phosphate remover

hangles · 04/28/2006, 09:42 AM

looking for a phosphate remover to put in my 404 canister. what is the best type or brand to use?
thanks harold

Avi · 04/28/2006, 10:15 AM

Well, there are many good effective ones, but for the most part, Rowaphos is considered one of the very best of them. It is more expensive than other. When I decided to add a phosphate reactor to my system, I chose Rowaphos for that reason. My phosphates have all but disappeared but I'm not certain if it's the Rowaphos or the new light I put over the Chaeto in my refugium at the same time, because the Chaeto started growing very fast at that time. Still, I'd stick with the Rowaphos.

hangles · 04/28/2006, 01:15 PM

thanks AVI
where do you buy yours at? and what kind of light are you using on your chaeto. mine isnt growing at all!

Avi · 04/28/2006, 02:28 PM

I bought the Rowaphos at

www.marinedepot.com

It's pretty costly but I don't know if you can get it for any less anywhere else.

The Chaeto in my refugium hadn't been growing with a light bulb that was very highly recommended here in RC, but then about one month ago I put this light over it:

http://www.lightsofamerica.com/floods.htm

...and the Chaeto started growing like crazy, so much so that it really reduced the nitrates which consistently read 30 to 35, down to 5. I'd use this fixture, for sure. I got it at Home Depot.

leeweber85 · 04/28/2006, 02:46 PM

I never have used rowaphos before but I use Phos-Guard and it works good. Anything would be better than nothing

Newreeflady · 04/28/2006, 03:34 PM

Phos-Guard is known to leach Aluminum I believe. I just purchased some Phosban, haven't tried it yet, though, but it is a little cheaper than Rowa.

-A

CrystalAZ · 04/28/2006, 03:44 PM

Any of the iron oxide-based (red) ones like Rowaphos and Phosban are good. Avoid the white granule type (aluminum oxide) - it leaches phosphates back in.

Crystal

asnatlas · 04/28/2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Avi
The Chaeto in my refugium hadn't been growing with a light bulb that was very highly recommended here in RC, but then about one month ago I put this light over it:

http://www.lightsofamerica.com/floods.htm

...and the Chaeto started growing like crazy, so much so that it really reduced the nitrates which consistently read 30 to 35, down to 5. I'd use this fixture, for sure. I got it at Home Depot.

I am glad to hear you say that

I picked up that same 65w flood at HD that I will be placing over my ref on my 850gal system...

asnatlas · 04/28/2006, 04:05 PM

NOTE : When using a phosphate remover for the first time please do so slowly as a rapid drop in phosphate will result in stress / bleaching on your corals which is not good...

Avi · 04/28/2006, 08:03 PM

Well, asnatlas, this may be off the original subject of phosphate reducing agents, but hangles is also interested, so I think it's okay to say that I think you'll be really happy with that light. It took about four weeks or so to see some drop in the nitrates, but then, fairly rapidly, they dropped significantly more. I was ready to buy a sulfur denitrator....and I still am...but I don't know if it's necessary any more. Just today I got that 5ppm reading, so I'm gonna watch this closely and then decide if the refugium's been totally successful.

xclan · 04/28/2006, 09:35 PM

I have many of those Lights of amrica Lights....if anyone wants one let me know...I would sell them for 15$ each, plus shipping...they are 40$ at home depot 6500k lights

willjeff · 04/28/2006, 09:40 PM

I think I am going to try and turn my old sea clone skimmer into a reactor for rowa, has anyone done this before.

Ti · 04/28/2006, 10:52 PM

ROWA, Phos guard

jer77 · 04/28/2006, 11:52 PM

I am still interested in the topic of phosphate absorbers. I have noticed a difference in rowaphos and phosban. I have used them both. Rowa seems to be black not brown and phosban seems to be a brownish color. I have heard the darker, blacker the media the better. I have also tried Kent's version of the iron oxide absorbant. I have noticed phosban dissolves or breaks down easier and clogs the reactor easier. Kent's version seems to be equivelent to rowaphos in my opinion, and a lot less money. I believe Knop and magnapure also makes the same stuff for cheaper.

