Phosban Media Questions...

lakee911 · 09/12/2006, 05:06 AM

I've consistently had about 0.1 - 0.4 ppm of phosphate in my system. I've considered getting a phosban reactor, but I'm not sure about the media.

How long does it last?

How much does it cost?

What if it doesn't get replaced often enough?

Thx,
Jason

AZDesertRat · 09/12/2006, 10:58 AM

Phosban is an iron based media, granular ferric oxide. A normal container size, 150 grams I believe, should last 2 to 3 months or longer. It does not release phosphates and other things back in to the water once it is exhausted. It is kind of expensive at $15 or so but works well. I do not have any experience with other medias in reef systems but do use GFO for arsenic removal in potable drinking water systems which is waht is actually designed for. For drinking water aluminum based media is not recommended as it will begin to release captured contaminants as it does not have as strong a bond.

Driftwood · 09/12/2006, 01:09 PM

I built my own Reactor and used this stuff:

Kent Marine Phosphate Sponge Filter Media
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ne.asp?CartId=

It cost me $17.99 for a big container of it at my LFS, and my DIY reactor holds the entire container. After it is all used up, there are directions on the container on how to recharge the media. I'm not sure how well this works, but sounds promising.

lakee911 · 09/12/2006, 03:22 PM

Can I see a pic of your DIY reactor?

Thanks,
Jason

flyyyguy · 09/12/2006, 04:24 PM

Pick your poison. Rowaphos and phosban is iron based. All the rest are aluminum based as well as are more likely to leach the crap back in. If you must, run rowa or phosban.

USC-fan · 09/12/2006, 06:29 PM

any difference between ROWaphos and phosban? Is it worth the extra money to get phosban?

Also what Phosban Reactors are you guys using?

AZDesertRat · 09/12/2006, 06:41 PM

Truth be told they probably both come from the same source in Germany. I know Phosban does, its the same stuff used in drinking water treatment for arsenic.

USC-fan · 09/12/2006, 06:52 PM

that looks to be true. Just found this article on the different brands.

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

Ti · 09/12/2006, 07:07 PM

Rowa worked best for me

Driftwood · 09/14/2006, 06:52 AM

I will get a shot of my DIY Reactor. I basicly took a foot or so of 2" PVC and bought two end caps that have screw-off ends. I drilled 1/2" holes in each end and used plastic maple syrup taps as hose connectors. I connected it to a maxijet 900 with a 1/2" hose. I also made two disks out of acrylic that fit perfectly into the screw-off end caps. I drilled a bunch of holes in these disks and they help to distribute the water evenly into the reactor.

I'll get up some pic's and my phospate readings tonight if I can.

09/12/2006, 05:06 AM	#1
lakee911 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,988	Phosban Media Questions... I've consistently had about 0.1 - 0.4 ppm of phosphate in my system. I've considered getting a phosban reactor, but I'm not sure about the media. How long does it last? How much does it cost? What if it doesn't get replaced often enough? Thx, Jason

09/12/2006, 04:24 PM	#5
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	Pick your poison. Rowaphos and phosban is iron based. All the rest are aluminum based as well as are more likely to leach the crap back in. If you must, run rowa or phosban. __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

09/12/2006, 07:07 PM	#9
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	Rowa worked best for me __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

09/12/2006, 10:58 AM	#2
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Phosban is an iron based media, granular ferric oxide. A normal container size, 150 grams I believe, should last 2 to 3 months or longer. It does not release phosphates and other things back in to the water once it is exhausted. It is kind of expensive at $15 or so but works well. I do not have any experience with other medias in reef systems but do use GFO for arsenic removal in potable drinking water systems which is waht is actually designed for. For drinking water aluminum based media is not recommended as it will begin to release captured contaminants as it does not have as strong a bond.

09/12/2006, 01:09 PM	#3
Driftwood Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gardiner, ME Posts: 841	I built my own Reactor and used this stuff: Kent Marine Phosphate Sponge Filter Media http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ne.asp?CartId= It cost me $17.99 for a big container of it at my LFS, and my DIY reactor holds the entire container. After it is all used up, there are directions on the container on how to recharge the media. I'm not sure how well this works, but sounds promising.

09/12/2006, 03:22 PM	#4
lakee911 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,988	Can I see a pic of your DIY reactor? Thanks, Jason

09/12/2006, 06:29 PM	#6
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	any difference between ROWaphos and phosban? Is it worth the extra money to get phosban? Also what Phosban Reactors are you guys using?

09/12/2006, 06:41 PM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Truth be told they probably both come from the same source in Germany. I know Phosban does, its the same stuff used in drinking water treatment for arsenic.

09/12/2006, 06:52 PM	#8
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	that looks to be true. Just found this article on the different brands. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...004/review.htm

09/14/2006, 06:52 AM	#10
Driftwood Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gardiner, ME Posts: 841	I will get a shot of my DIY Reactor. I basicly took a foot or so of 2" PVC and bought two end caps that have screw-off ends. I drilled 1/2" holes in each end and used plastic maple syrup taps as hose connectors. I connected it to a maxijet 900 with a 1/2" hose. I also made two disks out of acrylic that fit perfectly into the screw-off end caps. I drilled a bunch of holes in these disks and they help to distribute the water evenly into the reactor. I'll get up some pic's and my phospate readings tonight if I can.