanna). I do have a high bioload but I'd like to be able to keep a lot of fish. I suspect there may be some PO4 leaching from my rocks after years of low-but-not-zero PO4 levels.
I've tried supplementing with Nitrogen (Flourish Nitrogen) and I think this helps but doesn't solve it, and it's fiddly to keep a slight amount of N available without adding too much.
I don't really want to use LaCl.
I've set up a Caleurpa refugium and a Chaeto ball as well but they are slow and may not reduce PO4 enough. I'm going to construct a macroalgae reactor for the Chaeto, see if that helps. I'm considering a DIY algae scrubber but it's a big project. I think it might be the only solution but it'll take me a while to implement.
GFO is the easy solution but it's expensive. I've been using some lately with good results on coral colour and health but I don't want to keep paying that sort of money long term. I might need to do this in the short term though - what's the most cost effective GFO medium, in people's opinion?

Any other input or personal experience greatly appreciated.

[Onsan]

either aluminium or ferric based with caustic regeneration would be the cheapest, but also most labour intensive.

[Raven]

do some large water changes to bring the levels back down and then implement a GFO reactor to keep it down.
Seems like your pellets are doing the job but your N and P ratios are off so the water changes should reset this.
I used to have high phos and this is what i did and after that my N and P levels were 0 or barely visible on my salifert or red sea test kits.

[Raven900]

Hi Raven (nice nickname),
Thanks for your reply. Maybe my post didn't paint the right picture.... my PO4 levels are ok (usually <0.05 on Hanna) and I tweak N using supplementation to keep the N/P ratio in the right range for the pellets to do their job.
I've been using a GFO reactor and it works, but gets expensive to replace GFO on my 1000l system.
I guess I'm asking what's the cheapest GFO in people's opinion? I will keep using GFO until I can get algae based solutions up and running.

[wayne2.0]

Cost v effect you cant beat lath

[Onsan]

oh yeah...how'd I forget that.

[PranK]

I'm sorry but what is LaCl?

Have you tried dosing carbon?

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[Raven900]

LaCl = Lanthanum Chloride.

As I mentioned, I've been using biopellets for years, they are a carbon source.
But I have started vinegar dosing too, see if that helps.

No one got an opinion on cheapest GFO?

[PranK]

Thanks.
I'm a big fan of keeping things natural. i have a heap of caulerpa in my fuge. How many hours of light does your fuge get?

Dosing vinegar/vodka is great but takes a fair while to actually see results, it's definitely not a fast process.

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[Raven]

Hi Raven (nice nickname),
Thanks for your reply. Maybe my post didn't paint the right picture.... my PO4 levels are ok (usually <0.05 on Hanna) and I tweak N using supplementation to keep the N/P ratio in the right range for the pellets to do their job.
I've been using a GFO reactor and it works, but gets expensive to replace GFO on my 1000l system.
I guess I'm asking what's the cheapest GFO in people's opinion? I will keep using GFO until I can get algae based solutions up and running.

Hahah your user name is what caught my eye to this post.

Like some people here lanth is likely the most cost effective and fastest way to reduce PO4.

Otherwise any gfo brand will do. in terms of which one is cheaper im not sure but seachem, rowa and continumm tend to be highly rated and efficient.