Reefugee · 04/29/2006, 12:12 AM

According to this study, Rowa and Phosban both appear to work well. I use Phosban because it's cheaper.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...004/review.htm

04/28/2006, 09:42 AM	#1
hangles Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: nashport ohio Posts: 948	phosphate remover looking for a phosphate remover to put in my 404 canister. what is the best type or brand to use? thanks harold __________________ I like fishy crackers ! Current Tank Info: 75 gal reef/ 55 gal puffer/ 20 gal fowlr/ 10 gal fowlr

04/28/2006, 10:15 AM	#2
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	Well, there are many good effective ones, but for the most part, Rowaphos is considered one of the very best of them. It is more expensive than other. When I decided to add a phosphate reactor to my system, I chose Rowaphos for that reason. My phosphates have all but disappeared but I'm not certain if it's the Rowaphos or the new light I put over the Chaeto in my refugium at the same time, because the Chaeto started growing very fast at that time. Still, I'd stick with the Rowaphos. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

04/28/2006, 01:15 PM	#3
hangles Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: nashport ohio Posts: 948	thanks AVI where do you buy yours at? and what kind of light are you using on your chaeto. mine isnt growing at all! __________________ I like fishy crackers ! Current Tank Info: 75 gal reef/ 55 gal puffer/ 20 gal fowlr/ 10 gal fowlr

04/28/2006, 02:28 PM	#4
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	I bought the Rowaphos at www.marinedepot.com It's pretty costly but I don't know if you can get it for any less anywhere else. The Chaeto in my refugium hadn't been growing with a light bulb that was very highly recommended here in RC, but then about one month ago I put this light over it: http://www.lightsofamerica.com/floods.htm ...and the Chaeto started growing like crazy, so much so that it really reduced the nitrates which consistently read 30 to 35, down to 5. I'd use this fixture, for sure. I got it at Home Depot. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

04/28/2006, 02:46 PM	#5
leeweber85 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 2,482	I never have used rowaphos before but I use Phos-Guard and it works good. Anything would be better than nothing __________________ -Lee Current Tank Info: 120g reef, 20g reef

04/28/2006, 03:34 PM	#6
Newreeflady Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 4,840	Phos-Guard is known to leach Aluminum I believe. I just purchased some Phosban, haven't tried it yet, though, but it is a little cheaper than Rowa. -A __________________ A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. “You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup.” Current Tank Info: 56g, 20g.

04/28/2006, 03:44 PM	#7
CrystalAZ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NW Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,130	Any of the iron oxide-based (red) ones like Rowaphos and Phosban are good. Avoid the white granule type (aluminum oxide) - it leaches phosphates back in. Crystal __________________ SAVE THE BRISTLEWORMS! The BPA reminds you that "Bristleworms are our pals." Current Tank Info: Check out my gallery for lots of tank pics

04/28/2006, 04:05 PM	#9
asnatlas Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waukee, IA Posts: 4,198	NOTE : When using a phosphate remover for the first time please do so slowly as a rapid drop in phosphate will result in stress / bleaching on your corals which is not good... __________________ Shawn

04/28/2006, 08:03 PM	#10
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	Well, asnatlas, this may be off the original subject of phosphate reducing agents, but hangles is also interested, so I think it's okay to say that I think you'll be really happy with that light. It took about four weeks or so to see some drop in the nitrates, but then, fairly rapidly, they dropped significantly more. I was ready to buy a sulfur denitrator....and I still am...but I don't know if it's necessary any more. Just today I got that 5ppm reading, so I'm gonna watch this closely and then decide if the refugium's been totally successful. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

04/28/2006, 09:35 PM	#11
xclan Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ridgecrest(SoCal) Posts: 78	I have many of those Lights of amrica Lights....if anyone wants one let me know...I would sell them for 15$ each, plus shipping...they are 40$ at home depot 6500k lights

04/28/2006, 09:40 PM	#12
willjeff Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, ME Posts: 444	I think I am going to try and turn my old sea clone skimmer into a reactor for rowa, has anyone done this before. __________________ PBRMEASAPDEREH Current Tank Info: 38G with 15G sump

04/28/2006, 10:52 PM	#13
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	ROWA, Phos guard __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

04/28/2006, 11:52 PM	#14
jer77 Phish Lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,642	I am still interested in the topic of phosphate absorbers. I have noticed a difference in rowaphos and phosban. I have used them both. Rowa seems to be black not brown and phosban seems to be a brownish color. I have heard the darker, blacker the media the better. I have also tried Kent's version of the iron oxide absorbant. I have noticed phosban dissolves or breaks down easier and clogs the reactor easier. Kent's version seems to be equivelent to rowaphos in my opinion, and a lot less money. I believe Knop and magnapure also makes the same stuff for cheaper. __________________ - Jonny -, 120g 5 Year Old Reef w/ SPS, BTA, Zoos & some Softies. 40g Frag Tank. 40g Sump. Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 External Cone Skimmer. 250W Radiums. TaoTronics LED. PanWorld 200PS w/SQWD

04/29/2006, 12:12 AM	#15
Reefugee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 6,105	According to this study, Rowa and Phosban both appear to work well. I use Phosban because it's cheaper. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...004/review.htm