any oppinions on phosphate removal media

[gixxerboy707]

I just bought a phosban reactor and was wondering if anyones had good experiences with any particular brands?

[demonsp]

If you already have a phosphate problems then the reator will only reduce and may not eliminate. This is only another tool we use for more control.

[gixxerboy707]

oh sorry any oppinons of media brands phosban, rowaphos?

[Aquarist007]

here is a great thread on this:
last septembers thread of the month

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1182318

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by demonsp
If you already have a phosphate problems then the reator will only reduce and may not eliminate. This is only another tool we use for more control.

I think lance means if you have algae problems

I agree you have to find or limit the source of importing the phosphated first before setting up a phosban reactor

[Aquarist007]

I just copied out a list of some of the things that you can do to reduce phosphates on this thread

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1325556

[Mavrk]

Here is a thread about this:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ostid=11277087

JDieck recommended PHOSar after his tests. I just started using it and it is much better then the Dr.F&S stuff.

[demonsp]

Sorry never used any phosphate or had the need to . My only advice was if you have it then a reactor wont cure.But if you have none and just want a cool tool then go for it. Im sure any mid priced unit would be fine in a "for more control on water quality" issue.

[Aquarist007]

I have had excellent results from using two phosban reactors
One for running carbon and one for running phosban.
The reactors force the water through the media rather then it taking the easy way around it so that more of the media is in contact with the water for maximun adsorption.
The prime reason for running carbon is to reduce a group of organic compounds which cause yellowing of the water. However there is some adsorption of phosphates nitrates by it and the carbon is used by the good bacteria in your tank.

Since the introduction of the reactors and the maturity of my refugium my algae problems have dissappeared completely.

Granted you must take steps ot reduce the import of phophates first or they won't be as effective.
Indeed, they are "cool tools" and they work.

[Shooter7]

I have been using PHOSaR for several months and very happy with it. Just started using the HC (high capacity) recently.

With regards to not being a "cure", I had some stubborn nuisance algae that got going in my tank a little over a year ago. I made changes in food, flow, maintenance, but wasn't until I added the reactor that I saw the algae take a real hit. I feel it was absolutely instrumental in ridding my tank of this algae and would highly recommend one to someone experiencing the same dilemma. It may not be the "sole" way to tackle the problem, but I'd say it is some heavy artillery you can bring in to pound the algae with.

[THP]

has anyone tried using a secondary or third for nitrate absorption with some type of nitrate remover?

[OranguTang]

I am also using PHOSaR and it is great. I plan to switch to the HC after this batch is exhausted.

[seapug]

I've found Phosphate removal media to be extremely effective in reducing and maintaining a very low level of Phosphate. I would actually go so far as to call it a "cure" for a common problem that can be vrey difficult to control despite good husbandry and rigorous maintenance. I've only used TLf PhosBan but just purchased a can of RowaPhos I am going to try this weekend. I run two reactors like Hylinur-- one with carbon the other with GFO. It's time to change the carbon this weekend, too, but I picked up a container of Purigen that I'm going to try to see if there's any difference. Purigen is supposed to be a very good product-- similar to carbon but is a supposed to be better at Nitrate adsorbtion.

[ihopss]

A RDSB would be a answner for nitrate,and a lot less $ to.
I have been using Kent Phosphate Sponge and it has helped alot.

[OranguTang]

Originally posted by seapug
I've found Phosphate removal media to be extremely effective in reducing and maintaining a very low level of Phosphate. I would actually go so far as to call it a "cure" for a common problem that can be vrey difficult to control despite good husbandry and rigorous maintenance. I've only used TLf PhosBan but just purchased a can of RowaPhos I am going to try this weekend. I run two reactors like Hylinur-- one with carbon the other with GFO. It's time to change the carbon this weekend, too, but I picked up a container of Purigen that I'm going to try to see if there's any difference. Purigen is supposed to be a very good product-- similar to carbon but is a supposed to be better at Nitrate adsorbtion.

Oh how I love purigen...BUT it will float right through the mesh sponge in the TLF reactor. I tried......did not work at all. I would love to use some purigen in my second reactor if you find a cure....

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by THP
has anyone tried using a secondary or third for nitrate absorption with some type of nitrate remover?

before I would rely on that I would setup a refugium with lots of chaeto algae in it----great uptaker of nitrates and phosphates---as long as you harvest the chaeto regularily.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Shooter7
I have been using PHOSaR for several months and very happy with it. Just started using the HC (high capacity) recently.

With regards to not being a "cure", I had some stubborn nuisance algae that got going in my tank a little over a year ago. I made changes in food, flow, maintenance, but wasn't until I added the reactor that I saw the algae take a real hit. I feel it was absolutely instrumental in ridding my tank of this algae and would highly recommend one to someone experiencing the same dilemma. It may not be the "sole" way to tackle the problem, but I'd say it is some heavy artillery you can bring in to pound the algae with.

