IceCap High Capacity GFO Filter Media

IceCap High Capacity GFO Filter Media

IceCap High Capacity (HC) GFO is the premier choice for reef keepers who demand the highest efficiency in nutrient management. While standard GFO is effective, IceCap’s High Capacity version is chemically engineered to be much denser and more robust. This means that for every tablespoon added to your system, you are providing nearly double the surface area and adsorption capacity of traditional media. It is the ultimate solution for high-bioload systems where phosphate levels are difficult to manage.

The primary advantage of the High Capacity grade is its physical hardness. Standard GFO can be brittle, often breaking down into fine orange dust if the flow in a reactor is set too high. IceCap HC GFO is significantly more durable, resisting mechanical breakdown and ensuring that the media remains effective for much longer. Because it lasts longer and processes more, it is more cost-effective for large systems, as it requires fewer media swaps and less maintenance time. Whether you are aiming for an Ultra-Low Nutrient System (ULNS) or simply want to stop nuisance algae in its tracks, IceCap High Capacity GFO provides professional-grade results.

Key Features:

• High-Density Granules: Pack more phosphate-removing power into your reactor without increasing its physical size.

• Longevity: Stays active up to twice as long as standard GFO, providing more stable water chemistry over time.

• Silicate Adsorption: Effectively targets the silicates that cause diatom blooms on your sand and glass.

• Safe for Inhabitants: Iron-based and non-leaching; safe for the most delicate SPS corals and reef invertebrates.

• Clean Performance: Highly resistant to "clumping" or "cementing," ensuring consistent water flow through the media.

When to Change:

• Effluent Testing: Check the phosphate level of the water exiting the reactor. When it begins to rise, the media is nearing exhaustion.

• Correlated Testing: If display tank phosphates begin to creep up despite consistent feeding and maintenance, the High Capacity GFO has reached its limit.

How to Use:

• Dosage: Generally, use 1 tablespoon per 8 gallons of aquarium water.

• Placement: Use in a media reactor 9preferred for fluidization) or a mesh filter bag.

• Caution: Monitor phosphate level carefully to avoid rapid drops, which can stress or damage corals.

• Maintenance: Replace every 4 to 8 weeks, or when phosphate levels start to rise again.

• User Tips: Start slowly since GFO removes phosphates quickly and effectively to avoid shocking your aquarium.

Instructions:

1. Rinse Before Use: Although it is lower in dust than standard GFO, always rinse the media with RO/DI water until the runoff is clear to prevent initial tank cloudiness.

2. Dosage: Use 1/2 tablespoon (approx. 7g) per 10 gallons of water for systems with low phosphates. For systems with high phosphates, use 1 tablespoon per 10 gallons.

3. Reactor Setup: Unlike standard GFO, High Capacity GFO is heavier and requires slightly more flow to fluidize. Adjust your pump so the top 1/2 inch of the media is gently tumbling.

4. Slow Acclimation: If your system has very high phosphates, do not drop them to zero overnight. Start with a 50% dose of GFO to avoid stressing corals.

5. Replacement: High Capacity GFO typically lasts 8–12 weeks in a stable system, but should be replaced sooner if phosphate levels begin to rise.

Pro Tips:

• Heavier is Better. Because HC GFO is more dense, it won't fly around your reactor as easily as standard GFO. This allows you to use a more powerful pump setting to ensure no "dead zones" exist in the media chamber without the risk of the media washing out into the sump.

• Stability Over Speed. Reef tanks thrive on stability. High Capacity GFO is excellent because it depletes phosphates slowly and steadily. If you see your corals' colors "dulling," you may be stripping the water too clean; try reducing the amount of media or the flow rate through the reactor.

• The Vinegar Trick. If your GFO "cements" together due to high calcium/alkalinity dosing, a quick rinse in a weak vinegar solution during your monthly maintenance can often break the granules apart and extend the media's life.

Warning: Keep out of reach of children.