additives, carbon & rowaphos question

msayani2 · 11/26/2008, 05:55 AM

Hi.. this is my first message .. I just wanted to ask a couple of questions that i have not found right answers for .

1. Rowaphos- can I use this in my calcium reactor (if it has space in it)?

2. How long can i leave it in my tank system (48hrs only or continous for how long?)

3. Activated Carbon - can I use it inside my calcium reactor (with a mesh bag of course) (if it has space in it)?

4. How long can i leave it in my tank system? (ive heard 48 hrs every 2 weeks and 24/7 options but im not sure how to implement it)

5. I have a geo 618 calcium reactor with arm media and i wanted to use some additives.. i was wondering your opinion of the following products and which ones i should go for, for iodine,magnesium, calcium and other elements that need supplementation.

- ESV B-ionic
- Aqua C Complete
- Seachem reefplus and reef advantage calcium
- Ecosystem reef solutions

BTW what do u guys think about the balling method?

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

plateboy3293 · 11/26/2008, 07:52 AM

I don't use additives.

msayani2 · 11/26/2008, 08:22 AM

is a calcium reactor enough?

btw you must be using activated carbon and phosban or rowaphos... is it okay to put this in ure calcium reactor?

Thanks.

AZDesertRat · 11/26/2008, 08:25 AM

1. No. Granular Ferric Oxide and Granular Ferric Hydroxide products are meant to be used in a fluidized bed reactor or if one is not available in a bag in the sump or other area where flow will pass through it. The granular forms are very soft and break up easily so you do not want much current or velocity through them. Without flow they tend to clump up and get hard.

2. I use GFO continously. The vendors recommend starting out with about 1/2 the normal amount and work up to a full 150 grams or so over a period of time. Coral bleaching is common when too much is added too soon. I use 150 grams in a Phosban reactor with a MJ 400 powerhead feeding it. It lasts about 6 weeks to two months once you have the levels low enough, probably less time in the beginning until it gets the levels managable. It all depends on yout system.

3. No. The low pH in a calcium reactor will again make the material clump up or dissolve same as it would GFO. Calcium reactors are designed for calcium addition.

4. Same as GFO, it depends on the bio load and condition of your individual system. Different carbons have different performance too. I switched to pelletized carbon and really like it personally.

5. If you have a calcium reactor and it is set properly you should not need any calcium, magnesium or alkalinity adjustements. Once you have the balance right it should maintain it. No additives are needed or wanted, a good salt mix and regular water changes/maintenance are all that is needed.

Michael · 11/26/2008, 10:24 AM

i use rowa phos in a reactor with a maxi-jet 400 supplying the flow to it, i use carbon, i sometimes dose baking soda for alk, and im looking into kalkwasser for ph and calcium, i water change every 2 weeks and find levels are dropping a bit quicker lately so i may up the changes to weekly again

Playa-1 · 11/26/2008, 11:34 AM

All I use is Pickling lime and water changes. As far as filtration goes I use GFO and Carbon in media reactors in the sump along with an oversized Protein Skimmer.

View Poll Results: Which Additive to use?
ESV B-ionic	2	18.18%
Ecosystem reef solution	0	0%
Seachem reefplus + reef advantage calcium	1	9.09%
Kent Marine Tech A+B	2	18.18%
Balling Method	0	0%
I have a better idea (please state your idea)	6	54.55%
AquaC Complete	0	0%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

11/26/2008, 05:55 AM	#1
msayani2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 114	additives, carbon & rowaphos question Hi.. this is my first message .. I just wanted to ask a couple of questions that i have not found right answers for . 1. Rowaphos- can I use this in my calcium reactor (if it has space in it)? 2. How long can i leave it in my tank system (48hrs only or continous for how long?) 3. Activated Carbon - can I use it inside my calcium reactor (with a mesh bag of course) (if it has space in it)? 4. How long can i leave it in my tank system? (ive heard 48 hrs every 2 weeks and 24/7 options but im not sure how to implement it) 5. I have a geo 618 calcium reactor with arm media and i wanted to use some additives.. i was wondering your opinion of the following products and which ones i should go for, for iodine,magnesium, calcium and other elements that need supplementation. - ESV B-ionic - Aqua C Complete - Seachem reefplus and reef advantage calcium - Ecosystem reef solutions BTW what do u guys think about the balling method? Thanks and sorry for the long post. __________________ msayani2 Current Tank Info: 135G FOWLR/softies tank, 30G Sump, JNS sk2 skimmer,GEO 618 , Vertex RxU 2.0 GFO reac, 2xTunze 6105/Tunze 7096, 2x Kessil A360WE, Sicce 4 return pump

11/26/2008, 07:52 AM	#2
plateboy3293 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hillsborough, New Jersey Posts: 1,038	I don't use additives. __________________ Wars come and go but my soldiers stay eternal Current Tank Info: 155 gallon bow

11/26/2008, 08:22 AM	#3
msayani2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 114	is a calcium reactor enough? btw you must be using activated carbon and phosban or rowaphos... is it okay to put this in ure calcium reactor? Thanks. __________________ msayani2 Current Tank Info: 135G FOWLR/softies tank, 30G Sump, JNS sk2 skimmer,GEO 618 , Vertex RxU 2.0 GFO reac, 2xTunze 6105/Tunze 7096, 2x Kessil A360WE, Sicce 4 return pump

11/26/2008, 10:24 AM	#5
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i use rowa phos in a reactor with a maxi-jet 400 supplying the flow to it, i use carbon, i sometimes dose baking soda for alk, and im looking into kalkwasser for ph and calcium, i water change every 2 weeks and find levels are dropping a bit quicker lately so i may up the changes to weekly again __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

11/26/2008, 08:25 AM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	1. No. Granular Ferric Oxide and Granular Ferric Hydroxide products are meant to be used in a fluidized bed reactor or if one is not available in a bag in the sump or other area where flow will pass through it. The granular forms are very soft and break up easily so you do not want much current or velocity through them. Without flow they tend to clump up and get hard. 2. I use GFO continously. The vendors recommend starting out with about 1/2 the normal amount and work up to a full 150 grams or so over a period of time. Coral bleaching is common when too much is added too soon. I use 150 grams in a Phosban reactor with a MJ 400 powerhead feeding it. It lasts about 6 weeks to two months once you have the levels low enough, probably less time in the beginning until it gets the levels managable. It all depends on yout system. 3. No. The low pH in a calcium reactor will again make the material clump up or dissolve same as it would GFO. Calcium reactors are designed for calcium addition. 4. Same as GFO, it depends on the bio load and condition of your individual system. Different carbons have different performance too. I switched to pelletized carbon and really like it personally. 5. If you have a calcium reactor and it is set properly you should not need any calcium, magnesium or alkalinity adjustements. Once you have the balance right it should maintain it. No additives are needed or wanted, a good salt mix and regular water changes/maintenance are all that is needed.

11/26/2008, 11:34 AM	#6
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	All I use is Pickling lime and water changes. As far as filtration goes I use GFO and Carbon in media reactors in the sump along with an oversized Protein Skimmer.