Dave, what did you before that..I switched to rowphos to try it out by a suggestion of my suppiles guy. I have had a bit of nuisance algae on the glass again that I did not have with the phosban

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by seapug
I've found Phosphate removal media to be extremely effective in reducing and maintaining a very low level of Phosphate. I would actually go so far as to call it a "cure" for a common problem that can be vrey difficult to control despite good husbandry and rigorous maintenance. I've only used TLf PhosBan but just purchased a can of RowaPhos I am going to try this weekend. I run two reactors like Hylinur-- one with carbon the other with GFO. It's time to change the carbon this weekend, too, but I picked up a container of Purigen that I'm going to try to see if there's any difference. Purigen is supposed to be a very good product-- similar to carbon but is a supposed to be better at Nitrate adsorbtion.

Hi Seapug
I see you changed your avitar too--hope your dog is still ok

is it a carbon product? After RH-F stated that carbon helped the production of usefull bacteria in the tank I have continued to use it rather then anything else

[mg426]

I have had the best success using ROWAPHOS.

[Shooter7]

I theorized that my algae problems were multifactoral. Based on what I described in that other thread, I presumed it was partially from leaching nutrients from some of my rock that had come from a fellow reefer's high nutrient system, from my use of flake food, and perhaps smaller factors of needing a bit more flow to kick up waste and get it down to the sump. So, I started out by getting my tunze pumps and increasing my flow, then an increased schedule of using a turkey baster to really clear the rocks out well. I then went to the grocery store and bought up some seafood products, took them home and processed them into a nice soup that I froze in plastic baggies and now have that to use for feeding. While that was all good, it wasn't until I put the reactor on that the algae really took a hit and slowly went away.

[seapug]

Originally posted by OranguTang
Oh how I love purigen...BUT it will float right through the mesh sponge in the TLF reactor. I tried......did not work at all. I would love to use some purigen in my second reactor if you find a cure....

Good point....but I have my reactors daisy chained so the flow through the one containing the Carbon is just as slow as the one containing the GFO but is run on reverse (down instead of up). If that still doesn't work perhaps a piece of mesh bag cut to fit over the bottom sponge might keep it from happening. I'll try it and let you know if it does solve the prob.

[Mavrk]

Originally posted by Shooter7
I have been using PHOSaR for several months and very happy with it. Just started using the HC (high capacity) recently.

With regards to not being a "cure", I had some stubborn nuisance algae that got going in my tank a little over a year ago. I made changes in food, flow, maintenance, but wasn't until I added the reactor that I saw the algae take a real hit. I feel it was absolutely instrumental in ridding my tank of this algae and would highly recommend one to someone experiencing the same dilemma. It may not be the "sole" way to tackle the problem, but I'd say it is some heavy artillery you can bring in to pound the algae with.

You'll have to post how the HC stuff is. I figure it might be faster at pulling out the phosphate, but not last as long when compared to the regular PHOSar (much like rowaphos). Of course that is just a theory, so I would like to know what you think of it.

[seapug]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
Hi Seapug
I see you changed your avitar too--hope your dog is still ok

is it a carbon product? After RH-F stated that carbon helped the production of usefull bacteria in the tank I have continued to use it rather then anything else

Yeah, decided it was time. No worries, Mr. Pickle is perfectly fine and happy. He'll be back again.

Purigen is a resin based media that works similar to Carbon but is an adsorber like GFO. Looks like tiny white beads. I've never used it but it is supposed to be better than carbon and will actually strip nitrate like GFO strips Phosphate. I don't have a nitrate problem but I'm just curious how if it will work vs. the carbon I typically use.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Shooter7
I theorized that my algae problems were multifactoral. Based on what I described in that other thread, I presumed it was partially from leaching nutrients from some of my rock that had come from a fellow reefer's high nutrient system, from my use of flake food, and perhaps smaller factors of needing a bit more flow to kick up waste and get it down to the sump. So, I started out by getting my tunze pumps and increasing my flow, then an increased schedule of using a turkey baster to really clear the rocks out well. I then went to the grocery store and bought up some seafood products, took them home and processed them into a nice soup that I froze in plastic baggies and now have that to use for feeding. While that was all good, it wasn't until I put the reactor on that the algae really took a hit and slowly went away.

that a good testimonial for the reactors

I thought you meant you chanted the type of GFO that you were using and could notice a difference

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by seapug
Yeah, decided it was time. No worries, Mr. Pickle is perfectly fine and happy. He'll be back again.

Purigen is a resin based media that works similar to Carbon but is an adsorber like GFO. Looks like tiny white beads. I've never used it but it is supposed to be better than carbon and will actually strip nitrate like GFO strips Phosphate. I don't have a nitrate problem but I'm just curious how if it will work vs. the carbon I typically use.

sounds interesting---keep us posted

Mr Pickles would you believe that a buddy of mine had a pug with the same name about 15 years ago

if its like yours they are definetly not reef safe
(it fell through the ice and drown one winter)