Salifert Phosphate Binder?

bdare · 04/15/2008, 07:42 AM

Does this stuff work? Here's the description:

Phosphate Eliminator binds phosphate and is removed by skimming more effectively than normal. When we dose it to the reef or marine aquarium, it immediately makes phosphate unavailable to algae. It also avoids binding of phosphate to corals, live rock and sand, increasing the ability of corals and calcareous algae to grow much faster. The phosphate bound by this supplement and not removed by skimming within 24 hours will be set free again by bacterial action. This will be especially the case when dealing with a rather high phosphate concentration. Daily dosage is required in such cases. Increased phosphate concentration in the skimmed foam will be observed a couple of hours after Phosphate Eliminator has been dosed. Measurement of the aquarium water, when using Phosphate Eliminator will not show that this supplement has bound the phosphate. That is, a test will not give a lower reading. The reason for this is that phosphate test kits require acidic reagents lowering the pH below 4, and such a low pH re dissolves the bound phosphate. Therefore, measurement of the skimmed foam gives information about the effectiveness of this supplement. While a measurement of the aquarium water gives information on how much phosphate (bound + free) is still there.

Prolonged high phosphate concentration results in binding of phosphate to live rock and sand. When the phosphate concentration gets lower (by using this supplement), the phosphate bound to live rock and sand is set free. Or to put it differently; the aquarium decoration is getting cleaner with respect to phosphate. Therefore it might appear as no phosphate is being removed. Again measurement of phosphate in the skimmed foam will show if additional phosphate is being removed or not.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/15/2008, 08:05 AM

I'm not sure exactly what it is. Perhaps soluble iron or lanthanum salts that precipitate and remove some phosphate that way.

Do you have any now?

I generally prefer phosphate binders where you know that you have exported it, such as particulate iron binders (GFO), which they also sell as Salifert Phosphate Killer (and I have used).

bdare · 04/15/2008, 08:16 AM

Hey Randy,

I don't have any of this as I generally view products like these as snake oil, but for some reason I trust Salifert.

Ben

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/15/2008, 08:40 AM

Knowing Habib, I would trust them that it works. I just cannot know if it is the best option without knowing what it is.

04/15/2008, 07:42 AM	#1
bdare Salty Dude Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,322 Blog Entries: 3	Salifert Phosphate Binder? Does this stuff work? Here's the description: Phosphate Eliminator binds phosphate and is removed by skimming more effectively than normal. When we dose it to the reef or marine aquarium, it immediately makes phosphate unavailable to algae. It also avoids binding of phosphate to corals, live rock and sand, increasing the ability of corals and calcareous algae to grow much faster. The phosphate bound by this supplement and not removed by skimming within 24 hours will be set free again by bacterial action. This will be especially the case when dealing with a rather high phosphate concentration. Daily dosage is required in such cases. Increased phosphate concentration in the skimmed foam will be observed a couple of hours after Phosphate Eliminator has been dosed. Measurement of the aquarium water, when using Phosphate Eliminator will not show that this supplement has bound the phosphate. That is, a test will not give a lower reading. The reason for this is that phosphate test kits require acidic reagents lowering the pH below 4, and such a low pH re dissolves the bound phosphate. Therefore, measurement of the skimmed foam gives information about the effectiveness of this supplement. While a measurement of the aquarium water gives information on how much phosphate (bound + free) is still there. Prolonged high phosphate concentration results in binding of phosphate to live rock and sand. When the phosphate concentration gets lower (by using this supplement), the phosphate bound to live rock and sand is set free. Or to put it differently; the aquarium decoration is getting cleaner with respect to phosphate. Therefore it might appear as no phosphate is being removed. Again measurement of phosphate in the skimmed foam will show if additional phosphate is being removed or not.

04/15/2008, 08:05 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I'm not sure exactly what it is. Perhaps soluble iron or lanthanum salts that precipitate and remove some phosphate that way. Do you have any now? I generally prefer phosphate binders where you know that you have exported it, such as particulate iron binders (GFO), which they also sell as Salifert Phosphate Killer (and I have used). __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

04/15/2008, 08:40 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Knowing Habib, I would trust them that it works. I just cannot know if it is the best option without knowing what it is. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

04/15/2008, 08:16 AM	#3
bdare Salty Dude Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,322 Blog Entries: 3	Hey Randy, I don't have any of this as I generally view products like these as snake oil, but for some reason I trust Salifert. Ben