Rock from a miracle mud setup - PO4 issue

janco · 01/24/2006, 07:31 PM

Anyway, I some rock yesterday yesterday that came from a tank that used a Miracle Mud setup as its filtration (no skimmer). It stank when I picked it up, but I was told by the guy that sold me the rock that was normal for rock from this kind of setup. So I took a gamble when I bought it, figuring I could clean it up in a curing tank quickly. After all, it was cheap

After putting the rock in a fresh vat of saltwater and letting it cook overnite with a powerhead running, I get minimal (if any) ammonia, but my phosphates are high (1.0 ppm). Is this normal with this kind of rock? I assume it might be given the setup it was in previously. What do you guys think my best approach would be to bring the PO4 down? I don't have an extra skimmer I can use, but I do have a powerfilter that I can run carbon through. I also have a Phosban Reactor I could hook up. Would one of those work? How long do you think it'll take to put a dent in these levels of PO4 in 30 lbs of rock in 15 gallons of water?

I can see alot of water changes coming...

TIA,

jan

Gobie · 01/24/2006, 07:36 PM

Blow out the detritus good, I run a ecosystem type setup no skimmer, they donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t run filter pads so the detritus just builds up in the tank this is where all your phosphates are coming from.

Gobie · 01/24/2006, 07:37 PM

He probably never blown out the rock work when he did water changes.

01/24/2006, 07:31 PM	#1
janco Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: the North Country Posts: 649	Rock from a miracle mud setup - PO4 issue Anyway, I some rock yesterday yesterday that came from a tank that used a Miracle Mud setup as its filtration (no skimmer). It stank when I picked it up, but I was told by the guy that sold me the rock that was normal for rock from this kind of setup. So I took a gamble when I bought it, figuring I could clean it up in a curing tank quickly. After all, it was cheap After putting the rock in a fresh vat of saltwater and letting it cook overnite with a powerhead running, I get minimal (if any) ammonia, but my phosphates are high (1.0 ppm). Is this normal with this kind of rock? I assume it might be given the setup it was in previously. What do you guys think my best approach would be to bring the PO4 down? I don't have an extra skimmer I can use, but I do have a powerfilter that I can run carbon through. I also have a Phosban Reactor I could hook up. Would one of those work? How long do you think it'll take to put a dent in these levels of PO4 in 30 lbs of rock in 15 gallons of water? I can see alot of water changes coming... TIA, jan __________________ janco (aka Santa) USAF 72'-92' Retired wow, bears really do poo in the woods in some places... Current Tank Info: Once upon a time...

01/24/2006, 07:36 PM	#2
Gobie Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 668	Blow out the detritus good, I run a ecosystem type setup no skimmer, they donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t run filter pads so the detritus just builds up in the tank this is where all your phosphates are coming from.

01/24/2006, 07:37 PM	#3
Gobie Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 668	He probably never blown out the rock work when he did water changes.